The problem at halfback is that we just don't have any standouts. Widdopp is a must IMO because he's the 'new Sinfield' - not a gamebreaker (as yet) but a cool head and capable of keeping the side moving.

However, without a real star 7 were always going to struggle. NZ have Johnson with the rock solid Foran. Australia have Cronk (or DCE) besides Thurston. They poick themselves almost, and both sets would be automatic choices if they were English. They can get continuity because they have class players for both 6 and 7.

I talked about this on the VT. I think he's done a decent job and has been harshly criticised. When you think back to the 00's, especially the 2008 WC with the Leeds/Saints split he's gone a great job of making the England team a 'team' and not just a bunch of individuals. However I do feel it now takes a different touch to take England from 'almosts' into winners. Kinda like when Tony Smith took over from Powell at Leeds.

I do feel we should get rid but not in the harsh way most make out. Doing it now leaves a good amount of time for a new coach to gel with the squad before the next World Cup.

I was very critical of him in the World Cup. However going to the NRL as assistant was a good move, when he could have got a Super League job, at a lower placed team. He will surely have learnt a lot this year. The players performances can't really be faulted. Look at the disappointment on the faces of the players after the NZ game and that proves that losing really hurt.

His selection improved too. Matty Smith aint no JT, that's for sure, but I don't think he let anyone down, and is the most improved player in Super League over the last three seasons IMO. Widdop is miles better than Chase. As for second rowers I think people underestimate Farrell, however his inclusion does illustrate what a talent has been wasted in Hock (no one's fault but his own). Joel Tomkins will improve this season, though maybe his inclusion was a bit early. Roby, who was my Man of Steel, will improve things as well.

I don't think they could have been motivated to try any harder, and for this reason I would exclude Wane. Also, he is too strongly identified with Wigan IMO which would make it hard for him to manage other non Wigan players.

BMc always shows a lot of class when dealing with the media and would I think, command respect, but I'm not convinced he is that much better as a coach. The Leeds team was inherited by him and he hasn't really built a team of his own.

Powell is a good coach but I don't think the case for replacing Steve Mc with Powell is that strong. McNamara will have got a lot more experience under his belt this year and so I'd give him the NZ series next Oct/Nov and see how he does before looking for change.

I think the job should be done by an Englishman though. We have enough decent coaches to choose from nowadays unlike in 2008.

Its three games a year, who is going to take the job?

McNarama has done a decent job and should improve from his time in the NRL.

I've no problem with the way McNamara's gone about his work. I'm not sure of secondary coaching roles in his set-up but if we have an attack coach then it's he who needs to be changed; if we don't then we need to appoint. I'd agree with those saying we're not far off. Having said that, few big steps forward from the WC were evident.

I did hear yesterday that McNamara is going, to be replaced by McDermott and we will install Dave Furner in his place.

Was it a voice in your head?

Was this on your "nice to have" list?

Lithium can help with that. The voices never completely go away, but at least they make a bit more sense.

We had a star number 7 in danny brough,who was told by mcnamra in world cup year,that he wouldnt be picking him.So as it was probably his last chance to play in the world cup he trotted off to captain scotland,and has done a great job wouldn't you say and bearing in mind he was man of steel in the world cup year 2013.Nobody elses decision other than mcnamara,as well as all the hoo hah prior to the world cup.
IMO we had the best squad in the 4 nations,better than the aussies,yet didnt even qualify for the final,the guy is an out and out loser ask bradford.

Winning does seem to be the one thing missing. In that respect he hasn't delivered anything at all really.

Ahh, the great Danny Brough myth rears its head, despite he himself saying that all McNamara told him was that he wasn't certain to get a start if he was in the squad. Even with his less-than-stellar track record in big games and at international level, Brough decided that wasn't good enough and became Scottish.

Lightening doesn't strike twice - Hetherington might have palmed Smith of on England I doubt he will be able to pull the same stunt twice

Would that be the serial big game choker since 2005 Danny Brough? Great in the regular season, not delivered in either a big Cup game or the playoffs but apparently England's best bet at scrum half? Don't make me laugh.

To be fair to Brough - it isn't just him it is the whole team and the coaches that don't appear to be able perform when it really matters.

Can't honestly see that he would have offered less than Smith did in the 4 nations. Still no reason to suggest McNamara should get the boot.