Dragons coach Paul McGregor says team must start scoring or ‘we will look at personnel’
PERFORM or perish. That is the message Dragons coach Paul McGregor has issued his struggling players, whose positions in the side are on the chopping block.
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PERFORM or perish. That is the message Dragons coach Paul McGregor has issued his struggling players, whose positions in the side are on the chopping block.
Following their 36-0 loss at the hands of North Queensland, McGregor said it was time for players to hold themsleves to account and if they didn’t they would be replaced.
The Dragons have won two games from five matches this season but have scored just 40 points in 400 minutes of rugby league.
They are barely scoring a try per game this season in a woeful attacking effort.
They have a five day turnaround before taking on an in-form Brisbane side in Brisbane.
While their defence is typically solid and they play with resilience, they lack creativity with ball in hand.
McGregor said their attacking structure wasn’t the problem, the fault lies with players who failed to execute the structure.
“We have been tinkering with it (attack) for a while,” McGregor said.
“We have to start taking accountability and ownership of it.
“Not scoring points is not good. If it keeps going, we will look at personnel.”
The Dragons hung tough for the opening quarter of the match repelling multiple Cowboy waves but never looked like threatening the Cowboys’ line even when they had repeat sets.
“It was tough. The first 25 minutes there were good things and the right attitude but that dive over try and then another one on half time from a kick,” McGregor said.
“They came out after half time and scored another one.
“18-0 is too big of a lead against the premiers.
“I think once they scored that try and went to 18-0 our confidence went down.
“When you aren’t scoring points and then they score another one you look for an easy way out.”
Originally published as Dragons coach Paul McGregor says team must start scoring or ‘we will look at personnel’
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