When will Paul March go?

[Wakefield Ram]

This season has just been another one of baffling selections, strange use of substitutes, lack of any organisation or idea in the opposition 20 and the same "game plan" used in every game.

In the Rochdale game, we finally put a high kick to the corner in 6th minute and scored. We didn't try it again for the rest of the game.

Towards the end of the game Bailey O'Connor told the sideline he was moving into the line when we got the ball. That's a player telling the coaches he's changing the teams tactics. If that's isn't a sign PM needs replacing I don't know what is. 

Yes we have a young side, but that's partly because PM refuses to pick experienced players, like Toby Everett and Paul Sykes. Yes he has a small budget, but is our budget that much smaller than Hunslet, Keighley, Rochdale, Whitehaven, Workington etc..?

I'm actually sat here hoping Batley put 50-60 past us, so PM is forced to go. If not, we will be a bottom 4 team next season and the crowds will dwindle even further.

[Crown Flatter]

Unfortunately for you and a host of supporters I believe he is contracted for season 2027.

[Wakefield Ram]

2 hours ago, Crown Flatter said:

Unfortunately for you and a host of supporters I believe he is contracted for season 2027.

I'm trying to remember the last coach who actually finished his contract? 

[Therein73]

It's hard to find an argument for PM to stay in charge..... After today's dire offering, it's clear (some of) the players have put the cue on the rack and a great coach would struggle against that.

In pre-season recruitment, it looked like we'd secured Tennyson Neagle and Jamie Gill - neither of which really materialised, and they would have made a huge difference to the forwards .... With stronger forwards, the backs then get more chance to shine.... Caleum Jordan disappeared, then the McShanes jumped ship -- none of which helped.

Baffling why Toby Everett, Paul Sykes and Dec Tomlinson didn't figure much, but PM must have had his reasons

Being forced to play 3 games a week, twice, obviously didn't help -- but did not training for four separate weeks in the season?? 

There's been a hell of a lot of effort and the players seemed a close knit, committed unit -- but not so much after the McS's moved on.......

Huge disappointment after a lot of endeavour and expecting some hefty changes in the close season

[Wakefield Ram]

So today 

At 4-6, early on we get a penalty in front of the posts to draw level. Bear in mind we've played midweek, Batley haven't, so Bailey O'Connor is wanting to take 2 points. Get level, have a breather, get possession back. No, he's overruled, we run it, lose it, Batley go up the other end and score 4-12.

Joe Summers is clearly out on his feet after 15-20 minutes, yet he's left on the pitch till 65 minutes. Batley targeted him relentlessly taking advantage of his mediocre defence and poor fitness. The fact he is clearly too tired to play effectively is blindingly obvious, but not to PM. Why Summers stayed on is anyone's guess, but he seems to be one of PM's favourite players.

Dec Tomlinson, a forward who can make ground and offload, stays on the bench for 65 minutes. He could have had two spells. He's clearly not one of PMs favourite players. 

Paul Sykes comes on with a minute to go is substitute 7. So we had two substitutions barely used. 

Don't let the score fool anyone. Batley had won the game by half-time and their intensity dropped 2nd half understandably. And given our pack was too small to compete with Batley, it took 40 minutes before we started throwing the ball about.

Still time for PM to go before next season. 

Edited August 23 by Wakefield Ram

[muddyfunster]

March won't go before next week. But I do believe that he should leave "by mutual consent" as they say before the 2027 season. Surely we can't be expected to go and watch the same again next season???

Edited August 23 by muddyfunster

[Wakefield Ram]

1 hour ago, muddyfunster said:

March won't go before next week. But I do believe that he should leave "by mutual consent" as they say before the 2027 season. Surely we can't be expected to go and watch the same again next season???

Agree no point in him leaving this week with 1 game to go. Just step down after Midlands defeat saying he's given it his best.

But I bet he won't. He knows jell never coach at pro level again so he'll hang on. 

