: Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:44 am  

af wrote:

Anything like? Really? The thing is, I think people believe this actually is the case, that there are no positives, that nothing is to be lost by hitting the reset button.

I do think that there are some positives (strong forwards, decent juniors 2-3 years away) but even so this 'reset button' is the side that I'm on. For me McNamara is not the long term option so let's start looking for it.

The questions that I've stated earlier in this thread still stand for anyone defending McNamara (whether as devil's advocate, financial pragmatist or whatever) to answer:

"Where is the line beyond which McNamara is no longer good enough? In the argument on this thread what would need to happen for there to be a regime change? What criteria for success as coach of Bradford Bulls should we be applying in the short, medium and long term?"

Personally I think the first two have been passed. The third for me is a short term goal of reaching the play-offs, medium term of top 4 next year, and a long term goal of having a top, title contending/winning team when (if) we move into OSV in 3-4 years time.


By he way, I certainly didn't boo but I was immensely disappointed when Platt came on as I just couldn't work out what the purpose of the substitution was beyond rotation for the sake of it.

(Platt for his part did then try to make up for the previous 60 minutes by running the full width of the pitch and slightly backwards 3 times!!)

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:56 am  

Block5Bull wrote:

I do think that there are some positives (strong forwards, decent juniors 2-3 years away) but even so this 'reset button' is the side that I'm on. For me McNamara is not the long term option so let's start looking for it.

The questions that I've stated earlier in this thread still stand for anyone defending McNamara (whether as devil's advocate, financial pragmatist or whatever) to answer:

"Where is the line beyond which McNamara is no longer good enough? In the argument on this thread what would need to happen for there to be a regime change? What criteria for success as coach of Bradford Bulls should we be applying in the short, medium and long term?"

Personally I think the first two have been passed. The third for me is a short term goal of reaching the play-offs, medium term of top 4 next year, and a long term goal of having a top, title contending/winning team when (if) we move into OSV in 3-4 years time.

McNamara hasn't missed the play-offs in his three seasons, has finished in the top 4 twice and narrowly missed it once, and has contended for the league leadership despite a points deduction and MM resulting in an effective six point defecit against Leeds.

And even if McNamara misses this arbitrary line, where is the evidence that his replacement will be more likely to hit it and keep hitting it?

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:05 am  

af wrote:

McNamara hasn't missed the play-offs in his three seasons, has finished in the top 4 twice and narrowly missed it once, and has contended for the league leadership despite a points deduction and MM resulting in an effective six point defecit against Leeds.

And even if McNamara misses this arbitrary line, where is the evidence that his replacement will be more likely to hit it and keep hitting it?

I guess we're going to disagree as I am looking forward and you are looking back.

My impression is that the team, regardless of the league position (which certainly flattered us last season) is moving backwards and that we are significantly worse today then 3 years ago. I won't rehash all of the suggested reasons elsewhere but that is the historic position as I see it.

I just don't think that SM will take this team forward.

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:13 am  

af wrote:

Anything like? Really? The thing is, I think people believe this actually is the case, that there are no positives, that nothing is to be lost by hitting the reset button.

PHILISAN wrote: Regardless of results/funding etc..The players are professionals,as is the coach and in Super League terms,at present our Club is not appearing to be anything like,whatever deficiencies there may be in skill levels.

Of course we note Junior progress and are all aware of a need for stability within the Club as a whole as we rebuild.No matter how responsive the players are through the week in training and disregarding negativities,my point was...'how things appear'..They are paid to perform better.

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:21 am  

the league position (which certainly flattered us last season)

I don't doubt you honestly believe this, perceive this to be the case. But given the number of games we lost by a score or less, can that statement really be justified objectively?

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:34 am  

Block5Bull wrote:

By he way, I certainly didn't boo but I was immensely disappointed when Platt came on as I just couldn't work out what the purpose of the substitution was beyond rotation for the sake of it.

(Platt for his part did then try to make up for the previous 60 minutes by running the full width of the pitch and slightly backwards 3 times!!)

My only disappointment was that Platt had been dropped to start with. He was the only back who played fairly well at Wigan. Unless in training it was an obvious confidence issue then he should have kept his place.

