So utterly predictable that I posted this last week :

Re: Do you change the team?

Pretty sure that unless injuries occured, we'll keep the same team, and same gameplan, then when it doesn't work, we'll say that the halfbacks are no good and scratch heads for a "Plan B" for the final game.
shinymcshine • Mon Nov 02, 2015 3:23 pm •

I thought it was another iffy performance from England.

I wasn't impressed with us last week really but I thought we overpowered them and I don't think they were expecting that. This week they was.

Another good showing from Graham, Hill and Burgess but I don't think any of the others performed anywhere near the level expected. I think when so many players underperform you have to look at the coach. A group that includes the current man of steel.

I would put it down to the conditions but we played a similar way last week.

Williams and Widdop were awful. They are playing so far away from the line and their kicking was so poor. I blame them for isolating Hardaker and how little ball Watkins is getting but the blame has to be shared with the coach. Because they aren't playing at the line Hardaker doesn't have the space he needs. I don't think they compliment each other either and for that reason I would bring Gale in next week. Gale will play at the line and bring a kicking game that we need.

On the positive side our defence was superb and our front row were dominant and aggressive. I also like how Roby and Hodgson rotate.

Widdop has no idea. First half he threw a poor long ball to Hall when all he needed do was take one step to straighten it up and pass to the man outside him would have then created an easy try scoring position.

To add insult to injury - did you see the pitchsie advertising today? Not your Coca Cola, Porsche, whatever but the headline one was Pukka Pies (I kid you not)! Clearly they think we're all fat Norther b**tards. Then we had Tenerife for £99 and adverts for third and fourth rate universities.

This is what happens when you pick players based on what club colours they wear rather than that players' individual qualities. People saying Bateman isn't a centre, but he plays for Wigan so has to be picked cos he played at centre for Wigan for a bit, Williams isn't ready, but gale is probably the better player at the moment but Williams plays for Wigan so must be picked.
Until we drop the whole who you play for we will always be struggling!

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.

Likewise, I haven't previously criticised McNamara but after this charade I have no time for him anymore. Today was shameful - not just in execution but the whole approach to the game. Couldn't have got it more wrong.

The best one was:
"Drive Insured - or it'll be goneinseconds.org.uk"

Have we no better 'half backs' than those 2... good grief !

Not sure why you dont like the Mcbanana bit other than you have previously being an apologist for him.

HE was a crap coach in SL and is a crap international coach.

The difference is some of us said it 3 years ago rather than waited until he dragged England down.

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.

Nothing wrong with not liking McNamara. But calling him McBanana makes you sound like a stupid 6 year old.

The failure to produce quality half backs has been the the biggest reason we haven't had a successful international team for 25 years. Super League clubs would rather ship in average Aussies than try trust in and develop their own.

Wire have just shipped out Myler and signed an Aussie, Saints have 2 Aussies, HKR have 2, Roberts at Cas, Salford have (or had) 2, etc.

We had one called Kevin Sinfield but people whinged and complained about him being in the team even though people argued he brought a leadership and structure to the team......two qualities people are crying out for right about now.

We also have a halfback called Danny McGuire who was the MOM in this year's GF and in most people's eyes the MOM in last year Challenge Cup Final. It's surprising he didn't get picked and Gale did, because you know.....players only get picked based on what club they play for.