Couple days on and I'm still staggered at the idiocy of this decision

Actually, I'm finding more and more reasons to see it as a good idea. GH knows what's going on in the club as well as anyone. We were asking how come he hadn't made a statement about performances (as in 2016 and in earlier years). He does that, and the very next game, which he identified as the first of a vital 'mini league' we come up with our worst performance amongst some very bad ones over several months. We've seen in the past GH use public statements to send messages, and in this case it would seem that the players sent him one straight back.

The game vs Cas will tell us a lot IMO in terms of whether there's any truth to McDermott having 'lost the dressing room'. I don't think we've much chance of winning regardless of attitude or any team changes, but if we put up a strong showing it speaks volumes as to where the squad is at - as does another abject collapse.

Assuming the timing wasn't planned, problem now is that GH has to balance this year vs the long-term. I really don't envy him that job - put someone in who wants the job long-term and we could end up lumbered with a poor coach for a while, but waiting until the right long-term coach is available risks this season.

Forget this year, go long term. So long as what we have is capable of avoiding the million pound game if it comes to it.

GH has an opportunity to change direction now. The coaching appointment is about the most significant role in the playing side of the organisation, that person can either build the playing squad up to be greater than the sum of it's parts (like Graham Murray did) or can fracture it and fail to fulfill potential (like Dean Lance did).

It's much more important to get this one right for the longer term, rather than the next 3 or 4 months, as it could take years to unpick a wrong decision now.

Completely agree the "New Era" starts now & we need a Coach to put those foundations in place whilst nurturing the current crop of promising youngsters.

Tony Smith will not return to Rugby League until they scrap the video referee.

Good reason to keep it place then

Powell for me please!

There was a superb interview with JJB yesterday on Radio Leeds. As well as coming across extremely eloquently he was very supportive of BM, but was asked at least twice if other players felt the same. He very skillfully avoided answering it each time.

Quote tigertot="tigertot"There was a superb interview with JJB yesterday on Radio Leeds. As well as coming across extremely eloquently he was very supportive of BM, but was asked at least twice if other players felt the same. He very skillfully avoided answering it each time.'" Agreed. 47 mins in here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06b54z1

Quote tigertot="tigertot"There was a superb interview with JJB yesterday on Radio Leeds. As well as coming across extremely eloquently he was very supportive of BM, but was asked at least twice if other players felt the same. He very skillfully avoided answering it each time.'" Agreed. 47 mins in here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06b54z1

I get the sense that a lot of the newer players dont have the same bond so it will be interesting to see how they react. For ecanple ive seen Parcell on numerous occasions look totally p@ssed of with being taken off the field

I also think this means JJB retires and Ablett moves on next year.

Even though i think McDermott should have gone at the end of the year rather tban now, it has made the back of the end season wuite interesting thats for sure