[phildog]

Not being in 'the ring' as it were as a Dogs fan, I always try to preach caution; might a coach do better bext year when I have no doubt you will be a) richer and b) in an agreement with your live-in lover's spare players? It's not always greener on the other side of the fence. Let Mark Sawyer have the conversations with Giants first.

[Blind side johnny]

6 hours ago, Wakefield Ram said:

I'm trying to remember the last coach who actually finished his contract? 

Warren Jowett.

[Blind side johnny]

21 minutes ago, phildog said:

Not being in 'the ring' as it were as a Dogs fan, I always try to preach caution; might a coach do better bext year when I have no doubt you will be a) richer and b) in an agreement with your live-in lover's spare players? It's not always greener on the other side of the fence. Let Mark Sawyer have the conversations with Giants first.

We have had these players available this season (3 loanees on the pitch today) but it has made little difference. They simply get dragged down to our level.

[Blind side johnny]

1 hour ago, muddyfunster said:

March won't go before next week. But I do believe that he should leave "by mutual consent" as they say before the 2027 season. Surely we can't be expected to go and watch the same again next season???

1 win out of the last 11 matches would be a time for HR to have a word.

[SUPERSTUD]

3 hours ago, Therein73 said:

It's hard to find an argument for PM to stay in charge..... After today's dire offering, it's clear (some of) the players have put the cue on the rack and a great coach would struggle against that.

In pre-season recruitment, it looked like we'd secured Tennyson Neagle and Jamie Gill - neither of which really materialised, and they would have made a huge difference to the forwards .... With stronger forwards, the backs then get more chance to shine.... Caleum Jordan disappeared, then the McShanes jumped ship -- none of which helped.

Baffling why Toby Everett, Paul Sykes and Dec Tomlinson didn't figure much, but PM must have had his reasons

Being forced to play 3 games a week, twice, obviously didn't help -- but did not training for four separate weeks in the season?? 

There's been a hell of a lot of effort and the players seemed a close knit, committed unit -- but not so much after the McS's moved on.......

Huge disappointment after a lot of endeavour and expecting some hefty changes in the close season

Everett walked ages ago. Sykes past it and Tomlinson clearly unfit.

[Wakefield Ram]

1 hour ago, SUPERSTUD said:

Everett walked ages ago. Sykes past it and Tomlinson clearly unfit.

Fitter than Joe Summers who was gasping after 15 minutes...but stayed on for 65 minutes.

Tommy Gallagher wasn't an 80 minute player for us, but he could break tackles and offload. 

It might help if Tomlinson got some game time. If PM can't get a player fit, he's no coach. 

Edited August 23 by Wakefield Ram

[SUPERSTUD]

I get where you are coming from and for what it is worth I feel that both JS and DT are both not fit enough for Championship rugby. Furthermore more yes I agree that it might help if DT got more game time. It may serve to incentivise him. However regarding fitness. There is a contractual onus upon each individual player to attain and maintain a certain level of personal fitness. Looking at  the whole squad can you honestly say that every player appears to be adhering to this  basic expectation?

 

 

 

 

 

[Wakefield Ram]

I'd say aside from JS and DT, the side are fine fitness wise. Bear in mind we had played midweek, you wouldn't have guessed from that in the 2nd half. 

Edited August 24 by Wakefield Ram

[Transpennine Ram]

It isn't a question of fitness in and of itself, but size.

We have a small squad. No big roidheads (as a description not an accusation) just clearly healthy lads.

And they spend their games tackling much bigger players. The match will take much more out of them than the opposition and so it looks like general fitness is the issue towards the end.

As to Joe and Dec, we don't know what is going on in training. But Nelmes has absolutely knocked his pan out the last few weeks and undoubtedly needed a quieter game.

Summers has greatly improved his ball retention in the tackle over time (was prone to lose the ball previously) and Dec is brilliant at finding an offload. Problem is that his teammates seem to have forgotten that. There were a couple of times yesterday where he was in a good position to offload but had nobody there for it.

