Mitchell is 'tough, but fair'
Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:22
All smiles: Western Force coach John Mitchell has no worries
Under fire Western Force coach John Mitchell describes himself as a "tough", but a "fair" coach to work for.
Mitchell, addressing the media at the Force's first pre-season training session in Perth on Monday, admitted that at times he may come across a tad harsh.
However, in a frank discussion he dismissed speculation that there is a revolt brewing over his coaching style.
While media reports over the past month suggested star players - including captain Nathan Sharpe and vice-captain Matt Giteau - were at odds with the coach, Mitchell said nothing is further from the truth.
Mitchell admitted there would always be some form of friction within the club, but said most of the reports were just "rubbish".
"There's always paper speculation," Mitchell said in fronting up to the media.
"I guess and some of it [media reports] is truthful and some of it's rubbish, but certainly I've received no official feedback [from the players or the board] in this area."
He admitted there will always be room for improvement.
"I guess we all, as an organisation, have to evolve, that includes myself, the player group and the administration, to move the club forward going into a new campaign."
When asked if he was a hard man to work for, his answer was just as frank: "I think I'm fair - fair and pretty tough."
When asked if he was going to address these issues with the players during the review process, he said it would be no different from any other season.
"We always have a player review process at the end [of the season] and very frank, honest and open communication with my captain and my vice-captain.
"That's just normal process, that will happen again this year.
"I think there's always player-coach conflict in any sporting group, it's just how you manage that conflict within," Mitchell said.
Asked if he knew the source of the media speculation, the Force coach said: "I don't know where it is coming from and it doesn't really worry me, to be totally honest.
"I'm head coach of this team for the next three years and I have to prepare for campaign '09 [next season] and it's pre-season and I'm really looking forward to it.
"It's just business as usual really."
Prop AJ Whalley also said he was unaware of any player discontent.
"Mitch is a good coach," Whalley said.
"He's a hard coach, but that's how he works.
"I've been here for three years now and I don't have an issue with him."
