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Q&A with Dean Ryan 3rd Dec 2013


By Lindsay Clayton
December 4 2013

After being introduced by Darren Birch, Dean began by saying that he would answer any questions bar those about individuals. 

That clarified he talked about how 'transparency' is coming here (to do Q and A's) and that big decisions are being made in difficult times but the correct decisions are being made. Now is the time for change, we have been trying for 10 years and have not made it to the top 6. He now has a better grasp of the depth of the issues and they are being addressed.

The first question was then taken

What is the biggest change that has been made?

Not to try and patch things by buying in success. The top players don't want to come here, so buying in players means we just get overpaid players coming for the wrong reasons so we are not going to get in top players. We need to have our own home grown players.

If we are relegated then what next?

We fight like mad to get back up again. But the decision making won't change. The squad age will drop as will the wage bill. We will go with growing the young players with an Academy conveyer belt. Older players will form the frame work around which the team will be built.

How do we get loyalty from the players ?

It's crucial that the players believe that the staff will make them better and that they believe that. Chris Pennell believes it as he has just signed a 3 year contract with a year still to run on his current contract. Chris believes in the club and he, in my opinion, is International level.

Why is there a skills difference between Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams?

Mistakes are related to fatigue, pressure and practice. Fatigue is a big factor for us which is why Nick Johnston has been brought in to fix this issue. There has to be trust in the coaching staff and raising skill levels is a long term exercise. You can't just tell al player to pass and catch and expect them to improve. There has to be a behavioural change which takes time.

We have key players injured are there plans to bring in replacements?

There is no magic wand, we were competing for 60 minutes against Saints then they had a much better bench. Players who are available now (as replacements) are no good or are going to cause problems. I can't find a Courtney Laws, we have to go with what we have got. The players' conditioning hasn't been right at the club for years. The medical and conditioning aspects are under review.

How are we going about developing young players?

He was amazed that we didn't have an academy. There was nothing post 18 and no University connections. We have increased the number institutions at 14 year old that we support and the hours of input to the 16 to 18 year olds has quadrupled from 11 hour to 44 hours a month. It's a massive investment with Sam Vesty in charge but we are hoping to get a forwards coach to work alongside him. We have put in 4 to 5 years' worth of conditioning by the time a player gets to us. There is no need to recruit now.

Have there been motivational issues with His (Dean's) brutal honesty?

It's about being honest. We have had motivational issues but we are starting to see people putting their hands up. It's about cultural change, some had lost faith and this has rolled on from year to year. We are identifying those who want to do better.

There are no A games after Christmas, how can we provide enough games for the Academy players?

The A league is competitive and we've improved and we want a team that can compete week to week. We're trying to do our best. The 6 Nations is the reason there are no A games, Saints and Tigers don't want A Games when they are missing 6 or 7 1st team players. We will get the lads loans and other playing programs.

How is morale after getting slated in the press by Martin Johnston et al.

He hopes the players don't read it but he know they do, the best players are not distracted by the ramblings in the press. He holds no store by what some say in the papers. He has had success in rejuvenating 2 clubs, Falcons and Gloucester so what some say is not important.

Can we emulate the Exeter Model?

We can't be Exeter as we are not at the same starting point. They had a clear vision and have years of that planning behind them. They started their plan 8 or 9 years ago with ensuring their academy was tip top.

What will happen with European competition next year?

Sad we will not be in the HC next year (said jokingly). The funding and qualifying is unfair and the administration is poor. The HC surpasses the 6 Nations and it's sad that the English have been sidelined. But it's not an issue for us, other Premiership teams will have to find another way to challenge their players in order to keep them happy. Without the English clubs it will not be a proper competition.

Do Worcester have a problem with referees?

We have had some awful decisions and the stats from the independent assessors back that up, but we must no play the victim as it creates an environment that is unacceptable. Change the players' attitude and culture. Worcester is the nicest club to play for (with relation to fans' responses to losses) but ultimately the big clubs get the decisions.

We don't see the players mingling after games at all sharing a beer with the fans. Will that change at all?

