Before the lynch mob come on here defending themselves and asking why a Rhinos fan is on here asking questions

I have been to every home game this season at the Giants as I work for one of your major sponsors LV and Britannia Rescue

So even though I don't support the club I do have to admit that having met the players and Rick each week that I have a soft spot for your club and have taken a dislike to you lot calling for Rick's head when things weren't going too well for the club

Rick was so down earlier this season that it wasn't hard for even an outsider to feel sorry for him,He was present at all of the corporate days after taking training and Some days he wasn't getting home till very late in the evening, but never did I ever see him without a smile on his face,Nor did he ever say that he wasn't committed to the club for the long haul,It was clearly plain to see how proud he was to be at your club

Give the guy your full support and get behind your team

What s wonderful rallying cry from a loiner. thanks for picking up a Stone and finding the best underneath

Must admit that I was doubting his ability to motivate the team but right now Rick has got them playing as a team for each other so well done Rick and long may it continue. And a big Thank you, up the Giants

and didnt approve of mamo

getting injured players back on the field was the main thing ...mamo the biggest impact on his return.

the low point was losing to swinton in the cup and then davys wife dying, been on an upward curve ever since

said many times its not stone thats the problem, players have to take responsibility too and they have changed their attitude and got confidence now, makes all the difference

lets hope we keep this top 8 spot now and then the job for 2017 is done...building with stone

I told you guys when you signed Stone that he has taken a lot of very poor squads to finals by finding a game plan that works for the talent he has to work with.
He typically starts very slowly and builds as the year goes on, and players under him tend to learn what he needs them to do, and get on board.
A few years in a row with Knights reserve grade squads that were basically kids and rejects, he started the year looking like he would get the wooden spoon, and eventually went deep into the finals - one year right to the grandfinal.
I'd love to see what he could do with a good squad, but he's never had one, so it's a mystery.

He wasn't able to replicate that with the first team at Newcastle. Perhaps his strengths are development rather than tactical- whereas someone like Tony smith is the opposite.

He was able to over achieve the first time he coached Newcastle.
The second time he was given a squad signed by Wayne Bennett who all wanted out of their contracts. Nathan Brown also lost 2 years while he moved those guys along. Stone was handed a poison chalice the second time he coached Newcastle.

stone was handed similar here, struggling team lacking in confidence and given players he hadnt signed for 2017

the club is in a rebuilding phase, so far its going ok but will take a good while..top 8 is progres this season

I don't know your team circumstances, but I don't think it was similar.
The Bennett signed "stars" just refused to play ball with Stone.
BJ Leiluea showed up at training a stone overweight and ruined training sessions by pretending to take part, but mucking up every play - till Stone released him.
Darius Boyd collected his million dollar salary, but got a medical certificate saying he was depressed and took his wife on a holiday to the south of France till he was released.
Beau Scott and others just went through the motions till they were released.
Stone had well over half his salary cap tied up in players who had signed up to play under the super coach, and were never going to give him a chance to coach them.

Well R Stone said it would take 2 years, and he ain't had that yet. For the first time in a couple of years "bar the odd game now and then "we are beginning to show signs of being able to play,
It's still early days yet but all the signs are beginning to look favorable. I don't know what has brought this about but It's more than likely a combination of things, Mamo surely will be part of it, and watching Brough i get the impression someone has had a very serious word with him, He is certainly concentrating on his game more and that is to our good because when he does there is none better.
On top of all this has been the injury situation, I have always maintained that a top coach can get his team to play Whoever is picked, That may be true in certain cases but it is also a bit unrealistic most of the time.
Ikky is really hitting his straps now, and Wakeman is visibly improving, in Fact the whole pack are starting to hold their own, and even dominate in some games, instead of getting a good hiding. This is the most important to me because without it the halves will never shine and the three- quarters will be starved of decent chances.
So whatever they are doing down there, keep doing it, Lets beat Saints and Wigan and we have as good as cracked it. What we are now watching doesn't bear any resemblance in attitude to the team who turned out against Swinton, Keep it going and the fans will turn up.

newcastle still doing no better i see at the bottom.

l really hope Stone does well, he does not seem to have had the best of breaks in his career, l do acknowledge ozzie coaches know their game, my only worry is he floods the team with his countrymen, they are mercianery, again in general they will only give what they have to, as aposed to Islanders who seem to give their all for the love of the game.
He has good reps bringing on youth, our academy is now producing some very good lads, l think he is probably the right man to build our academy, and bring them on, we see signs of progress at Lockwood, all possitives, the Giants need to build a culture, like Wigan, Leeds, and Saints, if Stone is the man, then that culture can be started by him, its fantacy, but he could do for us what Bennett did for the Bronco,s, l could be completely wrong, he could be as up to now, a second rate coach teaching kids, but if he comes good the Giants should really get their show on the road.

what a difference not having 8 players out injured makes too hey