Re: SACKED | Kieran Cunningham - St Helens : Wed Apr 19, 2017 12:00 am  

Judging McNamara on his time at Bradford is the same as judging Powell based on his time at Leeds. I'm far more impressed with someone who recognises the need to learn than someone who doesn't. Its plain ignorance to assume that McNamara isn't a completely different coach now than he was. That doesn't mean he's definitely a good coach now, but Powell and Wane aside I can't think of a single English coach who could possibly be considered ahead of McNamara. Plus he has the advantage of working in a far better competition than anyone else whose name might come up, including Powell and Wane.

Re: SACKED | Kieran Cunningham - St Helens : Wed Apr 19, 2017 12:04 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

That doesn't mean he's definitely a good coach now, but Powell and Wane aside I can't think of a single English coach who could possibly be considered ahead of McNamara.

you dont rate McDermott then?

Re: SACKED | Kieran Cunningham - St Helens : Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:02 am  

TBH he completely slipped my mind! In all seriousness he'd be up there but if I was looking on behalf of another club, particularly one thats looking to rebuild, I'd probably go for McNamara ahead of him.

Re: SACKED | Kieran Cunningham - St Helens : Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:31 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

Judging McNamara on his time at Bradford is the same as judging Powell based on his time at Leeds. I'm far more impressed with someone who recognises the need to learn than someone who doesn't. Its plain ignorance to assume that McNamara isn't a completely different coach now than he was. That doesn't mean he's definitely a good coach now, but Powell and Wane aside I can't think of a single English coach who could possibly be considered ahead of McNamara. Plus he has the advantage of working in a far better competition than anyone else whose name might come up, including Powell and Wane.

Powell's time at Leeds was a positive one though. League position improved, and he blooded a generation of youngsters that went on to form the nucleus of a title-winning team for the next decade. McNamara lacked more at Bradford than a killer instinct in finals.

I get it that McNamara has improved since his time at Bradford, but he was there a longer time than Powell at Leeds, in which time there wasn't much to speak of in terms of improvements. While the decline of the Bulls was undoubtedly primarily a factor of the financial situation, McNamara accelerated the decline IMO by dismantling the successful team inherited from Noble and replacing players with mediocre also-rans. This is the guy that kept faith with the likes of Halley, Sykes, Platt, and Sheriffe on a regular basis (among the worst backlines in SL), pinned the team's hopes on the back of flop signings like Matt Orford, and allowed other marquee players to lose condition i.e. Solomona, whose weight ballooned.

In terms of results it is also worth mentioning two huge capitulations in knock-out matches under McNamara, including a play-off match against Wigan in which they were leading by 30 points, and a CC match against the Catalans in which a similar lead was squandered. McNamara's Bulls were also the first SL team to lose to the Celtic Crusaders... I could go on. Interestingly, Mick Potter managed to do a lot better in his second season before the Bulls suddenly needed a big bailout...

Re: SACKED | Kieran Cunningham - St Helens : Wed Apr 19, 2017 4:08 pm  

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Don't think you can blame McNarmara for dismantling their successful team. From the 2005 GF, Peacock, Pryce and Paul were already lined up for other clubs for 2006 and don't know how he could've stop Fielden's big money move to Wigan or Vianikolo and Hape going to RU. I'm sure he'd like to have replaced these guys with better players than he got.

His first full season in 2007 he would've finished above us into 2nd had it not been for 'that' Tansey try at MM.

Re: SACKED | Kieran Cunningham - St Helens : Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:31 pm  

McNamara would be a gamble for any top club. He may be a great head coach or not. Eventually someone will take that chance and then we'll find out. From his time with England, I thought he came across well in his interviews and spoke sense. As others have alluded, he's been coaching in our premier comp and should hopefully have picked up some ideas that would enhance a SL clubs approach to the game.

Re: SACKED | Kieran Cunningham - St Helens : Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:26 pm  

McNamara suffers from being a known quantity. My bet is that if he hadnt managed Bradford and done what he did with England and as an assistant there would be clamour at every club to get him.

Re: SACKED | Kieran Cunningham - St Helens : Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:38 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

McNamara suffers from being a known quantity. My bet is that if he hadnt managed Bradford and done what he did with England and as an assistant there would be clamour at every club to get him.

Completely agree with this.

Yes he made mistakes at Bradford, but it was his first real crack at the top job and the place was crumbling around him. Blaming him for Orford being a flop is a bit harsh too - at the time, Orford was still regarded as one of the best number 7's running around (though he was clearly on the wrong side of his peak) - at the time, fans of pretty much every Super League club would have wanted Orford - his injuries and relative poor form (he was good in patches) couldn't have been foreseen.

I reckon whichever club takes a chance on him will very much reap the rewards. I thought he did well with England (we appear to have gone backwards so far since he left the role), and he's now gone and got himself some great experience in the NRL.

He could be a revelation if he returns.

Another I've mentioned previously that would probably be baulked at by most Super League clubs/fans (probably because he'll be remembered as a journeyman player) is Jason Demetreu... he did well in his stint at Keighley and now he's very well thought of down under and has won honours with every team he's coached down there....

Re: SACKED | Kieran Cunningham - St Helens : Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:46 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

McNamara suffers from being a known quantity. My bet is that if he hadnt managed Bradford and done what he did with England and as an assistant there would be clamour at every club to get him.

I only watch Roosters games in the NRL, so couldn't comment on him being a recent known quantity. the known part for the majority of fans who don't watch the Warriors would be Bradford and England. Bradford was a poisoned chalice and England.......well he did okay with what he had.

Re: SACKED | Kieran Cunningham - St Helens : Wed Apr 19, 2017 7:55 pm  

Superted wrote:

I reckon whichever club takes a chance on him will very much reap the rewards. I thought he did well with England (we appear to have gone backwards so far since he left the role), and he's now gone and got himself some great experience in the NRL.

I agree I think he could do quite well but he would still have pick the right club who are running things well, don't think he could turn any club around.

Two clubs that could potentially be looking for a new coach between now and the start of new season imo is Hudds and Catalans. The latter I think he could do quite well at and get them back towards pushing for top 4. With Hudds, as one of his former clubs there's a link there but at this particular point doesn't look like a good choice.