Wakefield Ram

I remember talking to Warren Jowitt about his time as coach when he was running his own business. He said it ended up Rams coach being almost a full-time job and his business becoming part-time.

https://dewsburyrams.co.uk/2024/05/01/ferguson-steps-down-as-head-coach/

If he comes back that will be a massive boost for the team

From the little I have seen of Paul March, he says the right things. Quite different to how I remember him from his playing days. Our points scored has certainly improved since he joined. He's got his work cut out for sure, but he's got the job to the end of the season with little expectation. He's got plenty of experience as an Assistant Coach, so he's that experience to draw on. Thanks to Dale Ferguson for having a crack, it was always a massive ask to take on the job and for having the integrity to resign when it wasn't working. Great players don't become great coaches overnight, but it's a brave decision to take. Hopefully he can find an Assistant Coach role which will give him the chance to learn the ropes in a less pressure cooker environment.

Interesting comment from Paul March interview saying communications had broken down with Huddersfield this week so we didn't get any players.

I was just referring to results. But I stand by my comment. Can't remember exactly when Finn started but here are the results from 2022. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_RFL_Championship_season_results

Given MS puts substantial money into the club to keep it afloat and there's no one else lining up to do that, then can't see anything changing there. If we lost £150,000 last season and expect to lose another £150,000 this season, then how much more do you expect him to put in. He was probably even more cautious this season with IMG, but it might take another £50,000 to £100,000 to keep us safe.

To be honest, I had my doubts about Liam Finn. He was fortunate he had probably the biggest budget in League 1. When he took over and we were in the Championship there was no noticeable improvement in results.

Guess I'll be the first to say it, but I think we need a new coach. I don't know Dale Ferguson and have nothing against him, but to appoint someone with no coaching experience is a big ask. To appoint someone who used to play in the team is harder still as a coach and to do this with a squad on one of the smallest budgets on the Championship in a competition as tough as the Championship is asking for a near miracle. Well the miracle isn't happening and MS can either accept now we will be relegated or he can appoint David March or someone else giving them a few tough games we are highly unlikely to win anyway to bed in. If not, as I have posted above it looks like a season of 3-4 wins, one of which we have already had.

Team spirit is bound to drop off with consecutive defeats against teams we should be competitive with. As soon as we concede the heads go down and there needs to be more leadership on the pitch from the more experienced players. Blaming players for "going away from the game plan" isn't the answer. The coach coaches them and is equally responsible. It's really unfortunate that our standout attacker Bailey O' Connor is out but overall if we play well for 70 minutes of matches then we are in a pack of a few teams in the lower half of the table. If we don't, we are looking at 3-4 wins this season.

Given the lack of posts, guess some are giving it a swerve. Unless we can manage a win, then next 4-5 games look like little chance of picking up any points, so important to try and get something from this one. Plus point is at least since the arrival of David March, we seem to be able to score points, but ball control, discipline and defence will need to be better to have any chance of winning a game in this league.

I've just been to Japan it was fantastic. You should go if you get the chance. Plenty of people live abroad and enjoy it. And no doubt off-season he can return to NZ or Australia if he wants. But like you say, it's personal choice.

Whilst we support a sport, for many players it is literally a job. They know one injury could end their career, they will likely be finished by early 30s. He's done everything, played internationals won GFs. Maybe he's had enough of media scrutiny in Sydney. I spoke to Joey Leluia and he said he preferred Featherstone to Sydney as he could go out without being hassled by fans/media. So maybe Manu wants a quieter life off field, a huge payday and chance to live in a very different country? In 10 years, no-one will care what he did or even remember if he stayed in NRL or not. Of course, no-one on this forum would change jobs for a huge pay rise and chance to live in Japan.......

Given he was in a leg brace at last weeks game I very much doubt he'll be playing.

Really depends what team we have out.