: Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:15 pm  

In fact, hit this site and point out the one club whose results you wish we had since Nobby left, Leeds and Saints apart. Catalans? Like I said, lay down and died at home to Wigan and in the cup final at Wembley, and failed to maintain a real challenge for a top two spot despite Leeds wobbling. Now that may seem harsh, but if Bradford side had replicated those exact results over the past four years... if a Bradford side had started this season with a home thrashing by Huddersfield... Go on, I dare you. Who has had a good set of results since 2006?

In fact, hit this site and point out the one club whose results you wish we had since Nobby left, Leeds and Saints apart. Catalans? Like I said, lay down and died at home to Wigan and in the cup final at Wembley, and failed to maintain a real challenge for a top two spot despite Leeds wobbling. Now that may seem harsh, but if Bradford side had replicated those exact results over the past four years... if a Bradford side had started this season with a home thrashing by Huddersfield... Go on, I dare you. Who has had a good set of results since 2006?

: Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:22 pm  

af wrote:

But results do not bear out the idea that McNamara is clueless. The club's results during his tenure have been at least the equal of every other club in the league with the two obvious exceptions.

So McNamara has tenure... Looks like ME and co will be stuck with him for a while yet

af wrote:

ME and others talk about McNamara failing to fix 'the problems' as though they're one of the women off Last of the Summer Wine and Steve Mac is their feckless husband who hasn't got round to putting those shelves up because he's too busy rolling down a hill in a bath.

Brilliant

[Bullseye]

: Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:43 pm  

af wrote:

Have I said long-term enough? Hope so, because someone had to.

I know where you're coming from Andy because I've said plenty to that effect myself.

However there's no getting away from the fact that since 2006 performances and results have got worse. I know we're going through a major transition and it was always going to be tough but after a while people will want to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

If the strategy is to sacrifice the present for long term benefit you have to be careful you don't go too far or by the time it bears fruit there's nobody watching anymore, no money left and you can't hang onto the young players you've been nurturing. You need to find a balance.

At the moment some people think things are alright others think we're still on a downward path. Just a sign that better times are around the corner would satisfy me and maybe some others. If that's seeing a few juniors show some positive signs for the first team or us show some improvement to our defence around the ruck I'd be happy. Others may want to see more. 2009 really is make or break for McNamara and the "long term" policy or there won't be any fans left to see it come about.

I think a lot of people on here fear that we won't see any of that if the opening games are anything to go by. I realise only 2 games have been played and there's plenty of time left but frustrations are building.

: Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:15 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

If the strategy is to sacrifice the present for long term benefit you have to be careful you don't go too far or by the time it bears fruit there's nobody watching anymore, no money left and you can't hang onto the young players you've been nurturing. You need to find a balance.

Indeed. If things carry on slipping there is no guarantee Bradford will continue to get SL franchises - admittedly things will have to get a lot worse though.

That said it is still early days on the field and I have a feeling things will improve soon.

: Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:21 pm  

d:REAM for entrance music then?

[Bullseye]

: Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:24 pm  

I think the "Enter Sandman" that they use now is quite apt. Some of our attacking play is so predictable it sends you to sleep

: Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:31 pm  

One thing though Sam - attendances and on-field performance don't seem to show athat great a correlation. CF 2004, 2007 - both decent years in terms of how the team played but both seeing a drop off in support.

: Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:35 pm  

Asim wrote:

d:REAM for entrance music then?

You might want to avoid those New Labour connotations in the current political/economic climate - unless Gordon Brown decides to bankroll the OSV project to rejuvenate the economy

[Bullseye]

: Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:15 pm  

af wrote:

One thing though Sam - attendances and on-field performance don't seem to show athat great a correlation. CF 2004, 2007 - both decent years in terms of how the team played but both seeing a drop off in support.

2004 - after the Lord Mayor's Show. 2003 was simply the best ever and would've been hard to follow.

2007 - The worst summer weather on record had a bit to do with it.

For the most part across RL you tend to get more fans when you're successful.

: Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:18 pm  

af wrote:

It boils down to this. It's not as bad as you make out, and there is no short-cut to success in any case (Bird could have been it, but sh.t happens). We're not particularly well off, we're no longer particuarly well supported, I'm hoping that Hood et al show particularly large balls, face down the mob and see the plan through. That's the only realistic way I can see Bradford becoming exceptional again.

Being of the generally positive pursuation, I've been backing McNamara and espeically the long term plan to bring through another generation of young stars, as i dont really see the point of sacking him in the final year of his contract for little guarenteed improvement. So I agree with most of your sentiments af. However, where I have a problem is why does all the long term solutions need to be so tightly pinned to Mcnamara?

Could the "club, Hood et al" rather than just the coach not be the driving force to reinvent itself? Such that if we replace the head coach for whatever reason with a suitably qualifed and respected replacement (insert name here) that the new regime can continue any good work whilst attempting to rectify any percieved failings on the pitch. So the kids and stars like Burgess stay and the community programs and Cumbria scouting continue, irrespective of the head coach as the "Bradford Club" has good long term plans not just the coach.

I'd hate to think our entire long term future if dependant upon McNamara alone, if he ends up being very successful (stay with me ME and others ) then he could up sticks and take a better club opportunity, what then for the long term planning?

But generally I wouldnt advocate sacking McNamara this year unless an absolute collapse of form and lack of wins occurs, which you cant forecast from a disjointed start to the year IMHO (we look rusty from not playing decent opposition in pre season if you ask me, some of the attacking failings in the first two games are what i would expect in preseason) where with a bit more luck and intellegent rugby we'd have won at least one out of two against two well organised and determined teams.

It all feels a bit cr@p at the mo, but I agree that its not as bad as some make out.....yet (ask me again after we play Nobles mob)