Wests Tigers boss Justin Pascoe says Jason Taylor here to stay for 2016

TIGERS boss Justin Pascoe has spoken out on under-fire coach Jason Taylor’s future, as well as speculation Todd Payten and Ivan Cleary have been sounded out.

Tigers coach Jason Taylor pictured in the tunnel before the beginning of the Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks pre season trial game at Campbelltown Stadium , Campbelltown. Pic Jenny Evans

WESTS Tigers players better start performing for Jason Taylor because the coach is going nowhere.

That was the message from Tigers boss Justin Pascoe when he “categorically” stated that Taylor would be coaching the club for at least the remainder of this season.

Pascoe also said there was no truth to speculation that Todd Payten or Ivan Cleary had been sounded out to take charge.

Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor is feeling the heat. Picture: Jenny Evans

And there are no plans to call an extraordinary board meeting to even debate the issue ahead of Thursday’s clash against South Sydney.

While some Tigers fans have started a petition to get Taylor sacked in the wake of Saturday night’s embarrassing 60-6 capitulation in Canberra, which was the club’s sixth straight defeat, Pascoe was adamant Taylor’s job was safe.

Asked directly if Taylor would be in charge for the rest of the year, Pascoe said: “Categorically. His contract is until the end of 2017.

“Certainly at this stage we are planning to honour his contract until the end of 2017 but we will make a review, as every club does, at the end of 2016.”

As for Payten and Cleary, Pascoe said: “We have had no discussions about any coach, so that is speculation from the media, not from us.’’

Pascoe was confident the coach still had the full support of the players.

“I haven’t seen anything to suggest otherwise,” he said.

Ivan Cleary has been touted as a potential Wests Tigers coach.

“I think the whole coaching staff have made some considerable inroads and improvements in the way they go about managing the football department from last year and that will continue.

“And we will continue to aid all the football staff with all the support and resources to make sure they perform at their best.

“We have lost six in a row, (but) five of them were games that we should have and could have won.

“We are really proud of what we have been able to achieve in the last six months on and off the field in standards that are far higher than last year across the whole business.

“(Saturday night’s) effort and commitment was far below any of those standards, and for my purpose and also the club’s purpose that is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated.

“It was a performance that all those involved with should be embarrassed, and I’m sure are embarrassed.

“We have collectively five days to come back and prove to our fans and members and all stakeholders how much it hurt.’’

Originally published as Wests Tigers boss Justin Pascoe says Jason Taylor here to stay for 2016