Quote: Gotcha "I would say you only had to be present at the least two games to see they are not happy with the tactics. That is very clear from the body language shown by the players. You don't need to be in any loop for that, you just have to open your eyes.'"
How do you know body language from the players equates to not being happy with the tactics? Did being present enable you to lip read the players as one by one they turned to the North Stand and shouted " tactics again Mac"
The body language is much more likely to indicate that they are not happy with their own performances and those of their teammates but then I am not a psychologist like you.
Quote: Gotcha "Well considering in the build up to the Cas game McDermott said that Cas just seem to have worked out a way of beating us and causing problems. Those problems very clear, as they have been in each game since then, and the preceeding games to then, our right hand edge of defence is picked off with ease, and nearly all the try's conceeded are coming through that same area. It doesn't matter who defends there, Ablett or someone else, or Watkins moved to wing, the same keeps happening every game. That is a defensive structure problem, not a player problem.'"
Well I think it is a player problem. I have seen that we have regularly got our numbers wrong resulting in too many gaps which the opposition has exploited..
Quote: Gotcha "I also know for a fact, so maybe you can class this as "in the loop" if that is what it is, that Sutcliffe has been told to run the ball. This despite all the times he has overlaps outside him, maybe he is taking his coach too literally? But then again you would think the coach would then say something to change this, considering the amount of games it has happened.'"
Well if it is a fact perhaps you could provide the evidence to back this instruction up. Sutcliffe is essentially a runner so I can understand if has been encouraged to play on his strong suit, however I do not believe that the coach would instruct him to only ever run and ignore overlaps. That he does this highlights his shortcomings not only as a 6 but also as a rugby player too.
Quote: Gotcha " Another instruction from our coach, which started last year towards the tend of the year, and to be fair we still won with this tactic, but where kicks are put in to us, that the wingers pass back inside to run to the middle. This despite sometimes having acres of space in front of them to run to.'"
Again some proof of this instruction would be helpful. This could be a good tactic against certain sides and at certain times in a game eg when forwards in mid field are tired. It also could be good advice to Hardaker who seems determined to set off and run away from any support!
Quote: Gotcha "How do players go from been good defensively to poop? is there another reason? especially considering they are not replaced because of it, and it doesn't improve the next week.'"
Yes. Simple they are badly out of form and have lost confidence. It happens in sport and it happened for the games just after last years Cup Final if you recall. The injury situation all season has precluded the coach's options on selection as you well know.
Quote: Gotcha "This has been repeated many times, including the coach, that Sinfield and JP did a lot of the training and the tactics in games. So maybe, just maybe your first line there is not the case. If he has proven before he has it right, then he is most definitely proving now he has it wrong. If players were not following a game plan, then why are they still playing each week? this is not week one of the season, as then your point would have some merit, we are a long way in.'"
It is quite usual that senior players are often involved and sometimes run training sessions as it allows them to practice their on field decision making. This does not mean they replace the coach and to suggest Mac has not proven his coaching abilities is just mischief making.
I repeat the coaches selection options have been very limited so far this season because of injuries and suspensions. I understand that for many games even those selected have been carrying niggles. However there was a big uproar from certain quarters when Garbutt and Singleton were not selected yet they had been the least effective props against Wigan and perhaps the coach he did drop them for not keeping to the game plan. When he did select them they hardly covered themselves in glory.
Quote: Gotcha "And for the first part of this you have a point which is totally correct, with the last part you don't. Smith is far more proven in transition of players than McDermott and exactly why Warrington backed what he wanted. He knew last season what he was doing and that was before these new players. He introduced youngsters, had them ready, and they are playing a part in Wire right now. We have a coach who doesn't even have faith in seasoned internationals, nether mind youngsters, and can't decide what his best line up is.'"
Well we shall have to agree to differ regarding Smith and Warrington. Warrington lost key personnel, had injuries and lost form the same as we have this year. After a poor season they jumped into the transfer market with a target of two quality halfbacks.
Mac has given the opportunity to all the youngsters that looked the part some of whom have not disappointed while others have. Last season the coach was criticised by some for sticking to his senior players and has proven he is loyal and does have faith in those with the right attitude and consistency of performance. Who are the seasoned internationals that he doesn't have faith in? he has never been able to field his best line up so far this season due to injuries as I keep pointing out.
Where I am critical of the management is in failing to see that Sutcliffe was not up to running a game if McGuire were injured. Not recuiting like Warrington did is a major error in my book. I do not know if the blame for this lays with Mac or GH or both but without a good controlling decision maker we were bound to struggle. What we don't know is if there is some major recruitment next year in the pipeline which encouraged them to take the risk.
I have been disappointed with Falloon so far but hope he will improve as the team regains some form. Young Golding's return could just provide the spark we need.