Last updated at 09:53, Thursday, 25 February 2010

CONGRATULATIONS to the Town, for a rare and deserved local derby win which would be churlish even for the most die hard of Haven fans not to acknowledge – and take the token stick!

But I wonder whether there’s any real kudos to be taken – Whitehaven were so poor.

Haven’s faithful among one of the lowest local derby (763) crowds will draw little consolation from watching a more competitive derby.

Town fans were able to take the mickey – well it’s been a long time coming!

Haven’s emphatic 22-14 reversal has brought a maelstrom of criticism. Neither head coach Ged Stokes nor the direct-ors have escaped.

The criticisms are understandable but undeserved and premature. Chairman Dick Raaz has made it known before the game that there was spare recruitment cash – preferably for longer termers – but Ged (and the board) want the right players at the right price. Irons are said to be in the fire.

The head coach has produced some tremendous results but still struggles to win over some of the die-hards – no doubt for his Workington connection!

But however frustrated and angry fans may feel those calls for the head of Ged Stokes are not credible in the wake of three bad defeats. Another abrupt exit from the Northern Rail Cup is unacceptable – but not tantamount to a sacking!

This will be the furthest thing from the minds of the directors who have the utmost faith in Mr Stokes’ abilities to look after the team and spend any disposal income wisely.

At the same time it behoves the coaches to turn things round quickly – it’s vital, as I said last week, to balance the books but the trick is not to feel the draught at the turnstiles.

There are enough good players left on the books to do better, pending the arrival of any new recruits (from Australia or closer to home); it is up to the coaches to get the best out of players and for them to respond, with or without Leroy Joe.

Doing the basics right and following game plans is clearly a prerequisite to playing well.

But what a lot of us can’t be too happy about is what comes after the game – Mr Stokes seemingly haranguing his errant charges on the field of play. It’s becoming a habit – like losing.

Is this a punishment? Keeping the players out in the winter’s cold after battling through harsh conditions as they did at Derwent Park. It took an age. If it’s a straightforward dressing down, a rollicking or maybe just to point out a thing or two, then surely it’s best done in the privacy of the changing room.

Two Phil Brown-type on the field assemblies are quite enough – sometimes it’s least said the better or kept for the confines of the changing room.

While Haven couldn’t have been much worse last Sunday the coach insisted there was no lack of effort but Town evidently wanted to win more.

It’s just a pity Haven have no game this weekend – they need to get back on the horse ASAP but there’s no time to be lost in training and preparation.

Radio Cumbria’s John Cox took the bull by the horns by suggesting to Mr Stokes that if there was much more of the same Haven could be looking down the barrels of Champion-ship relegation.

If Ged appeared a little bit indignant at the very suggestion, then his team’s performances so far have lacked dignity to say the very least.

“It’s a little bit premature to talk about relegation, individual errors are hurting us but to talk about relegation at this stage of the season,” he said.

For Town, it was very much Kaighan’s day, last week it seemed a little Keegan-esque – Gary Charlton just loving to beat his old team. Here’s hoping Town really are on the up – same goes for the old enemy!

First published at 15:43, Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk