Not before the sharp upturn in form from the Cas match. We were on a one way train to the drop.

What I heard at the time was that it certainly wasn’t Poching/Cummins that was responsible for the upturn in form and subsequent wins.

Overall Poching did an okay job though. It could have been much worse though if not for the late surge.
who cares now anyway? Lineham is playing better and we have
2023 to focus on now.

I saw it.

I stated it on here.

I got blasted from all directions.

I was right.

Doesn’t matter whether you like or disliked Poching, he wasn’t right. It was obvious at the Magic game if it wasn’t before!!!

It’s utter nonsense to quote his win record, it’s the match performances that matter that were the real issue and some were the worst I’ve ever seen, Salford away!

People seem to forget that had Toulouse not collapsed and Fifita, Arona and Miller in particular not played their hearts out in the last few games we were gone,

For heaven sake wake up, out of all our SL reprieves that was probably the worst in many ways.

I said Poching couldn’t coach and I gave my reasons - and unless anyone daft enough to believe I have any sway - the BOD felt the same. MC in particular has been around a while now, so unless you think he’s stupid he will have learned a thing or two. They will know when it’s not working even if they are not exactly sure why. They know the restraints a club like ours place on a coach but they also know what is possible.

It’s worth looking at comments made by Miller and Batch since leaving. Both have raved about Applegarth. To me that’s coded language for I’d have stopped and played for him.

It’s not personal I had high hope for WP, he’d done his time, he looked right, but some just can’t take the step up. It happens, it’s life, we are all where we are for a reason.

.

Correct, and the Cas result had a lot to do with Miller showing his new boss and supporters what they were getting - had to have been Millers best game in years, possibly ever.

Even he admits he is! I think he likes himself to be seen as a bit of a court jester - I'm not bothered as long as he puts the same effort in on the field, and the early indications are that he will.I think most fans have got the gist of what was wrong last season - at our worst it was obviously bad coaching or the players not following the game plan, both of which spell disaster.
Anyway proof of the pudding and all that...I don't expect top four but I do expect more effort and better game management than last season.

So what is it that Poching is meant to have done that meant that Salford scored 4 -5 tries down his wing but the stats show he didn't attempt one tackle for the whole game?
I'm sure Poching had his faults and was inexperienced, but let's not just ignore the fact that some players under performed.

Exactly !!!!! let's also not forget when we sent him to Fev, Kershaw and Murphy stepped in and were our regular wingers. Both had excellent seasons irrespective of Our coaching.

I'm not saying there weren't some tense times in the season but if we're to speculate just as you have done with Toulouse and turn it round the other way, we could've (key word) ended up third in the table! We lost 8 games by a try or less. Crazy to think how highly Poching will have been regarded if that would've happened.

The fact is we didn't and Toulouse couldn't get it right either, not forgetting Warrington.

Anyway not wanting a 3 page discussion. Just wanted to throw my two pence in on the point, getting back to it.

You stated it on here.

You got blasted from all directions.

You were right.

Just listened to the interview in full.

What an odd ball.

Same as he should have done vs Toulouse at Magic, change the system that clearly wasnt working and try and find a solution, Toulouse got on a role and each cut back on the TV to poching looked like he didnt have a clue what to do to change things.

Players can be blamed but if the system is to play in the middle as soon as the ball is spread the winger (Lineham in this case) can literally do nothing if it 2/3 on 1. Granted tackle the player with the ball at the time doesnt excuse the 0 attempts and at least you have made an effort but he also wasnt fit (Clearly wasnt be this from injury or a poor preseason) and was brought back from an injury he was clearly not over, it was also the game with 2 inexperienced/none match fit centres in Minns and Croft, from memory Minns was miles away most of the time and croft was like a rabbit in headlights.

Lineham then didnt play for may be 3/4 of the season so who is to blame for all the below par performances prior to the Cas game? when the reality hit i genuinely believe the players who were leaving wanted to make the effort to turn the tide, and if players had given feedback probably explains why poching didnt have his contract renewed

Again, forgetting the reality of the time. There was no one else to play. Poching played the players available.
It's easy to criticise tactics based on the look on Poching's face but it's hardly knowledgeable analysis. Whereas not putting a tackle in, especially when you have a young centre inside you is a personal issue not a tactical issue.

Best line I have ever seen written on these boards....

Didn't Lineham describe himself as "The Flying Pig" it seemed like a good description at the time.He seems to have listened to himself and regained the fitness level that he had previously.Hope he can now show that he has also regained the skill and performance levels that he undoubtedly had in earlier seasons.