Radford : Sun Feb 14, 2016 9:29 am  

The subject of much vitriol over the last couple of seasons.

I think most would concede that he's improved the quality of the squad, our attacking play looks to be in a better place, and team spirit is better. In the context of the negativity he's attracted thus far, maybe he deserves a little credit?

Re: Radford : Sun Feb 14, 2016 9:41 am  

He does. He's strengthened the squad and engendered a strong team spirit and bond that wasn't there under Peter Gentle.

Interchange decisions look good so far and he has made some astute selections such as moving Tuimavave to the centre.

Re: Radford : Sun Feb 14, 2016 9:45 am  

Geezzz lets not get carried away!!!

Re: Radford : Sun Feb 14, 2016 9:50 am  

Sack him .let's get a petition up

Re: Radford : Sun Feb 14, 2016 10:11 am  

I remember what we said about Richard Agar back in 2010. It wasn't his team in 2008 or 2009, so we'll judge him on this season. Great signings in Long, Fitz, O'Meley and Turner. A great first couple of wins against big teams. We were on the way to the final! Then we lost to Crusaders away and Salford away a few games later. Back to bland rugby and the same old same old. But not before we have Agar another 2 year contract extension!

Let's just see if it lasts longer than two games before going over the top. I've read fans of other clubs calling us GF contenders already. Let's just keep our feet on the ground before we (as usual) become disappointed with the high expectations not being met!

Re: Radford : Sun Feb 14, 2016 10:34 am  

Who's gone over the top?

Just praise where it's due.

Re: Radford : Sun Feb 14, 2016 10:50 am  

I thought Radford's appointment was a mistake. I thought the way it happened with the apparent undermining of Gentle and the gleeful hopping aboard the Blackpool Pleasure Bus as we were still dismounting from our coaches after the Huddersfied coup was cheap and an unwelcome illustration of the state of affairs.

As a coach my reservations were not concerning his knowledge or technical skill but I had severe doubts about his man management skills, particularly with regard to that particular set of men and his closeness to them. If there was a Gentle coup then the foundations of trust could not have existed - a poor way to establish respect and honour in the squad. But even if that didn't happen Radford had been a friend and teammate of too many of them, inequalities and the spectre of nepotism was always going to hover.

So for me the question was always going to be around attitude and Radford's willingness and ability to cope with it. And I still think that this has been the stumbling block of the last 2 years - there were still too many old mates and deadwood muddying the waters and undermining team cohesion, imo. But not now.

This year is the first year the team are all 'new school'. No cancer left. I believe this is the difference and Radford has no lingering 'obligations' and can manage them mentally as he needs to. I once said he could do with 2 years away from the club as a new manager to establish himself in that role, then return with no one at the club having 'expectations'. As it happened the 2 years were spent here and we have all seen the sometimes painful consequences of that as Radford grew into the role and had to expunge the inevitable constraints of being a 'home grown' newby manager.

I think he's through it. The team spirit and attitude are currently superb. Coupled with a ridiculous pack and the right people in the backs we are seeing glorious results. If Radford can nurture and retain that attitude in his men we could be in for a good time this season. Now is Radford's time. He's taken intense stick and come through it. From what I've seen this season he deseves our support, now. He's got mine at last.

Re: Radford : Sun Feb 14, 2016 10:54 am  

ComeOnYouUll wrote:

Who's gone over the top?

Just praise where it's due.

Exactly.

Radford had copped some flack (as has Pearson) on here. Credit where it's due.

I view hasn't changed. I said before a ball was kicked, we needed to win at least 5 of our opening 8 games for it to be considered a reasonable start. Anything after that was a bonus. I thought the games against Cats, Wigan ans Wire would be the biggest tests in these first 8 games. We dismantled Cats, so in my mind that's 2 bonus points from a place wee rarely get anything from.

Early days, but positive stuff so far.

Re: Radford : Sun Feb 14, 2016 10:58 am  

Its the support he had when the going was tough that really counts though, innit?
Who knows, it still might be.
The fickle will be able to jump back behind their sofas and start lobbing the grenades once again.

Re: Radford : Sun Feb 14, 2016 11:09 am  

Every set of fans are fickle and the coaches will realise this so when you get beat which will happen you can expect certain fans to dissect Radfords tactics and rubbish his credentials were all doing the same with Chester at the moment it's just part of been a fan we've got to blame somebody and it's usually the coach or this years nominated scapegoat player