It seems that the club have used fans forums to good effect in getting across all the good work McNamara is getting Paul Medley to do on the youth development front

I voted "Not Happy but feel he is the best option for the club".

Not 100% behind that but was the closest to how I felt.

Macca's got 1 year (well less really) to show us all that he can get a team to compete in the league, be consistent and produce a 5th/6th placed finish. Any lower and I think that he will definitely have failed for next year.

If he is going to go at the end of his contract, whoever is coming in must have some opportunity to mould the side by bringing in their own players and to review the current squad before next season finishes. If we're struggling half way-in and as inconsistent as this year he'll have to go early.

He's shown that he can get a team to win 5 games back to back - granted this was against teams in the lower half of the table generally, but the fans now expect this sort of run on a regular basis - not just once a year when all looks lost anyway. He's shown he's willing to ease the kids into the 1st team and not just throw them in at the deep end for 80 mins. Personally I think Macca's got that "pretty much" right, but he should trust the youngsters to play more than 5/10 mins when they initially do come in.

We don't appear to be a club that will pay-off a coach and then pay out a fee for a coach under contract.

Other issues I am more worried about at the minute though.....

The coaching staff issue is still not clear, if anything, it looks as though they are all staying. Messers, Richards, St. Hilaire and Clawson all seem to be safe following the public "approval" from Peter Hood when the T&A lead with the "sackings" story. Are these guys good enough? Or is it all Macca's fault?

I know not long has gone since the end of our season, but there are more stories of people leaving than there is of those coming in. I appreciate we are looking at some kids coming through the ranks such as Donaldson, Whitehead, Olbsion and Crookes etc but these lads cannot yet be expected to replace players of the ilk of Morrison and Solomona.

We're already announced the loss of Morrison, Cook, Solomona, Jeffries, Newton, James, Tupou (don't forget him), yet only announced L'Estrange and Hall.

Add to this we could still be losing Sam, and Hall may yet decide to stay in Oz after recent events the squad looks a little thin. There are more clubs vying for talent and the player pool has been spread more thinly. Saints looking at re-signing Fozzard is a prime example that the quantity of quality players available just isn't there for 14 teams at the moment.

The longer we leave our player recruitment, the more I become worried. Wigan are obviously getting rid of Nobby, and will probably make a "decent" signing or two for the new coach, whoever that may be.

Celtic pretty much need a new side after having half the first team deported. If Nobby goes there he'll be after quite a few players, if not already having them lined up.

Wire appear to be buying a new side, Wakey are snapping up half our squad and Hull are signing some good experienced players (if they stay fit). I know these sides have, or are releasing players, but none of those released are deemed good enough by those clubs, never mind us.

So, WHO THE HELL ARE WE SIGNING?

Peter Hood denies we are signing Chris Walker - why would he lie? The Brett Kearney deal is "up in the air" and its starting to look as though we could be gazzumped as we were for Darrly Millard.

Nothing on John Rudd, I assume he's been told thanks, but no thanks.

Looks as though we could be in for a few worrying weeks/months ahead on the recruitment front.

All this uncertainty is not exactly going to help on the season tickets sale front is it?

A little bit of positive news needs to come from the club sooner rather than later.

I agree. The article in the League Express hardly gives cause for optimism though we know Sadler's not exactly a fan of ours.

Despite that I wish we could get some more positive news out there. Given the numbers leaving and the lack of incoming players the lack of news on new recruits or anything else of any note is depressing me.

Quite, I know its not the easiest game in the world assembling a SL squad, but some positive moves to address our obvious shortcomings this season would be welcome now we've finished.

The worrying aspect for me is that in the past dozen years the club have always had something lined up to announce for when the season ended, however it ended. The silence this time around is defening, and its looking like we have nothing to annouce because we've not got any of the targets we've gone for, as the club must have made its moves by now (?). Unless all our new players are still active in the playoffs.... doubtful. Or we're unsure of the visa issues for any imports and dont want to get burned again like we did with Bird?

Im not in full worry and panic mode yet, but I am mildly concerned moving towards anxiously apprehensive about our recruitment for 2010 so far.

Looking forward to some positive news soon Mr Duffy and Co if you're reading

It's not going to be encouraging people to buy a season ticket either in these hard times.

Good thread this.

If you believe that you will believe anything.

Ive just voted.

Is there any way to reset the poll, I really want to change my vote.

Personally, I don't think McNamara has a lot to play with. With the players he has got he's never going to work miracles.

It appears to me that the full cap is nowhere near being spent, so he has to try to find the best he can for the money.

What that gets you is a team full of (american) indians , and not many chiefs.

But still, Danny Sculthorpe ?!?!

As no-one else would have wanted him, he'd come cheap, and is capable of some good play, so may turn out better than expected.

Can't see many people being persuaded to buy a season ticket on the back of it though

I've said to many today, I ordered mine last week, but if this news had of come first, I would certainly be thinking twice about it.


We were rumoured to be in for Bailey, I'd much rather have Bailey than Scumthorpe.

Personally I don't think McBanana is that bad a coach. Last season, bulls managed to beat the top 2, and also managed a good run towards the end of the season.

I just don't think the squad is good enough to suceed over a season

Have a word with yourself will you..

I'm not jumping for joy about this news either, but the last thing the club needs is people not renewing their season tickets. There is still plenty too look forward to next year, Silverware will perhaps not be one of them though.