Quote: RHINO-MARK "Of the 3 Legends 2 clearly played major influencial roles on/off the pitch by the Coaches own admision something you played down as Mc.D's great man management on that score he's been clearly found out something both he & GH are accountable for.'"
On the contrary. I have always highlighted the importance of Sinfield and JP and their retirement in the same season would have been the same body blow to any coach. Where I challenge you is in your attempt to belittle Mac's coaching achievements by implying these two did all the coaching. It wasn't an admission, as you put it, but a complement to the contribution of those two players in their final season.
Since last season my opinion is on record that the failure to replace Sinny was a serious error. Whilst you didn't seem to spot the danger and you were happy to go with Sutcliffe as KS's replacement ....and we know how that judgement has turned out and something you choose to gloss over in the factors affecting our results this season. How much of is this the responsibility of BM I do not know (and neither do you) but my hunch is that it bears all the finger prints of GH.
Quote: RHINO-MARK "Other clubs is not the only reason i think its time to change its not even the major one but it was brought by you when you said be careful what you wish for it doesnt work yet it clearly does more often than not.'"
True. You have been critical of Mac since his arrival with regularity. Consistency can be a good thing however your history books would say in this case you have been consistently wrong.
Quote: RHINO-MARK "Cas beat us with 10 of their squad unavailable including they're 2 1st choice BR's FB Centre/Captain SO amingst them yet they had a basic gameplan which they executed well.
Again HKR beat us convincingly with half a team Wakey also had plenty of 1st choice players missing.'"
You are ignoring the answer I have given you on this point. Which of these sides (and any others) had lost their two most influential players last year and their training ground in addition to having half the squad out injured? And which of these sides had both their most creative pivots missing for most of the season? You suggest a reason for these defeats was the lack of a game plan. What evidence do you have to back this up? What we all did see was plenty of evidence that we lost because of poor play and errors from our players.
Quote: RHINO-MARK "Ive repeated time & again 5yrs is enough in RL & you also ignore his squad management re-injured players unused subs its poor simple as that & happens too often look at Delaney/Jjb as perfect examples.'"
Because you have repeated this for 5 years does not make it right. All coaches will get it wrong on occasions as they are human beings... I guess you are not perfect in your job either. You may have a problem with unused subs I don't and I am not sure you are qualified to give him lectures on squad management either.
Quote: RHINO-MARK "Whilst there are other reasons for this years below par performances things the Coach does control are still found wanting imo i.e the defence is still pish we are still conceding the same trys game after game he still uses Watkins as basically a BR , even with us down in players he still has unused subs & even when others were available picked Delaney when injured.'"
Mac's record proves he is a good defensive coach and has done it for several years and his game plans have won us silverware. So why would he abandon this aspect of coaching now? and when experienced players make defensive errors why do you blame the coach more than the players? Given that more than half the squad is injured, precisely how would you improve the players form?
With regard to Watkins he has always been suspect defending in the wider channels and is more comfortable defending further inside. It is his defense and the injury list that are probably the only reason he is keeping his place on this seasons form. Against Saints Watkins made 23 tackle and no clean breaks compared with Keinhorst who made 40 tackles 2 clean breaks and 2 tries. He is just anonymous on attack even from the start of a game when he has made few tackles.
Even a one legged Delaney made 27 tackles and only played half a game. Do you know for sure which players were fit enough and good enough to replace Delaney?
Quote: RHINO-MARK "The new era is upon us it was always going to be a big transition & personally id prefer a fresh approach off the pitch as well as on it.
Its not purely just a blame game exercise they're all culpable good bad and indifferent but in Coaching terms time to move in & start afresh.'"
Well you have repeated often enough over considerable time you view that we should change the coach. Whereas Warrington made a different judgement when they lost their two most influential players. They kept the coach and changed the key players and look what happened!
In defending Mac I am not suggesting he doesn't make errors as I think that goes with any job in sport. What I am asking is that you show a bit more loyalty and patience to a coach that has achieved so much for the club. I feel sure we do not know the full story of behind the scenes problems either which could include resentment for new recruits payment packages or new personalities not fitting in etc.
What I do think is becoming clear is that when Sinfield and JP were strutting their stuff certain of our players looked better players than they really are and without the on-field leadership telling them what to do they appear lost.
I for one am prepared to accept a season of transition without trophies to give him time to get the squad balanced again
