AS WARRINGTON Wolves suffer a terrible run of form, many supporters have turned their anger towards chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick.

During last Friday's defeat at Hull KR, chants calling for his departure could be heard from the away end while many on social media have criticised his tenure at the club.

Here, Guardian sports reporter Matt Turner puts some of the fans' big concerns to the chief executive...

MT: I guess the start to the season had the potential to be a bit bumpy but things definitely aren’t going to plan at the moment?

KF: Of course – we’re disappointed with performances to date.

We set off with three wins which were great to get on the board but if we’re being honest, we didn’t play great in those three games.

There were periods in those games and in the game at Saints as well where we did show bits – Castleford was probably our best performance and even in that, we weren’t too happy with it.

And then obviously with the recent run, the performances have been extremely disappointing, but we believe in the coaching team and what they’re trying to do.

Warrington Guardian:

Friday's defeat at Hull KR was Warrington Wolves' fifth in succession - their worst run of results since 2017. Picture by SWPix.com

There’s some growing pains at the moment, we’re all hurting but we’re determined to put that right.

Daryl’s come in with a different management style to Steve (Price, former head coach) and with different philosophies, tactics and style of play. It’s just working with the players to get them to understand what he’s trying to do and implementing it on game day.

I suppose it’s like the players learning a new language – it’s a totally different style of play to what they’re used to and there’s growing pains but it’s under control.

We know where we’re at, we’re not hiding away from it but we’re all determined to get it right and are working around the clock to resolve it.

We are where we are and we understand that but we’re very confident Daryl will improve the team.

MT: Daryl seems to be scratching his head as much as anybody about why things are the way they are at the minute but do you and the board retain 100 per cent faith in him to turn it around?

KF: 100 per cent. He’s got a proven track record of improving teams and improving players. It’s just taking a little bit longer than we anticipated.

We’re on this journey together and we’re confident he will improve us, no doubt about that.

Warrington Guardian:

Daryl Powell is in his first season as Warrington Wolves head coach. Picture by Mike Boden

MT: Can you understand why supporters are so unhappy at the moment, though?

There was the low attendance at the Challenge Cup game and while there were mitigating factors for that, do you accept there was an element of fans voting with their feet?

KF: Like you say, there are mitigating factors.

Challenge Cup attendances have been poor for a number of years now and you can throw a few other factors in there, but I don’t want to make excuses.

Does form play a part in it? Absolutely it does. We’re not naïve enough to think it doesn’t play a part.

But in terms of fans voting with their feet, we need their support more than ever now. We’re still in a difficult financial position, dealing with the residual effects of Covid.

We need the supporters if we’re going to get through this but I totally understand their frustration.

We’re hurting as much as they are but we need their support more than ever now.

Warrington Guardian:

The Wire's Challenge Cup defeat to Wakefield Trinity last month was watched by a crowd of 2,627 - the lowest ever attendance for a competitive fixture at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. Picture by Mike Boden

MT: A lot of criticism has been directed at you personally for your role – is that criticism you accept and do you feel you can get through this period?

KF: Of course it is.

This position comes with responsibility and if it means pressure is taken off the players and off the coach, I’m cool with that.

I’ve had personal emails come through, there’s chants at games and I get it.

This is no bulls**t, I spend every waking hour thinking about this club, this organisation and how we can make it better. That’s always been the same and that’s not changed.

I’m not saying it’s nice or easy to hear, but I get it and if the supporters vent their frustration at me and not the players, that’s fine.

You’ve got to have cast-iron shoulders in this job but look, I’m a rugby man and have been in this sport since I was six years of age.

I’m as passionate about this sport and about this club than anybody, but I do get it.

MT: One perception among the supporters is that there is too much focus on off-field things – NFTs, Whizzy Rascal and the like – and not enough on what’s happening on the field, which is ultimately what fans pay to see. What do you say to that?

KF: It’s a good question and I’ve had emails come through saying that – things like I’m more interested in merchandise sales than winning games.

That’s not true at all.

Our primary objective at this club is to win the Grand Final. Without question, that is our number one objective.

Are the two things mutually exclusive? Does it have to be one or the other? No – I think we can do both.

We’ll try and promote the game as best we can and we probably have a reputation within Super League now as marketing better than any other club.

The brand exposure we’ve had has been incredible, but our primary focus is on winning games and winning that Grand Final.

We have a marketing team that are doing their job but to say my focus is solely on that – yes I have to be across it, but my primary focus is winning games.

I think it’s an easy target when things aren’t going well – nobody moaned about Whizzy Rascal when we won that game, let’s be honest.

Warrington Guardian:

The appearance of 'Whizzy Rascal' prior to the home game against Castleford Tigers went viral on social media. Picture by Mike Boden