Who would want to be a head coach?

They include Graham Steadman - the former York hero - at Castleford Tigers and Neil Kelly at Widnes Vikings, who, if you believe various sources, are both on borrowed time. But neither of them have simply become bad coaches overnight.

Having been a close friend of Neil's and knowing how he operates - I played with him and for him at Dewsbury - I know he will be doing everything in his power to turn things around. His record as a coach over the last five years will stand up against anyone's, which begs the questions:

Who would Widnes appoint should Neil depart his post?

If the Widnes board had publicly backed Neil earlier, both in contract talks and in the transfer marker, would they be in a healthier state at the moment?

Neil released about seven or eight players last season and, to my knowledge, only one has been picked up by another Super League club. Surely this vindicates his judgement.

He wants to take the club forward but I would guess that he would be frustrated that these players have only been replaced by players of a similar ilk.

Coaches in Australia very rarely seem to depart their clubs early or during the season yet over here it seems to be the norm for the coaches' heads to roll, even after only four games of the regular season.

And this begs another question: who would want to be a head coach?

I hope both these coaches every luck in turning their teams around this season.

I would like to applaud the Evening Press for sponsoring the new Knights' Player of the Month Award. It's a great idea to get the supporters involved and I am sure it's an incentive for the players. Whether they admit it or not, it's always nice to receive recognition - especially when it's from the supporters - and it is another thing that helps lift the profile of our club, which has risen quite significantly this season through the efforts of the local press and of course the achievements of the players.

It's all good positive vibes for the club and the players.

Simon Friend won the inaugural award and I think it's well deserved.

We said when Simon arrived here from Australia that we felt he would get better and better and he has done just that.

His professionalism and attitude rubs off on those around him and his performances get stronger and stronger. I personally believe he will be one of the stand out players in National League Two this year.

As regards the Knights' game against Dewsbury on Sunday, apologies are due to Evening Press reporter Peter Martini and all of the press corps - and, of course, the readers and listeners wanting to know what I thought of the game - as I had to rush off to a friend's wedding that day at the famous golf course in Warwickshire, The Belfry.

Due to our game, I had to let him down over the best man's duties, but I would like to take this opportunity to wish John and Karen Jepson (John is a former Wakefield Trinity winger) best wishes for the future.

Best wishes are also due to Harrison Morgan Briggs. No, not a firm of solicitors, but Knights prop Dan Briggs and his partner Shelley's new arrival.

When Dan asked for time off to go to antenatal classes, I offered him a way out by blaming me for insisting he had to go to training. However, he knew how the land lied. I hope the classes came in useful Briggsy. All the best to the three of you.

Updated: 09:13 Wednesday, April 07, 2004