Just when you thought it could'nt any worse.

[thundergaz]

i have said for the past few years that brian mcdermott should be the national coach with darryll powell as his assistant

I understand this but to be fair how can anyone say McNamara hasn't done a good job or isn't doing a good job I will never know. Whether you like McNamara or not it's a fact he's done a tremendous job. I remember not that long ago we were getting hammered by the Aussies every test. Now we are within a few points of them that's a massive achievement IMO. I wasn't a fan when he got the job in the first place but you have to take your hat off for how he's transformed this England team around.

[RLDave]

i have said for the past few years that brian mcdermott should be the national coach with darryll powell as his assistant

Dream team!

[thundergaz]

i have said for the past few years that brian mcdermott should be the national coach with darryll powell as his assistant

Got to admit McDermott is a class coach. I don't think I've ever seen a better back line than Leeds have at this moment in time it's fantastic to watch when they throw the ball around. Leeds back line as got to be one of if not the best in the world at this present time.The way their playing if hardhaker Watkins hall and Briscoe are not leading England's back line in the next tests it will be a travesty.

[Saint Toppy]

 but to be fair how can anyone say McNamara hasn't done a good job or isn't doing a good job I will never know.

 

it's a fact he's done a tremendous job.

So in your first sentence you question how anyone can claim to know he's done a bad job, then your very next sentence your claiming it as fact that he's done a tremendous job ?????

 

Results speak for themselves. As a club head coach his record was apalling, as international coach his record against the top teams (Aus & NZ) is even worse.

[thundergaz]

So in your first sentence you question how anyone can claim to know he's done a bad job, then your very next sentence your claiming it as fact that he's done a tremendous job ?????

I'm just saying you can not say McNamara hasn't isn't doing a good job that's all. Yes I agree he needs to start getting wins now against the kiwis and Aussies but he definitely deserves that little bit extra time to achieve this IMO as he has brought England rugby back onto the international scene and we are not getting hammered anymore that's a massive improvement IMO.By no means am I saying he's the best coach in the world etc etc but I honestly do think he's done a tremendous job since he's taken over yes we are not beating the Aussies and kiwis yet but at least we are getting their unlike before he took over when we were just happy not conceding 50 against these teams.

[Saint Toppy]

I'm just saying you can not say McNamara hasn't isn't doing a good job that's all. Yes I agree he needs to start getting wins now against the kiwis and Aussies but he definitely deserves that little bit extra time to achieve this IMO as he has brought England rugby back onto the international scene and we are not getting hammered anymore that's a massive improvement IMO.By no means am I saying he's the best coach in the world etc etc but I honestly do think he's done a tremendous job since he's taken over yes we are not beating the Aussies and kiwis yet but at least we are getting their unlike before he took over when we were just happy not conceding 50 against these teams.

Previous coaches all had better records against Aus / NZ than McBanana - thats a fact, not speculation or opinion.

 

I'd be willing to change my opinion of him if he manages to guide us to a series win againts the Kiwi's this year and then follow it up with a victory against the Aussies next year. Until then he remains a coach with an apalling record.

[thundergaz]

Previous coaches all had better records against Aus / NZ than McBanana - thats a fact, not speculation or opinion.

I'd be willing to change my opinion of him if he manages to guide us to a series win againts the Kiwi's this year and then follow it up with a victory against the Aussies next year. Until then he remains a coach with an apalling record.

An appalling record for wins yes I agree but give him some credit we are within a try of these teams now not 10 try's when he took over. We just need a little bit extra that's all and it won't take that much for us to start turning these games into wins. Changing the coach now could set us back 5 years IMO even if it's McDermott from Leeds and he is IMO the best coach in SL by a country mile. I just think a new coach isn't needed yet yes if we don't turn these teams over under his next contract stint I will agree with you it's time for him to go but I do honestly think he deserves this little extra time to turn these close games into victories. But to say he's a terrible coach is way off the mark IMO as he as transformed this England team from no hopers to challengers in his time.

