'I don't get that': Manly players comments that confused Phil Gould after stunning turnaround
Phil Gould has revealed the one aspect of Manly's win he couldn't understand after an incredible turnaround following the sacking of coach Anthony Seibold.
Under Kieran Foran's tutelage, Manly went from a winless start to the season to a side capable of defeating the Dolphins 52-18 away from home.
On Nine's 100% Footy, Paul Gallen admitted the match was a "free hit" for Manly given the situation, describing the Dolphins as "absolutely horrendous" and "woeful".
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"Their defensive efforts were horrible," he said.
But the performance of the Dolphins has been forgotten amid the resurgence of Manly.
Gould believes the next match won't be as simple for the new coach Foran.
Phil Gould and Manly's players. Nine/Getty
"He's had his whole life to get ready for that game, he'll have seven days to get ready for the second one and that won't be easy, they'll come up against a desperate Dragons team," he said.
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The league expert went on to say how amazed he was by the difference in quality from Seibold's side to the one that ran out under Foran.
"It just shows the importance of mental preparation and mental strength in sport," he said.
"That's the same team that for the last three weeks has been getting booed and down trodden and lost their coach. And then all of a sudden in the space of a week, because you change the coach, players turn up.
"When they were interviewed after the game, they were making comments like 'we just had to win this week'. Well why didn't you just have to win last week? I don't get that."
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Despite his surprise at the level of commitment from Sea Eagles players, Gould admitted the Manly board will be given no choice but to appoint Foran permanently if the run goes on.
"When you play like that, the sky's the limit. Who's to say they can't keep that going all the way through the year?" he said.
"And if they do, Kieran Foran, they'd be mad not to appoint him as the coach if that's what he can extract from them. But it's amazing you get a performance like that after what they've been through in the first part of the competition."
