Michael Burgess: Former coach Matthew Elliott is part of the current problem at the struggling Warriors

Matthew Elliott coached the Warriors in 29 matches. Photo / photosport.nz

It's a bit perplexing that former coach Matthew Elliott is still giving his opinions on the Warriors.

Elliott told Radio Sport yesterday that the Warriors' environment has a negative effect on players, making them worse during their time at Mt Smart.

It's an accurate but hardly novel idea, and Elliott was unable to enhance the Warriors' environment significantly during his 29-match stint in charge of the club.

But allowing Elliott to analyse what is wrong at the Auckland club is a bit like going to David Cunliffe or Andrew Little for tips on the Labour Party's recent leadership issues.

Elliott, unfortunately, contributed to the problem.

Has everyone forgotten the 62-6 embarrassment at Penrith early in Elliott's tenure in 2013?

Or consistently preferring Todd Lowrie to Elijah Taylor, to the point where Taylor decided to leave?

Or signing Jayson Bukuya and opting to release Sio Siua Takeiaho, who has been brilliant for the Roosters since?

Or comparing Carlos Tuimavave to Laurie Daley at the start of the 2014 season, then not playing him again?

Elliott talked his way into the job - on the back of a spectacular interview - managing to convince the Warriors' board and senior management that he was the way forward.

This was despite a modest record as an NRL coach, and many Australian pundits were surprised that the Warriors even considered him.

At the time Tim Sheens seemed a better option, and was keen on the job, even if only for a couple of years.

Others were also available, while Craig Bellamy was off contract at the end of the 2013 season, but the Auckland club made the mistake of going public about their pursuit of the Storm mentor.

Several players were baffled about the Elliott appointment, and the signs weren't good early on, as his abstract communication and methods tended to go over their heads.

Elliott and his strength and conditioning trainer Carl Jennings also brought in the infamous oxygen chamber (now completely disused) and the 'core cooling units', which looked like flash oven mitts as the players sat on the interchange bench.

Elliott also introduced some radical dietary ideas, adding layers of complication to an area best kept simple.