Quote Him="Him"I've often defended McNamara as I think he's taken some unwarranted stick in his time as England coach (especially the silly McBanana stuff) but I can't defend him on this series.
I was concerned at the start of the series with the team he picked but was willing to give him a chance. But virtually everything McNamara has tried has been at best a par, at worst a disaster.
It's obvious that McNamara desperately wanted Tomkins in the team. This was disturbing in itself because if Tomkins hadn't been injured McNamara would have shifted the current Man of Steel & SL Dream Team fullback to a position he hasn't played since 2012 in order to have a full back who hasn't played well for 2 years.
But then why on gods green earth you'd put Bateman at centre over an actual centre I have no idea.
Then why you'd persist with the failed strategy from the first test of starting with Hodgson instead of Roby.
Why, when your gameplan was so simple and rigid, you'd pick centre's and wingers of whom only 1 has much impact in getting our sets started following a kick.
Then why you'd pick 2 halves who aren't good at a passing game including 1 who's not ready yet.
It's just been very very strange from McNamara.'"
I think is pretty spot on.
Whilst not perfect I think the stick McNamara took over the last two internationals campaigns in 2013 & 2014 was over the top.
However he's taken a massive backwards step this year. Like a football manager who knows he's one game away from the sack he's sent his team out to grind out a win to save his job.
What's frustrating and I've mentioned before is the comparisons to other sports.
Start of the year England's cricket play in a World Cup and embarrass themselves with an old fashioned tedious dull style of play.
Last month England's RU play in a World Cup and embarrass themselves with an old fashioned tedious dull style of play
Both seemed hell bent on picking certain players when it wasn't working.......so does McNamara heed that warning? Nope he does the exact same thing.