[Saintslass]

I'm just saying you can not say McNamara hasn't isn't doing a good job that's all. Yes I agree he needs to start getting wins now against the kiwis and Aussies but he definitely deserves that little bit extra time to achieve this IMO as he has brought England rugby back onto the international scene and we are not getting hammered anymore that's a massive improvement IMO.By no means am I saying he's the best coach in the world etc etc but I honestly do think he's done a tremendous job since he's taken over yes we are not beating the Aussies and kiwis yet but at least we are getting their unlike before he took over when we were just happy not conceding 50 against these teams.

McNamara is a good systems man.  He was given the remit to establish a culture at the England team and prepare it for the world cup.  He did that, and very well.  The resources and such like available to the England team are now a world away from what the 2008 world cup group had to endure, which means we probably didn't get the best out of that team.  However, he hasn't beaten the Australians yet, not even when they were slightly depleted.  Ultimately as a coach you are judged not on how good a gym the team has but how many matches the team wins.  And really our national coach needs to be based in England.

[Saint Toppy]

An appalling record for wins yes I agree but give him some credit we are within a try of these teams now not 10 try's when he took over. We just need a little bit extra that's all and it won't take that much for us to start turning these games into wins. Changing the coach now could set us back 5 years IMO even if it's McDermott from Leeds and he is IMO the best coach in SL by a country mile. I just think a new coach isn't needed yet yes if we don't turn these teams over under his next contract stint I will agree with you it's time for him to go but I do honestly think he deserves this little extra time to turn these close games into victories. But to say he's a terrible coach is way off the mark IMO as he as transformed this England team from no hopers to challengers in his time.

The no hopers that managed a series whitewash against the last touring NZ team and at least 1 victory against the aussies in their own back yard. Thats McBanana's yardstick and if he doesn't manage to equal this then he can hardly be considered a success.

[indomitable]

After McNamra's period of being the Bull's coach like the majority of Bradford fans I couldn't believe that he was getting the national coach post. I must admit that contrary to what I thought of him, he as done an excellent job and for the first time in years we now are right up with Australia and New Zealand. As is usual when attempting to reach the top you can guarantee that you will not get the rub of the green on referee decisions, but it is because of this, and not the fact that we have been outplayed that we are definitely on the right path.

[CiderWire]

I think that attributing the national sides rise in form, to the point that we are virtually on par with the Kiwis and Kangaroos, is not necessarily down to McNamara’s vision and guidance rather the fact that he has tenure at a time when we are gifted with some particularly effective players such as; the Burgess boys, Hill, Roby, Tomkins, Graham, Widdop etc. Plus, many of these are, as we know, now NRL based and are immersed in the Aussie mindset which is a massive plus when it comes to ‘knowing thine enemy’ and what is required to beat them. Personally I believe that we now have the skill, size and ability within the team to beat anyone we just need to ensure that we have a coach that picks the right players and instils the self belief and the need for situational awareness and game management required for the full 80 min’s.

[Wolford6]

Ask Danny Brough what he thinks.

[thundergaz]

Ask Danny Brough what he thinks.

This is just silly he didn't get picked end of. On this seasons performances I can see why as well. One season does not make a class player just look at Clark at Warrington.What I've seen this season (albeit on TV) McGuire and sinfield are shoe ins for the 6 and 7 spots IMO.Not counting widdop as I haven't seen him play once this season as just haven't took much interest in the NRL this season for some reason as I used to love watching it but found it hard to find time this year.Also if we're going off this season I would be on the phone straight away asking peacock if he fancies one last international hurrah before he hangs up his boots.

[Wolford6]

This is just silly he didn't get picked end of.

 

He's the best standoff in Britain, end of.

[Konkrete]

Head coach - Powell, Wane then McDermott in that order would have been my preference

Assistant - I'd favour having someone hugely experienced to help & advise the head coach. I wouldn't be too bothered whether they were British or Aussie just so long as they had the right experience & temperament to be that voice of logic & reason, particularly in the heat of a game. Possibly someone like Brian Smith would be good along side Powell.

 

As for young, up & coming British coaches like Lowes, have them as part of the set up to gain experience for the future, and it probably wouldn't be a bad thing to have 2 or 3 of these guys around working individually with players in the preparation for games. 

That's a fair shout throughout.