As it was it seemed a huge roll of the dice on Macca's part that line up yesterday. He decided to play Crookes - fine. Yeaman taught him a few lessons for 60mins which if learnt will stand him in good stead. Sykes had been poor at Wigan and his reward was to move him to a more important position to see if he can find some form.

From what I saw, he ran a bit straighter than platt - and that was it. Similar ability under the high ball as Platt, not as brave as Platt coming onto a short kick, and an open door policy regarding last ditch tackles (unlike Platt).

So, in summary, that change cost us the ability to tackle at full back, it lost us the ability to take a short ball - but at least we gained an extra 10m when doing a kick return!

Bullseye's Wayne Bennett sig is useful to read here. If there was not a training ground reason for that change then Macca made a huge error of judgement.

And also FFS - if confidence is an issue then booing him at Wigan after pulling off a try saving tackle on Tomkins (but giving away a penalty) and telling him to go back to Salford. Then booing him at Odsal as he is waiting to come back on is not going to help - is it?

[Bullseye]

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:41 am  

I'm sure I've been on record saying that I don't rate Platt but the reaction to him on the terraces is way OTT and totally counter productive. To abuse the bloke before he's even gone on the field is crazy. That would affect anyone.

I thought that dropping him was perhaps the wrong move given that he was ok versus Wigan, however this could be down to him getting a knock last week. Pitting Crookes versus Yeaman was a big ask. Sure he'll learn a lot from it but might it have been better to give his debut against a less accomplised opponent?

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 11:44 am  

Highlander wrote:

My only disappointment was that Platt had been dropped to start with. He was the only back who played fairly well at Wigan. Unless in training it was an obvious confidence issue then he should have kept his place.

As it was it seemed a huge roll of the dice on Macca's part that line up yesterday. He decided to play Crookes - fine. Yeaman taught him a few lessons for 60mins which if learnt will stand him in good stead. Sykes had been poor at Wigan and his reward was to move him to a more important position to see if he can find some form.

From what I saw, he ran a bit straighter than platt - and that was it. Similar ability under the high ball as Platt, not as brave as Platt coming onto a short kick, and an open door policy regarding last ditch tackles (unlike Platt).

So, in summary, that change cost us the ability to tackle at full back, it lost us the ability to take a short ball - but at least we gained an extra 10m when doing a kick return!

Bullseye's Wayne Bennett sig is useful to read here. If there was not a training ground reason for that change then Macca made a huge error of judgement.

And also FFS - if confidence is an issue then booing him at Wigan after pulling off a try saving tackle on Tomkins (but giving away a penalty) and telling him to go back to Salford. Then booing him at Odsal as he is waiting to come back on is not going to help - is it?

I thought Platt was one of our best players at Wigan but he still got a load of stick, he deffinately deserved a start yerterday. The Jerk shouting at him behind the sticks at Wigan was a total disgrace and is the kind of fan we can do without. It was good to see that he was treat with the contept he deserved by most of the fans who were sat around him.

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:16 pm  

I've always had that underlying feeling that McNamara is our version of Daryll Powell.

Just like 'Minibus', McNamara has a good history with the club he coaches(/coached) and was given the head-coach role at the club a bit too early.

And just like Minibus, McNamara seems to lack that bit of luck that would allow him to ride out the bad times.


For me, the only thing that should save McNamara this year is a decent cup run... if we don't beat Catalans in the next round of the CC, then Mr Hood should be on the phone to Brian McDermot ASAP

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:22 pm  

Ginger wrote:

I've always had that underlying feeling that McNamara is our version of Daryll Powell.

Just like 'Minibus', McNamara has a good history with the club he coaches(/coached) and was given the head-coach role at the club a bit too early.

And just like Minibus, McNamara seems to lack that bit of luck that would allow him to ride out the bad times.


For me, the only thing that should save McNamara this year is a decent cup run... if we don't beat Catalans in the next round of the CC, then Mr Hood should be on the phone to Brian McDermot ASAP

...and induce, even "coherse, " him to break his contract with Quins? Seem to recall something of that nature had a lot to do with why we are where we are now?