I get what you're saying here.

With a similar quality of squad, who proved to be the better coach, TS or McDermott given that McDermott was arguably much more successful over a similar amount of time.

In an ideal world, both us and Leeds would probably want the style and excitement of TS with the accolades of McDermott.

Yep so not a turnaround in the way that I think we can all agree Tony Smith achieved taking over from Lowes, which, after all, was my point.

Also, before your time, Tony Barrow achieved a great turnaround in the 1985/1986 season with a 10 game unbeaten run after replacing Reg Bowden mid season.

Don't knock that team. If you played for them I'd be surprised.

Did Tony Barrow get sacked or did he just move on ?We were brilliant under him.

Got fired on December 1988. Had a fantastic squad at his disposal after some hefty investment, and made an absolute pig's ear of it.

His tenure wasn't the magical time many seem to think it was.

Quote: Dita's Slot Meter "Got fired on December 1988. Had a fantastic squad at his disposal after some hefty investment, and made an absolute pig's ear of it. His tenure wasn't the magical time many seem to think it was.'" One of our very few Warrington coaches that actual won a trophy and one of only 3 Warrington coaches that had a win rate above 60% with Price and Smith. I think your description above would be more apt for Paul Cullen. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/team ... aches.html

Quote: Dita's Slot Meter "Got fired on December 1988. Had a fantastic squad at his disposal after some hefty investment, and made an absolute pig's ear of it. His tenure wasn't the magical time many seem to think it was.'" One of our very few Warrington coaches that actual won a trophy and one of only 3 Warrington coaches that had a win rate above 60% with Price and Smith. I think your description above would be more apt for Paul Cullen. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/team ... aches.html

Seems Cas board not keen on taking him back.

I wonder now, will they approach him even if it's just on a short-term basis?

and all done in an era when Wigan bought anyone and everyone they fancied - can only guess what he might have managed with Greg at half

The season he got sacked he had the likes of Phil Blake, John Woods, Des Drummond, Steve Roach, Les Davidson and Mike Gregory at his disposal and couldn't get a tune out of them.

Yes, his years in charge (not even 3 years) were eventful and often entertaining, but he came up short as much as anyone else since when it came to getting consistent success.

Top boozer though, and hard.
Was our tour party leader on the 88 lions trip down under.
Him and Roger Millward could drink us all under the table.

To be fair, Roach was performing like a forerunner to Gil Dudson and Blake wasn't here the full season but certainly things seemed to go awry for Tony when it came to handling big egos.

Maybe they thought they were better than the coach, didn't respect him, downed tools and got him the sack.

Yet it wasn't. You play by the rules of the time and Halifax were crowned champions a month earlier.

The premiership was just an end of season knockabout after the serious stuff of the league and Challenge Cup was concluded.