Potter on brink at Worst Tigers

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Mick Potter is under extreme pressure at the Tigers. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

MICK Potter has just 80 minutes on Friday night at Parramatta Stadium to save his crumbling coaching career.

The Daily Telegraph understands Potter is likely to be asked to walk away if Wests Tigers are beaten by last-placed Parramatta.

The match pits the competition's two bottom teams against one another.

There are powerful elements inside Wests Tigers who believe Potter should quit on Friday night if his side is defeated by the Eels, who have lost their past 10.

"At least he would go out with some dignity," one well-placed source said.

Should Potter choose to fight on, there is every chance he would be sacked before the end of this season.

Wests Tigers under-20s coach, Todd Payten, would become caretaker coach.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Potter's communication skills with players are one reason behind his impending demise.

Potter would almost have to win the remaining five games this year to retain his coaching spot for next year.

The Tigers are a club in crisis, with directors told of the embarrassment they face by dumping Potter. It was the same board which appointed him only a year ago.

And sacking Potter means the club, already struggling financially and still paying out last year's axed coach Tim Sheens, would be paying three coaches next season.

Potter was on Thursday defiant, saying: "I'm confident of keeping my job next year. How confident? Do you want a 10 out of 10 or nine out of 10?

"I don't know. I'm confident of keeping my job."

Potter stressed he had the support of his players.

"Because the players are still playing to the best of their ability," he said.

"I'm confident those young guys we have are going to get better in the future and the senior guys will keep doing the job for us. I think I'm doing a good job. I'm confident I'm doing a good job.

"The signs are there the club is moving forward.

"There are a lot of young guys who are stepping up right now.

"We are not getting the results right now but the future is looking good."

Asked about his future, Potter said: "You are never really sure but I understand I'm under contract for another 12 months. I'm confident of keeping my job. I take responsibility for the football team.

"We are where we are a little bit because of circumstances beyond our control but we have had a tough year. We don't shy away from that but I'm confident the club is moving forward."

Wests Tigers on Thursday issued a statement in an attempt to clarify their position on Potter.

"In regards to head coach Mick Potter, there is no doubt that he has had some outstanding success as coach and he was obviously a tremendously gifted player," the statement said.

"That aside, the board and management of the club need to fully understand the position we find ourselves in and work with Mick to come to the best outcome for both himself and the club.

"Over the closing five rounds of the competition, the club fully expects that the coaching staff and the players continue to take pride in their personal performance and understand that winning starts from within. This is a proud club and we fully expect that every person that is fortunate enough to represent the club understands what it means to be a Wests Tiger."

On Triple M on Thursday, Matt Johns and Mark Geyer were perplexed at a probable axing.

"If they get rid of Mick Potter, it's crystal clear that he was just brought in there for the short term to make some tough decisions and then `see you later'. It's unfair," Johns said.

Geyer said: "He has had a total distraction all year with his star player. Give him a year without the dramas, a year on his own, and see how he flourishes." 

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