We’ve already wasted money on keeping Lino, Kay, Pitts and Ashurst who has been a non existent captain for next year.

Well I certainly pointed out that removing Poching was a mistake and when Applegarth was mooted as a replacement (without advertising the position) I made my opinion heard on that along with a breakdown of why he wasn’t good enough. I also voiced opinion on some of the new recruits and have been proven right there also. No hindsight here!

Who applied for the job when Poching was appointed, how do we know whether it was low level or not other than what Carter or Minards said. Even if it was low level there are many elements that will decide who applies for a coaching position, who’s free at the time and whether they think it’s the right time to move their families etc but to not even test the waters and ask for applications is quite simply ridiculous in professional sport. There are just 26 top tier coaching positions available in the world for Senior Rugby League Coaches, I refuse to believe that we wouldn’t have found a more suitable candidate than MA. By all means use Applegarth as a caretaker while you field the applications but to not advertise and just appoint an untried, unqualified and inexperienced coach is stupid!
I suspect the owners just went for Chester’s assistant and got a decent Coach in Poching but then didn’t back him against some of the players who didn’t like him. It’s their modus operandi isn’t it, go for the cheap in house option and after Willie Applegarth was even cheaper and had made his intentions known to them by offering himself up behind Poching’s back.

We’ve had a string of poor decision making from giving Chester a new contract, sacking Poching, not advertising the Coaching position, appointing Applegarth, then not making a decision to remove him early in the season when changes would have made a difference.

But you and others have asked what would you do now and I’ve given you an answer, speculating that the new owner might appoint a mate to discredit that answer is poor. The owners/new owners should realise by now that the cheap unprofessional option and way of doing things doesn’t work! Do it properly, advertise the positions of DoR, Head Coach etc and appoint people who are expert in their field and bring the right qualities to the job and the club.

If you dont advertise and go with "the next in line" how do you know who is out there

Do advertise, but not the next in line. I'd wait for the right one.

You did indeed say all that early on.

I'm not sure I understood your next step idea. I wasn't trying to discredit anything, just pointing out that the DoR needs to be a quality appointment as well

Doesn't that go against what you said two posts higher?

Coach recommends, board or specifically DoR decides if resources are available.
There is a need for that role. Contracts and negotiations need to be separate to coaching otherwise it takes time away from actual coaching.

I don't think the DoR should be sole decision maker on team. I didn't think that was what Carter was doing but either way the coach has to choose. Some may be knocked back but they shouldn't have anyone they didn't choose.

Fair enough but that’s why you follow a professional process, advertise, interview, wait for the right candidate, appoint someone who brings something to your club who can improve everyone around them

Did I miss your correction?

Are you arguing with yourself now?

If you meant Mash then I misunderstood which 'they' you were having a go at. I was talking about Carter as others are talking about Carter's interview where he takes responsibility.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Apppegarth needs to take a reasonable chunk of responsibility for our performances and subsequent relegation. We have had a record amount of nillings and poor performances throughout the year, yet still had ample opportunities to save the year. Getting pumped by Cas at home was unforgivable. Seeing the same old mistakes yet same old faces playing who simply shouldn’t of been. I have nothing personal against Mash and do believe he is a good young coach, but he simply shouldn’t of gone for this job, we needed an experienced coach who may have been in these waters before. Mash obviously thought he was up to the job and has failed miserably.

Thanks for giving me your opinion old lad or I believed a know nothing like Paul Sculthorpe on tv saying he knows Mash well and he's a good coach

Winning 4 games in a whole season would strongly suggest that he isn't a good coach. Getting knocked out of the chwllenge cup in the first round they played would strongly suggest he isnt a good coach. Leading the team who had the most nillings ever in Super League would strongly suggest he isn't a good coach. Getting your home team club relegated in your first season would strongly suggest he isn't a good coach.

I'm sure he's a lovely bloke, but he is the worst coach in Super League and club history

I don't go in for the 'he's rubbish because of the result'. There are loads of things that affect the result, injuries in particular at the beginning of the season

However, at the Shareholder meetings, Mash said he didn't want to talk about individual players, and possibly right to do it, but I'd like to know

1) why could Fifita arriving improve Atoni's performance, but you and no one else including Atoni himself could do it
2) why play Proctor when he either can't do more than 35 minutes at best and 15 at worst. Who's decision was it not to come back on, Proctor or Mash.
3) who's decision was it to sign Proctor?

Sure you know more than Sculthorpe you know a lot less than me though

Sure you know more than Sculthorpe you know a lot less than me though

Surely that's Tony Anderson's badge?

Close, but I think Applegarth has taken over. Anderson came in 2002 and saved Fax from relegation in his first season, and while they may have lost a couple more games in 2003 than us this season, they weren't nilled as many times.

. Ply W D L F A Diff Pts

Fax 27 1 0 26 372 1227 -855 0* (*Fax lost the 2 Pts for Salary Cap Breach I think)
Trin 26 4 0* 22 291 686 -686 8* (* We had 3 draws so could have been 9 pts)

Anyway up [uif you solely blame a coach for the results[/u Anderson was worse.

An average of 11 points for has really killed us this year, and by far and away has been the main issue Applegarth hasn't been able to resolve. He stays next year any enthusiasm I have for a fresh start will have dissipated, along with the suggestion that we'll be utilising the dual reg/loan market (although why Carter is commenting on that I dont know).

Leigh have shown the way to go, and if Ellis takes over we need quality, not cast offs.

Eitherway I'll still be the next February/March.

These 3 question pretty much frame up my take on the car crash if a season. Answer these and you answer what is wrong with the club.

You are correct that not being able to score points has killed us......but it was not unsolved, it just came too late.
First 13 league games we averaged 6 points per game.
Second 13 league games we averaged 16 points per game.

If Sculthorpe thinks he’s a good coach, then maybe he wouldn’t mind seeing him be the next coach of St Helens then.

He’s not a good coach and no amount of statistical manipulation, bending of theoretical physics, barrage of celebrity PR announcements or sympathy searching statements from Carter & Minards will change the lived experience of fans and players alike during this monstrosity of a season!

Il have a go then
1 big dave came back into the club saw it was a shambles on the field and stuck his hand up and basically said I'm going to lead from the front. Atoni and a few others even proctor in a few games went with him stuck their hand up and thought right wel roll our sleeves up and have a go.
2 it was plainly obvious from the start of the season that proctors legs had gone but we continued with him when we could of played young lads like eseh and crowther.
3 poaching was offered proctor but didn't want as like I said his legs had gone, poaching departs, one of the coach or Carter still sign proctor. That's my take on it

Yes but I wanted the actual answer, not your assumptions. But thanks anyway.