TonyK
CibbuanoWallace rejects sack talk
April 13th 2009 20:41
RICHMOND coach Terry Wallace has dismissed suggestions there is any extra pressure on him or his team following the Tigers' 47-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Easter Monday.
The Tigers have now lost their first three matches of the season and face last year's wooden spooners Melbourne next weekend in what is a must-win match for the club.
Wallace knows another loss would spell disaster in a year in which Richmond needs to play finals for the first time since 2001 for him to keep his job.
"Clearly we need to do the next few weeks right - we know that, we understand the situation and we are not running and hiding," a defiant Wallace said at his post-match press conference.
But Wallace, who is in the fifth and final year of his contract, denied there was any extra pressure on him or the team to win.
"In all honesty I don't think so at all. What you've got to do is just stay true to yourselves and get on with what's coming up over the next couple of weeks," Wallace said.
Wallace said most people would have expected his side to be 0-3 given their draw which has seen them play two of last year's top four in Geelong and the Dogs as well as big improvers Carlton.
"We came into the season and we all got the draw four months ago, and you all know where it sits. If I went around the room, I reckon there'd be less than half of you who picked us in one game out of three so far," he said.
"Probably most of you would've thought that we'd be in this situation – certainly some of you would've picked us in round one – but I don't think many have picked us in round two or three.
Wallace also conceded his side doesn't have the skills to match the top teams in the competiton.
"At the moment we're not showing that. . . We've got guys we've brought into the team that have turned the ball over at critical times of matches," he said.
"They have a go - that's a very tough thing as a coach - it's very difficult to come back into the changerooms when you know guys are having an absolute red hot crack for you, but their skill level is not up to it."
Meanwhile, Wallace defended Richard Tambling after the midfielder failed to have an impact in the loss to the Dogs.
Tambling had just one touch up to half-time and finished the match with 12 disposals.
Wallace said there were extenuating circumstances behind Tambling's poor performance
"All I'll say in Richard's defence is that it's been a pretty big 72 hours for him," Wallace said.
"He had the birth of his daughter two evenings ago and got no sleep the day before the game, so he's had a pretty (difficult) run. It's always an emotional time in anyone's life.
"He didn't play in the manner in which he would like to. I don't know whether he was aware, but I heard the reaction of the crowd, and he's got to live with that."
The Tigers have now lost their first three matches of the season and face last year's wooden spooners Melbourne next weekend in what is a must-win match for the club.
Wallace knows another loss would spell disaster in a year in which Richmond needs to play finals for the first time since 2001 for him to keep his job.
"Clearly we need to do the next few weeks right - we know that, we understand the situation and we are not running and hiding," a defiant Wallace said at his post-match press conference.
But Wallace, who is in the fifth and final year of his contract, denied there was any extra pressure on him or the team to win.
"In all honesty I don't think so at all. What you've got to do is just stay true to yourselves and get on with what's coming up over the next couple of weeks," Wallace said.
Wallace said most people would have expected his side to be 0-3 given their draw which has seen them play two of last year's top four in Geelong and the Dogs as well as big improvers Carlton.
"We came into the season and we all got the draw four months ago, and you all know where it sits. If I went around the room, I reckon there'd be less than half of you who picked us in one game out of three so far," he said.
"Probably most of you would've thought that we'd be in this situation – certainly some of you would've picked us in round one – but I don't think many have picked us in round two or three.
Wallace also conceded his side doesn't have the skills to match the top teams in the competiton.
"At the moment we're not showing that. . . We've got guys we've brought into the team that have turned the ball over at critical times of matches," he said.
"They have a go - that's a very tough thing as a coach - it's very difficult to come back into the changerooms when you know guys are having an absolute red hot crack for you, but their skill level is not up to it."
Meanwhile, Wallace defended Richard Tambling after the midfielder failed to have an impact in the loss to the Dogs.
Tambling had just one touch up to half-time and finished the match with 12 disposals.
Wallace said there were extenuating circumstances behind Tambling's poor performance
"All I'll say in Richard's defence is that it's been a pretty big 72 hours for him," Wallace said.
"He had the birth of his daughter two evenings ago and got no sleep the day before the game, so he's had a pretty (difficult) run. It's always an emotional time in anyone's life.
"He didn't play in the manner in which he would like to. I don't know whether he was aware, but I heard the reaction of the crowd, and he's got to live with that."
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