 

McNamara is in the job at the moment though and I guess this series against the Kiwis will tell us if we need a change.  Whatever the relative coaching attributes of the above McNamara can't magic up a Shaun Johnson (who after all tipped the scales against us in the World Cup).  How about this for an assessment of the main British* coaches...?

 

Over achieving

Powell

Marshall

 

Achieving

McDermott

Lowes

Anderson

Cunningham

Wane

Betts

Chester

Aston

 

Under achieving

Harris

Radford

 

 

 

*Tony Smith is an Aussie

[Saint Toppy]

Over achieving

Powell

Marshall

 

Achieving

McDermott

Lowes

Anderson

Cunningham

Wane

Betts

Chester

Aston

 

Under achieving

Harris

Radford

 

 

I think i'd probably have Mark Aston in the over achieving category. They've had some great results over the last few years against the 'bigger' teams and he has nowhere near the resources & playing quality that some of the other teams have.

I'd probabaly also add in Paul Rowley to the over-achieving category as well. Yes he has better player quality than most other teams in the championship and they're full time, but he's got them playing a fantastic style of rugby and they've been outsranding against the SL teams they've played so far andf wouldn't be at all surprised if they get a straight qualification for SL next year by finising in the top 3.

[Wolford6]

 

 

 

*Tony Smith is an Aussie

 

Tony Smith is British

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7603203.stm

[Konkrete]

I think i'd probably have Mark Aston in the over achieving category. They've had some great results over the last few years against the 'bigger' teams and he has nowhere near the resources & playing quality that some of the other teams have.

I'd probabaly also add in Paul Rowley to the over-achieving category as well. Yes he has better player quality than most other teams in the championship and they're full time, but he's got them playing a fantastic style of rugby and they've been outsranding against the SL teams they've played so far andf wouldn't be at all surprised if they get a straight qualification for SL next year by finising in the top 3.

 

Ha! As it happened I had Aston in the first category then changed it. Rowley, yes of course, like Marshall looking like a top coach in the making. He does have some handy fire power in that Leigh side though. Be interesting to see how they get on if they lose some of it.

 

Tony Smith is British

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7603203.stm

Nope, he's an Aussie. As British as George 1st.

[Adelaide Tiger]

People have a pop at McNamara but as others have said he has made England more competitive over the last 2 years. We now go into games against NZ and Australia knowing we will give them a game and not as over the last 30/40 years hoping we will give them a good game in 1 or on the odd occasion 2 of the 3 tests.

Some have rubbished him because he is only an assitant coach at the moment in the NRL but it could be a masterstroke as he will be closely watching all the potential Kiwi and plotting how to nullify each of them throughout the season.

[Wolford6]

 

Ha! As it happened I had Aston in the first category then changed it. Rowley, yes of course, like Marshall looking like a top coach in the making. He does have some handy fire power in that Leigh side though. Be interesting to see how they get on if they lose some of it.

  Nope, he's an Aussie. As British as George 1st.

 

 

But more British than Chris Froome, Mo Farah and Tiffany Porter.

[Dave T]

People have a pop at McNamara but as others have said he has made England more competitive over the last 2 years. We now go into games against NZ and Australia knowing we will give them a game and not as over the last 30/40 years hoping we will give them a good game in 1 or on the odd occasion 2 of the 3 tests.

Some have rubbished him because he is only an assitant coach at the moment in the NRL but it could be a masterstroke as he will be closely watching all the potential Kiwi and plotting how to nullify each of them throughout the season.

I've always defended McNamara during his time as England manager as tbh, I think we have played an exciting style of play and are certainly more competitive now, despite some people having you believe that his selections are crazy.

 

Some people don't rate him and won't let that go. Even if we won the World Cup, they would say we won it despite him.

[Konkrete]

But more British than Chris Froome, Mo Farah and Tiffany Porter.

Well there are flags and there are flags of convenience. You don't have to be born here to be British (Wellington and stables etc) but at the same time it's not a plug and play option.

Tell him to lose the daft accent and I might reconsider.

[Wolford6]

Well there are flags and there are flags of convenience. You don't have to be born here to be British (Wellington and stables etc) but at the same time it's not a plug and play option.

Tell him to lose the daft accent and I might reconsider.

 

No offence, but, to us Celts, all the English have a foreign accent.