Luke Beveridge says he accepts hypothesis over his future is a consequence of the Western Bulldogs’ poor begin to the season however is not going to be distracted from righting the ship.
The Western Bulldogs coach stated he was conscious criticism of him was “reasonably intense” following a horror 0-2 begin to the season however didn’t really feel a necessity to answer his detractors.
“There’s no rebuttals, there’s no use me arguing against it, basically we haven’t started the year well,” Beveridge stated.
“Does it affect my belief in myself as a coach? Absolutely not. We’re in a really good place to rebound out of it.
“All that I do is focus on what I can influence and control – I can’t do anything about what the speculation is.”
Brisbane looms as an enormous impediment to the Bulldogs claiming their first win of the season on Thursday evening, however Beveridge stated he was attempting to “not be overbearing” on his gamers coming off a five-day break.
The Bulldogs nonetheless wanted to play with freedom and aptitude to win matches regardless of the problems they confronted with sustaining their defensive form on the sphere, Beveridge stated.
“We’ve had some discussions, and it’s striking a balance between making sure they’ve got clarity tomorrow night and also understanding the pressing need to make sure we give a really strong account of ourselves,” he stated.
“I think it’s more the nature of the losses that’s got everyone up in arms.
“Defending as a team and the pressure aspect of the game hasn’t been where it needs to be … training has been focused on that, but as I said, in a short turnaround you can’t do a lot of it.”
The coach stated he was “steering clear” of fuelling any animosity in direction of the Lions and final season’s greatest and fairest winner Josh Dunkley.
“There’s too many imperatives and priorities for us to make sure we get right for there to be this side aspect of Josh … he had a pretty good game last week, and as I said, he’s got some pretty influential teammates around him up there as well.
“We need to get our stuff right from our brigade who are playing those roles, and Josh will just be another Brisbane player.”
Beveridge was tight-lipped on any choice news forward of Wednesday evening’s staff announcement however confirmed Jamarra Ugle-Hagan would play after the younger ahead took time away from the membership on Monday following abhorrent racial abuse on Saturday evening.
Small ahead Arthur Jones will make his debut in opposition to the Lions, whereas it’s unclear whether or not injured duo Adam Treloar and Rory Lobb might be obtainable for choice.
Source: www.news.com.au
