Senior is a big step backwards

He's still here and he's looking at signing players, I'd say that he's staying!!

Whether John Kear stays or goes will be an excellent gauge of the ambition of our new owner. He has shown to be forward thinking off the field, but it's time to show us what his plans are for on it, and sooner rather than later.

Commitment?

Here is a man that has reportedly applied for jobs at Catalans, Bradford, Salford and Castleford, two of which when he still had over a year of his existing contract to run at Belle Vue. Now, this doesn't strike me as someone that is fully committed to the club. It was only 2 weeks ago he was telling any press outlet that would listen of his interest in the Cas job for next season. Yes he was looking out for himself, and yes he does need to safeguard his future, but it's funny now we've got the nod, his attention has shifted full circle.

Media

Kear has demonstrated how to use the press to his advantage over the years, you don't need to look any further than how he came to be at Wakefield in the first place to see this. Post match interviews, he seems to say what most of us are thinking, yet the following week never actions his words, almost as if he says it just to appease the fans. His current statements regarding a desire to stay with Wakefield, are again for me a media rouse to show his commitment to the club rather than the club showing commitment to him (or at least I would hope so...). Give him his due, he talks a good game, and for him to talk of Senior for next season, wouldn't necessarily be an indicator of John Kear being around next season.

Recruitment

The Paul Cookes and Keith Seniors of this world are the type of player John Kear likes because he seems to be stuck in the past. They used to be good, they did a job for him, therefore they can still do the same job 10 years on. You really don't have to be any more than a supporter to bare witness to the fact that his coaching techniques are as outdated as his recruitment plans. Brian Noble spoke of a lack of English coaches in the game but when you look at the likes of Kear, McNamara and the way they set their teams up to play, it's easy to see why. Young, Australian, and bubbling with enthusiasm seem to be the model for success at present. It is no coincidence that teams like Wigan and Catalans play with flair and excitement and have rocketed up the league. Yes it is in the main down to the players they have at their disposal, and not all those players were recruited/nurtured by the current coaches of those teams, bur when you see the likes of Millard and Blanch playing with such purpose it's hard not to be envious of the blokes in charge. Nathan Brown is the prime example. Look at what he has done for Huddersfield both on and off the pitch. Their players have never been in such good condition (just ask Dale Ferguson of the transition from leaving Wakefield and joining them and it will outline why they are streets ahead), they play attractive rugby, and their recruitment is proactive. It is no coincidence that this started with the recruitment of their coach.

Future

What he did for us in 2006 should not be understated, but that is now very much in the past. If our distant past is our success, our recent past is our failure. If this club want to be taken seriously, and if Andrew Glover is committed to his "we want to be the best club" moto, we have to move with the times. Newmarket is our future off the field, the coaching staff and players are our future on it. When you put the politics to one side, we all pay our money to watch rugby league. We do it for the love of the game, and to be entertained. If Mr Glover does read this forum, I would implore you to look to the future. For me John Kear is now very much our past. We need a statement of intent. Show the rest of the league and us, the supporters, your ambition and intentions for the next 3 years. Because if you do offer John Kear a new contract, I don't think we will move very far forward at all.

Nail on the head. We've been given an almighty reprieve and its time to look to the future. And that future isn't an aging, old fashioned coach signing aging past it players.

A very well thought out and thorough post from gowerthegroap, and one I tend to agree with.

I think Kear's tenure has run its course, but if he were to have his contract renewed I can live with it as long as other options have been explored. If Kear's the best man for the job after a rigorous interview process then by all means give the position to him.

well said straight to the point, not insulting to the memories of 2006 and the relegation battle, but a blunt reminder that he did look else where when we needed him to stand up and fight our corner as his media attention would of caused us more harm than good.

onwards and upwards

decent post well thought out but i would have to disagree with alot of it. i would agree 100% about senior. i wouldn't have him for any money but that doesn't go to say i wouldn't have older heads. the right one in the right place can work miracles in all departments. as menzies has done for catalans and as morrison has done for us. to a certain extent what morley has done for warrington etc, etc. as far as jk goes, personall y i think he has done a fantastic job with what he had to work with. regarding some peoples doubting his commitment to young british players, tells its own story. just looking at the players he has brought in this year that wouldn't have got a look in at other clubs. ask mariano and kyle amor, johnson, wildie etc ,etc their opinion, i have, and i can tell you they were grateful of being given the chance by jk. as for him applying for other jobs. anybody that was facing the prospect of unemployment, due to us not getting a franchise would have done the same. i would definitely give jk another contract. with the right backing he will do a great job. we don't need young austrailian coaches imo.

Indeed they would, so now the tables have turned should a club who now has a number of years develop not look after itself and make sure they have the best person available to achieve this rather than just hand it to the incumbent coach.

As his contract is up at the end of the year, maybe the sensible thing to do would be to advertise the post and allow him to apply, if he wishes.

I wouldn't be completely against JK getting the post, but if his ambitions include Senior it would put me off. Perhaps he was just being polite to his mate in the press and bulling him up to help him get an SL contract elsewhere.

Give him a chance to outline his ambitions for the club along with any other applicant.

Think he has done that by picking Smith, why not just say I've run out of ideas.

Quite fun being part of the mob for once

Having seen the squad he's picked for sunday I can't work out whether he actually wants us to finished bottom or has just lost the plot.

I don't think it really matters now if we finish bottom or not. It does matter that we use the last few games to show what the future has in store.
Glover, Elston and team must be shaking their heads.

I would prefer them shaking JKs P45.

All the players will be motivated after the tough season and franchise decision.

If we get a win they have done there jobs well. I'll give them a chance and see their reactions to the positive news.

Let's get down and support. These players have had a rough time psychologically for past months and it has to have had some effect.