Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire is facing the axe after another wasted season, a former player has pinpointed his biggest issue.
Former Wests Tigers star Josh Reynolds believes coach Michael Maguire is struggling to come up with a game style that suits his team’s strengths.
Pressure is mounting on Maguire as the club ponders another wasted season, which saw the Tigers finish 13th on the ladder with only eight wins to their name.
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The club has missed out on finals action for a 10th straight year, continuing the longest finals drought of any team in the NRL.
It had been thought Maguire might have done enough to save his job, but last weekend’s 38-0 thrashing at the hands of wooden-spooners Canterbury placed the coach firmly on the chopping block.
The Tigers have now launched a much-criticised post-season review, with Maguire’s position under heavy scrutiny.
The experienced coach has won titles with Wigan in the Super League (2010) and with South Sydney in the NRL (2014), but he has struggled to produce results during his three years in charge at the Tigers.
Reynolds, who now plays for Hull FC in the Super League after spending three years at the Tigers, argues Maguire has struggled to find a system that best suits his playing group.
“They’re (Tigers) at a bit off a crossroads,” Reynolds told Sky Sports Radio’s The Big Sports Breakfast.
“They either stick with Madge, but then they haven’t really bought too many different players … they brought Jackson Hastings in and I think he will add a bit to the squad, but not sure where he’s going to play.
“Me and Madge had a very honest relationship. He was honest with me … but I don’t think sometimes the way he wants to play suits the Tigers team.
“I had this conversation with one of the boys over here today about Madge when he was with the Wigan side.
“He said, when you had (Sam) Tomkins out the back of the play, that the Tigers are playing — he was unstoppable when they won the competition (in 2010). It obviously suited that Wigan side, but I don’t think it suits the Tigers.”
Reynolds defended the players including halfback Luke Brooks and said the constant criticism of the side’s lack of spark in attack should not fall squarely on the playing group.
The 32-year-old also believes the Tigers may decide to cut ties with Maguire and look for another coach.
“It’s a confidence thing, all they (Tigers) hear about is not making the semis,” Reynolds said.
“I think personally they still have got a fairly good squad. Whether Madge is the man there or if they go in another direction.
“Even the players, the players probably want some to change. You’ve got guys like (Luke) Brooks there — he gets the blame a lot of the time for a lot of their woes, but I watch him play and he puts his body on the line body puts his heart on the line. He cops a lot of the brunt.
“You’ve got to put players around him, I think his best footy is ahead of him.”