It does feel that way with how things have gone so far.

I really hope we see some fire and passion at the weekend though, really get stuck into them and try knock them off their game. The problem is, Bennett is trying to get us playing the safety first grind style play that the Aussies do and we are are a far inferior version of that and will lose to them playing it every day of the week. I think we have to be bold and chance our arm a bit, chances are we still lose but it would give us our best hope of the win.

I agree we have to get up and smash em. We have to get them riled up. Also, Thurston appeared to be playing with an injury v NZ. We should get up and hit him every time he passes or kicks.

Whilst we need more direction and linking from the halfbacks, we also need more energy and aggression.

Having sat through England's torpid displays so far and having seen Australia's second gear display against NZ, I would say that it really doesn't matter who England pick as they have no chance.

Bennett has not been able to motivate the team to perform in either game yet. My strong suspicion is that like most Australians who come over to Britain looking for easy money, he will bail when the going gets tough.

Get a British coach, who can motivate players, in the job for the World Cup before this freeloader does any more damage to our game.

agree about the halves, a few more wide running angles from the back rowers would help and options to try and open up the possibility of a bit of space out wide, they haven't had a great deal to work from so far to be fair. we have to look to find our centres more as we know Hall and McGillvary can finish. I just don't think it really fits in with Bennetts game plan to play a bit more off the cuff, but is our only outside chance of getting the points we will need to win imo.

The fact that Bennett got the gig suggests he was the best candidate for the job.
Nobody really rated McNamara but, he was doing just as well as Bennett and he was a fair bit better with the media but, who do you think would be up to or wanting the job.
Looking at the top of SL (which should be where the better coaches are), we have Wane, Smith (who is unlikely to take the job again), Radford & Cunningham (neither are anywhere near ready and are just finding their way as SL coaches or Powell.
So realistically Wane or Powell and do either of them want the job ??
Outside them you have Betts or Harris and they wouldn't be an improvement.

So, please tell us which British coach we should appoint.

I'd have left it with McNamara. Failing that give it to Kevin Sinfield or Paul Sculthorpe or someone recently retired. It's only a part time job and they could have Brian Noble there to help out. Professional sportsmen at the top of their profession don't need a lot of coaching. Keep them fit and happy, organise them and let them play.

Coaching at International level is a Bobby's job. The reason we don't beat Aussie isn't down to coaching. It is down to the fact that they are better. Bennett might be a legend in Aussie but he will be a failure here. The only chances we have is if they play poorly, couldn't care less or if we get some dodgy decisions. None of which Bennett can influence.

I agree regards McNamara, he did a decent job and can count himself unlucky not to still be in charge. For me, the England job is absolutely a role that could be taken up by a British SL head coach like a Wane or Powell part time. It's what Bennett is doing now.

If we stuck with McNamara we would've lost to Scotland.

It's all about the mental side at senior level. We need to be mentally better than them on the day, as they are more skillful. Same in most sports.

You'd give the job to a someone with no first grade coaching experience as opposed to Bennett, wow.

Yes. Without a doubt. As I said international coaching is a Bobby's job.

Bennett is supposed to be the Alex Ferguson of RL coaching. Take a look at Alex Fergusons international record. Or Jock Steins. Or loads of examples.

Do you get the idea that Bennett.is in this for any other reason than to get back at Australian selectors for not giving him the job?

Daryl Powell & Dennis Betts as a part time role. It is only a part time job to be fare would top both there pension funds up as well (Dennis is already doing it).

Bennetts motivation may be up for discussion but, his pedigree as an International coach is not and as for Sinfield or Sculthorpe.
Great players they may have been but England coach, not yet and maybe never.

Also if the post is a "bobby's job", why haven't we won anything of significance since the 60's (apart from the series against the Kiwis last year)

Just as with the round ball game, people always say we want an English coach and in an ideal world I would agree but, we should always appoint the best coach for the job and not because they are English.

Powell would be a good shout.
He has Cas playing some great stuff and he's had a few good seasons at Cas and remember that he searve his "apprenticeship at Fev after taking the Leeds job too soon but, would he want the post, maybe not.

There's a simple reason. We haven't been anywhere as good as the Aussies. I'm afraid the modern myth of the super coach is all pervasive. The team that has the best players usually wins. Nothing to do with coaching at international level. Whereas at club level it very much is.

we won a test series against NZ in his last set of matches, came within a whisker of making a WC final and beating both sides away from home in the two years before that so i don't see how you come to that conclusion.

If we get well beaten against the Aussies at the weekend i don't even think you can argue Bennett has taken us backwards since. He may be a great coach, no disputing his record, but i've seen absolutely nothing to make me think he has made a difference yet.