Noticed something yesterday that made me think about everyone saying they wanted Paul Sykes on the pitch for experience and leadership. He doesn't say much. Leading by example is great of course, but you still need to communicate.

[Wakefield Ram]

3 hours ago, Transpennine Ram said:

It isn't a question of fitness in and of itself, but size.

We have a small squad. No big roidheads (as a description not an accusation) just clearly healthy lads.

And they spend their games tackling much bigger players. The match will take much more out of them than the opposition and so it looks like general fitness is the issue towards the end.

As to Joe and Dec, we don't know what is going on in training. But Nelmes has absolutely knocked his pan out the last few weeks and undoubtedly needed a quieter game.

Summers has greatly improved his ball retention in the tackle over time (was prone to lose the ball previously) and Dec is brilliant at finding an offload. Problem is that his teammates seem to have forgotten that. There were a couple of times yesterday where he was in a good position to offload but had nobody there for it.

Noticed something yesterday that made me think about everyone saying they wanted Paul Sykes on the pitch for experience and leadership. He doesn't say much. Leading by example is great of course, but you still need to communicate.

I'm not sure people were saying Paul Sykes would bring leadership, but he does bring experience - didn't do much wrong yesterday, we got a try and a goal line drop put from his kicks and he's still the best open play kicker we have. So why Coates was doing most of the field kicks is another question - plus he can defend. But yes he's certainly quietened down a lot from when he was captain

[coolie]

1 win in 12 (after Saturday's game) is pretty damming on any coaches CV 

Will Huddersfield have one eye on our coaching team for next season? 

If we do get a bus full of players from Huddersfield, how will they react to players been given a week off from training?? Which I find a little baffling rewarding failure. 

Has the team excelled this season NO

Has the team had a successful season NO

Has the coach had a successful season NO

Has the team improved this season NO

So looking from outside the box 

The black & white conclusion would be a season of failure. 

It's had its moments at the start of the season, but they soon disappear and replaced with shocking memories like Barrow no team should ever lose a game when winning at halftime 28-0

Thats where the slump started and continued the rest of the season. 

What we do from here I just don't know

Where do we go from here, that's in the hands of players staying & coming in. 

Mark has never removed a coach too early, always opting to leave them always a little too long 

From reading this thread and listening to supporters around the ground, general feeling PM should leave, but we don't write the cheques or pick the coach

That's Mark's job  

Edited August 25 by coolie

[Therein73]

Very clear after tonight's Fans Forum that PM will be in charge next year ...

[Thornhill ram]

I suspect a group of giants fringe players will be drafted in....  but it will make no difference as PM seems unable to coach. With the mcshane brothers leaving mid season...speaks volumes in his poor nan management skills...

Edited September 1 by Thornhill ram

[coolie]

12 minutes ago, Thornhill ram said:

speaks volumes in his poor nan management skills...

Why does he need to manage his nan... Is she poorly?  

[DewsburyRams4ever]

3 minutes ago, coolie said:

Why does he need to manage his nan... Is she poorly?  

Maybe he is partial to a curry or two. 

[Thornhill ram]

16 minutes ago, coolie said:

Why does he need to manage his nan... Is she poorly?  

Very witty...but sadly another PM season isn't funny

[graham fisher]

 Tom Delaney re signed for next season to go alongside Bailey O’Connor,Danny Addy,Jacob Parkinson,Jacob Bateman,Brad Graham to be announced,apparently the players named above were offered more money elsewhere.14 players on board already for next year,including them that were on two year contracts. I don’t think any player would sign another contract if the weren’t happy, I know I wouldn’t,and they're certainly not here for the money

[STEVE P]

16 hours ago, Therein73 said:

Very clear after tonight's Fans Forum that PM will be in charge next year ...

Yippee.

His choice of Coaches Player of the Season says it all.