I am quoting in full the text of the excellent Conor Murphy's latest piece in the T&A. It quite surprised me, not least because it includes a few of the inconvenient truths that too many people seem happy to ignore, or have derided. But what intrigues me is how much of this is his opinion and how much of it is rather stronger than that, and if so what is the source? Conor is the new kid on the block (albeit the best one we have had for ages) but this piece reads like it was written by someone who has been around a lot longer.

Note the suggestion that we are in the bottom five "in terms of outlay".

He's clearly nailed his own colours to the mast, anyway. The tone is that the club backed Macca in the bad times, and Macca now looks likely to walk out on the club. And the club should not let him go without a fight, and Macca should stick around to see it through.

I suspect some fans will agree with Conor, but more than a few will beg to differ.

Interesting piece indeed, IMO.

Well done Mr Murphy, great article.


You can't fault McNamara's effort over the past 4 years. He's probably got one of the hardest coaching jobs in SL : Less money, but still the expectations. He deserves another contract.

From another point of view though, it is surely time for McNamara to repay the faith shown in him by Hood and co and sign up on a new contract (if there's one on offer). The board has shown alot more patience and faith than the majority of the fans at times (me included)

Very interesting. Lots there that has been suggested or rumoured elsewhere.

Its a very curious piece.

One interpretation is that Macca does not expect a new contract offer, would like one and is upset than one appears not to be forthcoming. And has said all this to Conor, with background. And Conor, who clearly supports Macca's cause, is making the case for Macca to the fans. One or two things Macca was reported as saying in an earlier report add some credibility to that interpretation IMO.

Another interpretation is that Macca has decided he wants away, and Conor believes both that that would be not the best thing for Macca to do and that the Board should be making strenuous efforts to keep him. Maybe in that scenario someone at the club desperate to see Macca retained has been making a strong case which Conor is relaying.

There will be other interpretations, of course.

I'm very very intrigued. I'm tempted by the first interpretation right now, to be honest.

Even if many people chose to dispute or deride.

With regards to the 2nd one Adey, I wouldn't understand that. We don't see the whole picture, but the board seems to have had faith in McNamara as the man to take us back to the top. When we are just starting to see the results of his hard labour, why would they think we need a different coach.


Something isn't adding up atm, but i'm sure it will come out in the next few weeks. 9Unless its a simple case of the RFL offering him ££££, but i can't see it)

Indeed. What can we do though? I for one would not like to see McNamara leave yet, but if the board want him out, there's not much we can do.




Am I the only one who thinks the Caisley & Noble returns (which I rubbished earlier) could have something about them? Didn't Caisley once call Noble the greatest coah in the history of RL? Surely he'd want that man back if he was the chair once again.

I wouldnt shed a tear if Macca was to leave. I would if we appointed a coach that's worse than Macca. I'd jump for joy if Nobby returned.

The last bit is what makes me think it's happening. Certainly ties in with Hoods comments about sharing both roles until the end of the season. The more I read, the more I think he's going.












The more I think we'll be a McDermott or Lowes coached side this time next year

You'd be jumping up and down for different reasons when Noble jacked it in or just plain failed because he did not have the funds to buy a team of seasoned professionals or support staff, and had to spend much of his time instead nurturing young talent.

I'm pretty sure my feelings about him going will depend on who arrives to replace him...

I will still be disappointed if I hear we didn't offer him another contract, as I believe his work (off the field) deserves a huge amount of credit.

If we attract a top-class coach (who still continues our great youth development) then I won't be as disappointed. If we appoint Lowes, Mcdermott, Jowitt or Calland I will want to cry.

Where is that quote from?

But (may be reading too much into it) - note the word "reassure" as opposed to "assure".

That implies earlier discussions on this subject.

I knew somebody would ask............



The sun, so maybe not too much of the old truth in there.

Why would he fail, why would he jack?
He didn't fail or jack last time and there's nobody in SL that has achieved what Noble has.

As for buying a team of seasoned pros isnt that what Macca has done from 1 to 17?