Quote: Gotcha "Come on Andy, back this up. Show me the post that claimed that this squad is in decline. You see Gareth states these things for banter, you on the other hand don't really know what you are saying, you just say it. So back it up.'"
You say Gareth states thing for banter. Without putting words in his mouth I actually think he knows you spout enormous amounts of rubbish (amongst the odd occasional valid point) and therefore pulls you up on it, in a fairly light hearted way from time to time! I'm not sure I have the time or inclination to find your old posts but I may have a look later on!
Quote: Gotcha "For your information at least 8 players have left the squad since 2010 to what we have now, and Delaney is now a recognised back rower rather than the position he came for at centre. In 2011 there were 6 changes to the GF winning side to what played regularly in 2010. Even in 2012 there was a further 4.
The squad was changed dramatically.
What was said by me and was quite clear about, and obviously where your mind wanders, is that unless we changed the way we were working the academy thend it would seriously effect us going forward. Inparticular I said they needed to get Poaching out of the job. Remind me what happened again? look at us now at academy. Who was right again?'"
2011 - Webb, Bish, Ablett, Hardaker, Hall, Sinfield, McGuire, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, JJB, Delaney, Clarkson
Burrow, Bailey, Kirke, Lauitiiti
2012 - Hardaker, Bish, Watkins, Ablett, Hall, SInfield, McGuire, Leuluai, Burrow, Peacock, JJB, Delaney, Bailey
Lunt, Kirke, Griffin, Ward
I only see the promotion of Ward and the loss of Webb as positive changes from 2011, unless you think Griffin was an upgrade on Lauitiiti or Lunt for Buderus?
I'm pretty sure the progression of Hardaker Bish, Watkins, Ward and others was part of the long term plan anyway.
So you seem quite happy with the way the squad has progressed then but follow that up with...
Quote: Gotcha "He is uselss, I honestly think he is even more useless than I initially thought. Take Peacock and Sinfield out of the side and it would have struggled to make top 8, and yet they are actually at times playing better rugby than the previous year. He is taking this club so far backwards it frustrates the hell out of me. The players are the difference for the win, I would take some convincing to accept he has played any part, however I have already said if he manages to win it this year I will give him some credit for it.'"
Now I'm not McDermott's biggest fan but having him speak knowledgeably and passionately about the game and the club as a whole he is integral to the development of certain aspects of the club. He is the coach who first moved Delaney to the back row, introduced Bish and Watkins as a partnership, got the best out of Danny Buderus, moved Burrow to an interchange hooker - all these things have been a vital part of our success.
He has introduced Ward and Singleton and Sutcliffe (and don't say it was all due to injuries) as his involvement in the matchday squad happened way before that. We are a bit of good luck away from challenging for top spot this year, and despite being mullered by Huddersfield every time we meet it has been a fairly positive season.
Quote: Gotcha "Again, which are thes players? It already been established how many changes we have had, so which players are you referring to?'"
Without looking I'm not sure but I reckon your argument focused on Sinfield, Burrow and McGuire and older forwards such as Peacock, JJB and Leuluai. Oh, and I think you were also critical when Delaney signed his new three year deal
Quote: Gotcha "I bet you wasn't saying that last year. Funny how all these comments come out now. Why would clubs come knocking now? he's regressed due to the development path given. Isn't that the point?'"
He played about 10 minutes in 3 or 4 games IIRC. It showed me the club thought he wasn't really up to the rigours of SL rugby, and certainly didn't see him being ready to defend at that level. Clearly his progression hasn't happened as they hoped. Clearly, that's all because he didn't go on loan and get run over every week at a level he isn't ready for though.
