: Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:49 pm  

mystic eddie wrote:

Whilst I realise that we are not Man United (really? ) we were the reigning Super League and World Club Champions when McNamara was appointed. Unofficially, that made us the best club side in the world. Perhaps there may have been some interest in our position had the club not taken a "knee jerk" decision to quickly fill the role vacated by Nobby with an unproven understudy who was no doubt a cheap option.

Cheers for the concession offered with the italics, but given that...

a) you have no evidence anyone was interested and
b) as you hint at, we were particularly skint at the time

...there is no (I'll see your italics and raise you a bold) reason to believe anyone else particularly more qualified could have come in.

eddie wrote:

As for mediocrity? From SL and WCC champions to first round play-off elimination in two and a bit years? Very mediocre for a club who continue to make all the right noises about how competitive they are.

SL Champions...

Michael Withers, Leon Pryce, Ben Harris, Shontayne Hape, Lesley Vainikolo, Iestyn Harris, Paul Deacon, Ian Henderson, Stuart Fielden, Jamie Peacock, Paul Johnson, Bradley Meyers, Lee Radford
Subs: Robbie Paul, Joe Vagana, Adrian Morley, Jamie Langley

Out first round...

Bradford Bulls: Michael Platt, James Evans, Paul Sykes, Chris Nero, Semi Tadulala, Paul Deacon, Ben Jeffries, Joe Vagana, Terry Newton, Andy Lynch, David Solomona, Simon Finnigan, Jamie Langley
Subs: Matt Cook, Iestyn Harris, Craig Kopczak, Glenn Morrison

... four survivors, half as many as played in both '05 and '08 GFs for Leeds (and not including Keith, who was injured thanks to Joe ). And by the way...

eddie wrote:

unproven understudy

=

: Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:21 pm  

af wrote:

Out first round...

Bradford Bulls: Michael Platt, James Evans, Paul Sykes, Chris Nero, Semi Tadulala, Paul Deacon, Ben Jeffries, Joe Vagana, Terry Newton, Andy Lynch, David Solomona, Simon Finnigan, Jamie Langley
Subs: Matt Cook, Iestyn Harris, Craig Kopczak, Glenn Morrison

Again I could say that the players McNamara signed were just not good enough to replace those leaving. But no doubt some people will find other more "plausible" reasons for our downturn in quality.

As for the Noble link? Yes, sometimes clubs DO get it right. In the case of McNamara though, they have it completely wrong.

: Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:38 pm  

mystic eddie wrote:

Again I could say that the players McNamara signed were just not good enough to replace those leaving. But no doubt some people will find other more "plausible" reasons for our downturn in quality.

Not a flicker of recognition that replacing 75% of your first team squad in three years might be more difficult than replacing 50% of your first team squad, especially considering financial restraints and the lack of youth players coming through. And it's all academic when you have no alternative to offer to McNamara, other than on-off assurances that 'someone' might have been interested or might now be interested in the job.

: Fri Nov 28, 2008 2:01 pm  

af wrote:

Not a flicker of recognition that replacing 75% of your first team squad in three years might be more difficult than replacing 50% of your first team squad, especially considering financial restraints and the lack of youth players coming through. And it's all academic when you have no alternative to offer to McNamara, other than on-off assurances that 'someone' might have been interested or might now be interested in the job.

Blah Blah Blah.

Image removed re AUP 1.2 et al. . . . Bullpower

The same old "name a better person" argument. Why is it that some people feel the need for an alternative to be named rather than accept an opinion that the present man is not good enough?

Of course replacing 75% of the team is more difficult than replacing 50% of it. Even more difficult when you have a coach with a poor record in regards to recruitment.

However. Lets look at Wigan - the side that faced us a couple of weeks before Nobby left....

Ashton, Calderwood, Richards, Vaeliki, Dallas, Orr, Moran, Seuseu, Higham, Hargreaves, Tickle, Fletcher, O'Loughlin
Subs Wilkes, Prescott, Godwin, Jonkers

and the team that knocked us out of the play offs last season...

Mathers, Calderwood, Phelps, Carmont, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Coley, Hansen, Bailey, J. Tomkins.
Subs: Paleaaesina, Hock, O'Carroll, Smith

Interestingly, three players played in both games - it seems that Nobby has dealt with his new broom a bit better than McNamara has done. Especially when you consider what they both inherited.

: Fri Nov 28, 2008 2:08 pm  

mystic eddie wrote:

No sign of an interesting post from you I see.

That's a 'no' then?

: Fri Nov 28, 2008 2:10 pm  

Beechwood Bull wrote:

That's a 'no' then?

You seriously thought I was gonna start a campaign?

: Fri Nov 28, 2008 2:31 pm  

mystic eddie wrote:

You seriously thought I was gonna start a campaign?

No I didn't. I knew perfectly well what you'd do. Nothing.

There are a number of precedents of football supporters organising, raising funds, purchasing shares and gaining a seat on the board. If Hood is the idiot you say then present a simple manifesto in which you could lay out simply the way forward and your experiences of running similar organisations. Suggest a small amount of money each person would have to pay and guage the response. This is a simple and progressive way forward for those not happy with the running of the club.

We clearly don't agree but from the number of posts you make on the matter you feel strongly and are prepared to put time and effort in. I'd also say you are not alone as others agree with you. All I'm saying is act for change. Be progressive and put forward an alternative so everyone can judge it.

: Fri Nov 28, 2008 2:36 pm  

Beechwood Bull wrote:

If Hood is the idiot you say.

Now where did I say that Hood was an idiot?

: Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:09 pm  

mystic eddie wrote:

:?

Now where did I say that Hood was an idiot?

Somehow that was the inference I took from him employing a coach you call 'Macbanana'.

Manifesto?

: Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:23 pm  

Beechwood Bull wrote:

Somehow that was the inference I took from him employing a coach you call 'Macbanana'.

Well you are wrong. Just for your info however and to save you getting it wrong again, McBanana is not a term I have ever used. In fact, it was the brainchild of Ancient Provocateur (I think). It is now a widely used term by many but not by me. If Ancient Provocateur did not coin the original term he certainly immortalised it in song - see the McBanana thread. (I am sure that the inventor of the term will make themselves known soon enough)

Better to check your facts before you blunder on eh?

Beechwood Bull wrote:

Manifesto?

Ah, yes. Our new Italian starlet. One for the future I believe. He will feature regularly on the bench next season but will get absolutely no game time whatsoever.