Under pressure Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall joked that he was “saying my own eulogy” following his side’s seventh loss in eight games on Sunday.
The Tigers are desperately trying to avoid a fourth straight wooden spoon, with the club once again finding itself inside the bottom four after just six wins from 17 games this season.
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But Marshall was philosophical when asked about his future following their latest loss to the Warriors and said he couldn’t worry about the board losing patience in his vision for the club.
“I’m not worried about the patience, the day the club feels like I’m not the right guy, that will take care of itself,” he said.
“My job is to keep pushing in the direction that I think is best for the club, which I feel like we’re doing.
“Obviously the more you lose the more the pressure mount and the more the conversation starts about your role and your job and are you the right person but I can’t take any notice of that, my priority is what’s best for the team.
“Moving forward there are definitely things we need to work on. The long-term picture is on track to getting there but we have a lot of work to do.”
Marshall’s position has come under increased scrutiny this season, with the 40-year-old facing accusations of being too close with his players.
‘F****** b*******!’ Benji FUMES at call | 00:27
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It’s the same criticism both Brad Fittler and Trent Barrett faced under similar circumstances, when they took on head coaching roles shortly after their playing careers.
But second-year coach Benji said criticism is simply “part of the job” and emphasised the outside noise won’t change his approach.
“When you take these jobs you understand what comes with it. People talk about pressure and yeah sure but the pressure is because you want the guys to do well and the reason I do this job is because I want to turn the club around and I actually believe that I can,” he said.
“So you can’t listen to the noise and you have to keep pushing forward and keep fighting for what you think is right and the rest will take care of itself.
“I’ve got good people around me and … I feel like I’m saying my eulogy … I’m good mate, I’m all good.”
Tigers skipper Api Koroisau added: “We love him, we think he’s doing a great job and he really is for the players. He’s one of those coaches that does everything for us and obviously the results are going our way but we’re doing everything for him.”