The most competitive people are not nice when they have lost. The last thing they want is to be nice as they are raging at losing. The best players don't take losing well. It would be wrong of me to tell them to mingle and have a beer with the fans, if we get the culture right it will come naturally.

(Tongue in cheek question) Do you miss Stuart Barnes?

Stuart works very hard so he deserves the right to his opinion, others just spout without the hard work. I disagree with Stuart, he talks a lot of s**t but he has my respect.

Questioner works with Gloucester fans and wants to know if he will get an early Christmas present on the 22nd as he hangs around with the 40s?

First of all don't hang around with the 40s! It's tough playing at Kingsholm but if we can get a start we can do it.

How are the injured players coming along ?

We are thin in the back row with Jake, Semisi and Leo out. RDC has developed well, we want to develop confidence in the Amlin but it exposes players to injury so we have to be careful.

The atmosphere at Sixways isn't what it used to be, was how does that effect players?

We have seen glimpses of the best of Sixways against Tigers and Saints, but we haven't created enough for the fans to shout about. Sixways is a tough place when it's jumping. The players need to give 100% to get the noise.

How has your vision changed since you came here.

I needed to re-evaluate how I wanted to play. The players struggled with having to make choices on the pitch and the error count was too high so we had to simplify, now we execute higher up the field. Players need to make choices but that can't be grown easily.

Are there going to be new signings?

If we signed 15 players, 10 of them would be here for the wrong reasons. I am confident we can bring 3 or4 players here, not top players, but those are trapped behind a better player. We want the best youngsters from big clubs, we won't bullshit them so they know what to expect which makes us more attractive place to come for the ambitious.

We have a problem with kicking, how is that being addressed?

Chris is being developed as a kicker, kicking is a confidence thing we can only support those who we ask to kick. You can't tell them to kick an expect it to happen.

How are your family adjusting to the change between coaching and being a Sky presenter?

(Smiling broadly) I think they might prefer me being out of the house much more. I know what I was coming to do, I am competitive so Worcester was the answer and I asked Cecil if we would be given time to grow strategically and we have been given that time. My family may be happy to see the back of me (smiling) but they are supportive of the challenge.

How has the challenge here changed?

The challenge is more complex than I had envisaged, the team not used to winning makes it more difficult but the scale was understood. The long term challenge is understood. I was struggling to sleep 5/6 weeks ago trying to think of solutions. It's not always a different idea that works but a different way of selling the idea perhaps.

We have lost some good young players, would you have them back?

The more important thing is that we don't lose the next one. We have to give them what they need and support them.

Dean finished by thanking the support saying we are one of the most important elements in the success they are trying to build. He hopes that we are all in a good place in 3 or 4 years' time for us all to share a beer after a game comfortably.

Conclusions.

1) The plan will not change which ever division we are in

2) The squad will be built around a framework of older players supporting much younger squad members. The age of the squad will go down as will the wage bill.

3) There will be no more buying in players for short term gain.

4) The change of culture is core future success.

Thanks to Tony Banks for the great photographs for this article.

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Q&A with Dean Ryan 3rd Dec 2013
Discussion started by Comeonyouwarriors.co.uk , 04/12/2013 22:32
Comeonyouwarriors.co.uk
04/12/2013 22:32
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:01:02:19:55:12 by Powick Eastander.

LeicesterTigger
05/12/2013 06:18
Times are hard for you guys at the moment, but this shows that the top man who can influence change is not affraid to get in front on the fans and answer some difficult questions. That must be respected.
You have a great setup and I'm sure the performances on the field will click.
You have shown flashes but its know about putting the flashes together.

West Brom Warrior
05/12/2013 08:49
Sounds a very honest night thanks for the write up and photos. Dean is obviously very committed to his long term plan which we all need to and many are buying into.

Shoutin' Bloke
05/12/2013 16:53
Great write up PE. Thank you.

Honest summary for those that perhaps did not believe Dean's pre season 'no magic wand' evening.

Ultimately this season MAY be beyond recovery, but having voiced personal concerns as to whether Mr Ryan was going to be a good fit for the club, the honesty of his talk and the vision he has for the club, is spot on.

I wouldn't want to get the wrong side of him mind!

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