Catalans Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch has blamed the team’s collapse on the players and stated he had been”influenced” by the attitude of Tony Gigot.
In a meeting with Perpignan newspaper L’Independant, Guasch stated he has been devastated from the team’s current form, which contained home defeats by Hull KR and duo London Broncos.
The Dragons started the year on their 2018 Challenge Cup success and sat in third position after the Magic Weekend in May, however they will finish outside the top five after winning just three of their last 11 matches.
Guasch stated the results demonstrated that the team’s reliance on Wigan duo Sam Tomkins and Michael McIlorum, who were suspended from the fall-out in a conflict with Warrington, also accused others of being a disruptive influence.
He also pointed the finger at”six or seven players in the close of the contract” and”seven or six problems with players who do not accept being told that they will not be with us next year”.
One of the likely departures is out-of-contract France international Tony Gigot, who rejected the deal of a deal, which is off the table after Guasch lost his patience.
“We gave him all of the cards this season. I’m very influenced by his attitude,” Guasch explained. “Tony Gigot doesn’t listen to the appropriate individuals. Sooner or later, you need to be severe and I’m.”
Guasch voiced his optimism from Steve McNamara, who joined the team on a deal in June 2017.
Asked if the coach’s position was at risk, Guasch said:”No. We’ll extend his contract at the forthcoming weeks of a couple of years more.
“I can’t overstate what Steve McNamara brought to the team, saving us (from relegation) in the Million Pound Game at 2017, winning the Cup in 2018 and this season we were third in June.
“I’m not one of those men and women who say,’If we play a fantastic match, the players are very good and when we lose and we are awful, the coach is awful’.
“We will learn from the excellent lessons to make 2020 a significant year.”
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