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'Not good enough for this club': 'Disappointed' Shane Flanagan and Damien Cook issues an apology to Dragons faithful

Alyssa Bone
Alyssa Bone

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Shane Flanagan has yet to find the answer to turn the Dragons' season around, but the disappointed coach has issued an apologetic message to the club's fans.

A loss to the Cowboys saw the Dragons reach a historic new low as players had to come to terms with being the first group in 15 years to record a 0-5 start to the season.

Pressure has been mounting on the group and coach Flanagan over the past month to produce a positive result this season, but no one has managed to find the answer.

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On Saturday, that pressure was made clear as fans booed the team off the field twice.

Flanagan understands why fans are unhappy, but he insists he is not giving up just yet.

"It's not good enough. I completely understand that it is not good enough," he said.

"I have no excuses to put out there. It is my job over the next few days to work out why (this is happening). It just wasn't good enough."

Shane Flanagan speaks to media. Fox Footy

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Asked to give more detail on what went wrong, Flanagan kept his responses short.

"We looked like we didn't know each other at some stages, we put passes behind each other, there was a lack of cohesion. It was very disappointing," the 60-year-old added.

"I'm not trying to sugarcoat anything. I am very, very, very disappointed with the performance. I haven't got the answers for you now, I have to find them quickly.

"I fully understand the frustrations. I am as frustrated as anyone."

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Damien Cook told reporters that the playing group will take full responsibility for the recent results, suggesting that all in the team need to have a good look in the mirror.

He then issued his own apology to the fans.

"A big sorry to the fans, I mean that," the Dragon's co-captain said.

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"It is all us players. As players, we are the reason. We just need to keep working harder.

"We need to have a hard look at ourselves and make sure we are all individually doing better. We have shown at times that it works, but what we tossed up tonight was just bad. It is disappointing."

As for what happens in the near future to turn things around, Flanagan was unsure.

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There is no doubts that calls for him to be sacked will be amplified, Flanagan himself recognised that earlier in the week when he told reporters he "can not sack 30 players".

The Dragons coach reiterated that he understands the job that he needs to do.

"All I know is I can do my best," he replied when asked what needs to happen next for the Dragons.

"That is what I do every day when I go to work. I will prepare the team the best I can. It hasn't worked so far this year but I am not going to give up.

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"There were quite a few tries that should've been stopped. We are just not in sync at the moment. I have to come up with some answers and changes - that is hard.

"It is not good enough for this club. I don't accept it, I am not happy, I am terribly disappointed and I am sorry."

The Dragons will host the Manly Sea Eagles next Friday in Wollongong.

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