I reckon he will get the easter games and the two cup games against Leeds. Didnt we sack Kear after losing to Bradford in the cup. Was that the same year we then had that run that took us to 2nd in the league. With his contract up at the end of the season the board are going to have to make a decision. If we where flying high in the league and the club announced an extention to his contract would that of made people happy. If we are mid table will this affect their decision.

The problem is that the CC is easily our best chance of success this season because even with a competent coach in charge of our squad, it would have been a big ask to win at OT. If we wait until we're out of the cup, the 2010 could be done and dusted for us.

I think that we will probably beat the dobbins TBH but, for me, that shouldn't have any bearing on this argument come Saturday morning. Although a sound beating at to our petty little neighbours at Craven Palace will probably send this site into overdrive.

Can I go on record now as saying there is no way Ellery Hanley would be a suitable alternative!

Better than what we have though thats for sure!!
and WAS sat with Kath and co at Salford!!
who knows,

He gets a decent write up by Longy in his book.

I always looked upon him as a top drawer coach to be honest !! what makes you so anti Hanley Standee?? not a dig mate

I'm guessing his record since taking over a top Saints team isnt great. There has to be a question mark about why the only team that gave him a chance were Donny.

I disagree he'd be hilarious! Offiah to be his assistant. No one would remember the games they'd just wait for the press confrences.

Last year we saw our forwards start to show signs of fatigue early in games simply because the injury situation meant they had to be overplayed. By round 6 effectively they were knackered. Tickle in particular had to play too many minutes because of his kicking duties. This year Agar rightly highlights this and says the extra depth will now allow us to rotate the forwards and keep them fresher in games, ie not have to play 80 mins. We've even got kicking options. So what do we do? Play Tickle and Fitz for the full 80! Having to have Houghton on the bench to spell Berrigan doesn't help our options but this is Agars team and his strategy. If you play forwards like Fitz and Tickle for 80 mins week in week out they will lose their effectiveness and start to make mistakes. That's often when other players are having to do too much during their spells to cover and end up missing tackles etc. There was an excuse last year for poor bench management this year their ain't.

This is the crux of the matter.

Same demise of attitude at this point in the last 2 seasons regardless of injuries.

Even Fitz, O'Meley and Long showed signs of the illness on Saturday. Is it the inflexibility of our one and only game plan that starts to stifle and frustrate players about now? Or rumours of spats between the coaches (also happened about this time last year with Agar and Sharp)? Or indignation amongst the players regarding team selection choices? Or simply a case of underestimation of the opposition by the senior players?

All of the above?

Whatever, the rot seems to set in about this time into the season every season. Cue the start of sightings of players in drinking establishments which also coincides with this onset of apathy.

Players only get slagged off for boozing when their losing.

The club have brought in some big name signings and the PR machine has done a fantastic job over the last 9 months to achieve great commercial results, riding a wave of relentless positive communication. After the first few games, the reality is that we have, even with just one injury, an inadequate and makeshift 3/4 line and a good pack whose most effective players are being flogged unnecessarily. Plus with only 8 games gone, we have failed to turn up with the right attitude in 3, which is completely unacceptable. We have some very good players in our squad but as last season, Agar is failing to do the primary role of a coach in getting each and every one of them to perform to their potential and making the whole greater than the sum of the parts. If we go out of the cup, it's countdown to next February again IMO. And this time round, in a very good position injurywise, there's nowhere for Agar to hide.

Fully agree.

We were told in the off season that Agar was relying on his new recruits to motivate and inspire the rest. But instead they too seem to be dropping their heads. Just what is it that (I am afraid I have to point the finger at Agar) he does to affect morale so badly about now?

The major concern is that Agar has not learnt from past mistakes, his interchanges at Crusaders and Salford were "interesting" to say the least, he hasn't implemented a plan B, I think he thought we were giong to be able to win every game up the middle.