Who's gone over the top?

Just praise where it's due.

I thought Radford's appointment was a mistake. I thought the way it happened with the apparent undermining of Gentle and the gleeful hopping aboard the Blackpool Pleasure Bus as we were still dismounting from our coaches after the Huddersfied coup was cheap and an unwelcome illustration of the state of affairs.

As a coach my reservations were not concerning his knowledge or technical skill but I had severe doubts about his man management skills, particularly with regard to that particular set of men and his closeness to them. If there was a Gentle coup then the foundations of trust could not have existed - a poor way to establish respect and honour in the squad. But even if that didn't happen Radford had been a friend and teammate of too many of them, inequalities and the spectre of nepotism was always going to hover.

So for me the question was always going to be around attitude and Radford's willingness and ability to cope with it. And I still think that this has been the stumbling block of the last 2 years - there were still too many old mates and deadwood muddying the waters and undermining team cohesion, imo. But not now.

This year is the first year the team are all 'new school'. No cancer left. I believe this is the difference and Radford has no lingering 'obligations' and can manage them mentally as he needs to. I once said he could do with 2 years away from the club as a new manager to establish himself in that role, then return with no one at the club having 'expectations'. As it happened the 2 years were spent here and we have all seen the sometimes painful consequences of that as Radford grew into the role and had to expunge the inevitable constraints of being a 'home grown' newby manager.

I think he's through it. The team spirit and attitude are currently superb. Coupled with a ridiculous pack and the right people in the backs we are seeing glorious results. If Radford can nurture and retain that attitude in his men we could be in for a good time this season. Now is Radford's time. He's taken intense stick and come through it. From what I've seen this season he deseves our support, now. He's got mine at last.

Exactly.

Radford had copped some flack (as has Pearson) on here. Credit where it's due.

I view hasn't changed. I said before a ball was kicked, we needed to win at least 5 of our opening 8 games for it to be considered a reasonable start. Anything after that was a bonus. I thought the games against Cats, Wigan ans Wire would be the biggest tests in these first 8 games. We dismantled Cats, so in my mind that's 2 bonus points from a place wee rarely get anything from.

Early days, but positive stuff so far.

Its the support he had when the going was tough that really counts though, innit?
Who knows, it still might be.
The fickle will be able to jump back behind their sofas and start lobbing the grenades once again.

Every set of fans are fickle and the coaches will realise this so when you get beat which will happen you can expect certain fans to dissect Radfords tactics and rubbish his credentials were all doing the same with Chester at the moment it's just part of been a fan we've got to blame somebody and it's usually the coach or this years nominated scapegoat player

here,here.

Give him a ten year deal. I believe you will win the lot this year, I've got a tenner on you to win the Grand National with big Frank riding Red Rum

You have to give credit to radford and all concerned for the way they've prepared the team pre season and for the first 2 matches. I personally believe getting rid of westerman was the masterstroke, just wished they'd it done 2 seasons ago. The recruitment looks outstanding, leaders all over the field, and a lot of very proffessional rugby league players, plus strength in depth. Hopefully radford as finished is apprenticeship, which shoudnt of been done whilst head coach of a super league team, it was at times unbearable. But signs are good, hes got his squad, full of true pro's, which i think has been his aim. Lets hope things continue in this manner win or lose, because I think Radford and this team could do something special this next few seasons, carry on with the style of rugby and the passion for the shirt, and the fans will come back. Its so so good been excited about watching the black and whites again

Pretty much the way I see it.

Definitely impressed with how he's got the lads playing this year. I know is early days but the signings he's made are all showing their value, including Washy who's signing drew mixed opinions. I give massive credit to Lee, Motu and Adam Pearson for getting these deals done.
Obviously we still need to see how the season pans out and where we finish in the league, but for the start, and the style of rugby we are playing then he sure deserves some credit.

How's that lemon tasting 105 ?

Let it go! Hahaha I cant, ive been saying it for at least 2 seasons and no one would listen ha. And im not just on about his proffesionalism , he was poor for us season after season, and we made excuses for him, tried building a team around him, because of his so called potential!!! And its just never worked, its held us back for seasons. No radford shouldnt of been thrown in the deep end as head coach, season ticket sales and the past 2 seasons of awful rugby proof that. 2 games in and you cant but give radford credit for the performances, and long may that continue. You need to let the gentle thing go, he didnt do bad, and the way the team got rid of him was a disgrace

Sometimes jam tomorrow tastes just as sweet !!!! Where's Martin gone ??

Well done Lee keep up the good work , some of us kept the faith but no doubt the fickle ones will be on the Radford band wagon now