Morgan breaks silence to pledge future to the Robins

He has been linked with the Penrith Panthers job for 2012 and mentioned as a replacement for Terry Matterson at Castleford if his fellow Australian decides to go home at the end of the year.

However, Morgan yesterday broke his silence and insisted he will see out the remaining 18 months of his contract while admitting he can understand supporters’ current fears about the club’s form.

Inconsistent Rovers are ailing in 11th spot, five points outside of the play-off spots and facing an uphill battle to qualify for the end of season finale.

The derby win over Hull FC three weeks ago was a rare respite in a demoralising run which saw them prosper just once in four Super League fixtures.

Three defeats during that spell saw Rovers leak 40 points or more against Wigan, Leeds and leaders Warrington, the latter being Sunday’s particularly abject home reverse which reportedly left the club considering Morgan’s future.

However, the position of Morgan, the longest serving coach in Super League since taking over at Craven Park in August 2005, is not believed to be under immediate threat.

But, having reached the play-offs in the last three seasons since having earlier gained promotion in his first full campaign, expectant fans are used to success.

Morgan insists there have been no discussions with either of those clubs believed to be monitoring his situation but the rumours have not aided his cause of turning Rovers’ fortunes around.

“It is damaging for them, for my club and damaging for everybody,” said the 35 year-old. “Rumour and speculation doesn’t do anybody any good.

“It might sell newspapers but it doesn’t do people any good.

“There’s been no official approach from any club to me directly or to the club.

“I’m contracted to this club and I’ve got a job to do here.

“The speculation has been very distracting for a lot of people, but in saying that, I’m working hard and I’m very focused on ensuring I get the job done.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m contracted to the club and if that changes then no doubt everybody will be informed. My job – and I’m firmly focused on it – is winning games.

“The immediate issues for me are making sure we improve our performance. That’s been the remit from my boss and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”

Morgan has undoubtedly had a major influence on the East Yorkshire outfit after leading them into the top flight and then establishing them as a top-eight side.

It may, though, be that he has taken Rovers as far as he can while the Willie Mason saga has clearly had a negative effect on their ambitions this term.

That caused severe disruption on and off the field, as did injuries to key Australians Michael Dobson and Clint Newton.

However, those two players are back and Kiwi centre Jake Webster is also set to return from injury at Harlequins on Saturday.

Morgan is keen to remind the Robins faithful that there is plenty still that can be achieved in 2011.

“I’m realistic and understand that they want to see their team win,” he said.

“They work hard Monday to Friday, come here on the weekend and want to walk away with a smile on their face. I can understand some of their frustration and I’m as equally frustrated as some of those guys.

“You can’t force or make people believe one thing or another. They have their own mind to make up.

“But the season’s not done yet. There’s still a third of the games to go, the Challenge Cup to go about and I don’t want to sound like we’re doing a post-season review.

“I still have a lot of belief and faith that the season can be a successful one. Certainly, the fans will understand that the club has been very good to them over the years.

“Have some faith and trust in the people that run the club to make good decisions. We all make bad decisions every once in a while and everybody does that every once in a while in their work place.

“Overall, the people who are in charge of the club have done the right thing by it, and when people get all uptight and anxious about things they have to sit back and think about that.”

Morgan maintains he still has the full support of chairman Neil Hudgell and directors – their relationship is “as strong as ever” – and the backing of his playing squad.

“For the board and for Neil, it would be difficult to see success over the last five years and then see the season we’ve experienced so far this year,” admitted Morgan.

“That would be difficult for anybody and it’s difficult for us.

“But the support and the relationship hasn’t strained one little bit. I’m very happy with that because of the ground work we’ve put in over the years.

“There’s a lot of goodwill that’s been earned.

“They still want me to do better, no doubt. Even in previous years, there’s always reviewing of performance. There’s always areas where you can get better and improve all the time, even if you’ve had successful seasons.”

Victory this weekend would do much to assuage mounting concerns from disillusioned supporters and Morgan concluded: “Don’t write us off just yet.”