Richard Maxton | rugbyleaguelive.com | 16/05/08 | 0
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes has hit back after the brutal bagging of his half-back, Daniel Holdsworth, labelling the critical fans as "disgraceful."
In an email leaked to Bulldogs fan site The Kennel, Folkes lashed out at fans who have blamed Centerbury's poor performances on Holdsworth.
Replying to a fan's query, Folkes wrote that he was "ashamed" of the hostile treatment Holdsworth copped following the Bulldog's huge loss to Penrith last week.
His lengthy email response found its way onto the forum this week, igniting debate among Bulldogs fans who are keen to see rookie halfback Aaron Groom get a run.
Folkes didn't defend Holdsworth's form against the Panthers but said it was a poor performance from the entire team, which only increased the pressure on his half.
"Daniel had a shocker last weekend by his own admission but his effort could not be faulted," the coach said.
"It is extremely difficult to play as a half-back when your forwards are not winning the ruck and we continue to drop the ball.
"While we are obviously not entirely happy with his form he has played quite competently in a number of games (after) which funnily enough I didn't receive any congratulatory emails on this forum.
"I think it is disgraceful that Bulldog supporters are giving him such a hard time.
"You guys should be encouraging him as much as possible because the constant barrage of abuse he is copping is not helping his confidence or his desire to play for you, the fan.
"While I admire your passion, you should perhaps look for another scapegoat."
In a follow-up email Folkes condemned the fans' abuse at ANZ Stadium last week, saying Bulldogs' supporters were too quick to criticise their own team.
"I heard some of our supporters as we left the field giving Daniel a terrible pay, made me a little ashamed actually," he said.
"Unfortunately most of our fans, while passionate and mostly with good intention, have absolutely no idea how difficult it is to play NRL let alone excel.
"And, yes, sometimes it makes me cranky when the very people that we play for are the first to be critical. These guys only ever do their best, sometimes it's not good enough but they keep trying."
Folkes has stuck by his half-back, keeping Holdsworth at the scrum base for their round 10 match against the Titans at Skilled Stadium.
While some Bulldogs fans will be happy to see Groom has been named to partner him at pivot, replacing injured Ben Roberts, Folkes wrote fans should keep their coaching tips to themselves from now on.
"How many of these supporters you speak of have actually seen him play this year? I would think not that many of you."
However even now Groom is not a certainty, stomach troubles threatening to keep him out this round and prompting the Bulldogs to rush mid-season signing Joe Williams into position.
The Bulldogs hope Williams's signing and the probable arrival of Sharks half Brett Kimmorley will end their scrum base woes next year.
I think it is disgraceful that Bulldog supporters are giving him such a hard time. 
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes
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