There must be something that we, the paying public, can do to get the Board to recognise that Macca has reached the limits of his capabilities and move him up or out. I have never played RL but have been watching it for over 50 years, amateur and pro, and it is blindingly obvious that the problem is the lack of strategic management on the field, the lack of responsiveness to the opposition, the lack of proper preparation and planning taking account of the conditions, the team strengths and potential weaknesses and the style of the opposing players.
I manage a large team of people and regularly have to deal with under-performing staff. Sadly it is rare that they can be brought up to scratch quickly enough when they are promoted beyond their competence and this has happened to Macca. Unfortunately if you sit back and let it ride the business goes to the wall and this will happen at Bradford unless the Board take action. Sponsorship will dry up even more, crowds will fall off even more and the situation will becomme irredeemable through lack of capital.
A previous post talked about a whip-round. It's not a bad idea. I'd think most true supporters would dip into their pockets or put on events to raise money if necessary to get a coach with any idea at all.
Meanwhile what can we do, collectively, to put pressure on to the management of the club before it is too late and another season drags us into the abyss?

I think he probably still is quite well regarded within the game for is coaching abilities. The question really is whether he suited to the role of Head Coach, particularly a Head Coach responsible for recruitment. Its still early to judge the new players that he's brought in this season but in general the players that he has signed havent done that well.

Hi Paul,

Your comments reflect lots of criticisms from last year about structure, flat attack, poor defense, repetitive set plays etc. They have been pointed out time and time again. They're often pointed out on boots n' all or in the press and in commentary. I even went to the trouble of trying to describe what I thought our offensive set-plays and options were last year - in some detail as I thought they were unimaginative and predictable. I had hoped this year things might be different, but it looks like different year, different players - same SYSTEM. There can only be one explanation for that and it's coaching.

Steve Mac to me has always lacked charisma/leadership and he has a very poor coaching record. He has had 3 years in post and delivered only the ignominy of records we don't want - worse collapse in CC match (against catalans) similar in play-offs against Wigan, failure to make play-offs for first time etc. It would be difficult in any job, never mind a job in elite sport coaching, to keep your job with that record. There have been plenty of people suggesting he'd come good and there have been bright spots amidst the gloom. However as some have suggested the cost of paying up his contract should be weighed against the cumulative effect of his reign on attendances - 10,100 for a first home match against Saints is poor and plenty will be going in to work tomorrow telling those who might have gone next Friday not to waste their time/money. Means we will be back down to 8000 hardy souls very soon and maybe less given that the pre-season buzz has quickly been blown.

As I understand it last year there was some off field drama, involving a player that shall be nameless, but one that people in St Helens aren't fond of - story went that he was sniping away, being uncooperative etc. I have no idea if this was true or not. But the idea was that this was a new time, good buzz around the Manly crew etc and everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. That is probably the case, but the problem is the coach is demonstrably not good enough at this level, his record stands as proof of that. Could he come good in a season, a couple more, I have no idea, but it's not a risk the club can take I wouldn't have thought. However the psychology of the situation and past record suggest they'll wait and see, and will give him to the end of the season.

This isn't a poor squad, it's light in the forwards and lacks a couple of genuine strike players in the backs, although Kearney could probably help there as a FB. However Steve Mac isn't up to it, it's a real shame, I'd have liked him to succeed - young British etc.

My candidates to win the sack race.
1. McRae
2. McNamara
3. Potter

Stick Brian Macca in there aswell.

Excellent 1st post!

Again, pretty much bang on.

shambles of a performance today and the pre season buzz has well and truely gone out of the window. my only argument to keep macca in the job is that we have got a new 9,6 and 7 three of the most key roles on the pitch and maybe that needs a little more gelling together and things hopefully will pick up.

that aside today was shocking and i was embarresed watching the game today. what happens in training these days, according to the players in the t and a training has been great this week and that is whats said every week. so why such a dismal performance on the field. lack of direction no dummy runners and taking the ball up in twos an threes which is basic rugby league learned at amateur level just is not happening. we have about 2 drills which we use which usually ends with the winger running back in feild because there is no room out wide. its basic things which look immense if done really well which we are lacking. FRUSTRATION !!!!!!!!!!!!

i also heard the most ridiculous quote at the game today some guy saying send orford back on a plane hes crap.

what a joke orite hes not played well yet but ive seen many of his games he is a genius

He was shat and he's overrated. Always has been.
$300,000 or whatever it is for that sack of nonsense. I agree with the guy.

u will see give him time n ull be eating ur words lol

Righto.
He's not what many Bulls fans think he is.

I heard one saying why did we get rid of Deacon for him.

Orfords been in the country for just over a month FFS.

Don't get on his back when there were plenty who had a far worse game. Orford will come good.

He would be play a lot better if he was playing behind a better pack,the Bulls pac
k and bench is way too lightweight

It's not quite as bad as it seems when you think hard about it.

Okay, Saints really blew us away today, but playing any Saints side on the back of a home defeat was going to be hard.

The Whinos have lost two in a row aswell, to Castleford And Wakefield, and with all due respect to both teams, they're not as good teams as Huddersfield or Saints (on paper at least). Leeds have picked 2 points up so far from Crusaders, and if that match hadn't been brought forward they'd be in the same boat as us.

My advice is we should all (including me) stop acting like the season is over and get back behind the lads. We've had 2 games against tough opposition and our halfbacks have only played three games together. I'm not going to be joining the McNamara out party till at least 5 games without a win, and i'm backing [iour[/i Bulls to turn it around, get back out there and show the whole league that we won't just lie down.

Doesn't matter how long he's been in the country, he's played pro RL for over 10 years and is supposed to be the best HB never play for Australia.

I'm sorry but that performance was simply a shambles and not acceptable and certainley not excusable.