Re: England coach : Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:45 am  

He's had 5 and a half years, I think it's time for a change. The infrastructure we have in place now is light years ahead of where it was 6 or 7 years ago and I think McNamara can take a huge amount of credit for that, but he seems very limited in his coaching ability and I think we need someone else to come in and freshen things up a bit. It is a difficult job in some respects because we play so few games with a full year between tournaments, and there are limited opportunities for squad camps etc., but I feel a better coach could get more out of this group of players.

We've got one of the best pools of England players available for selection that we've had for a long time, with excellent strength in depth in all positions apart from centres and the halves, but I think a new coach is needed to help force us over the line and be truly competitive against the Aussies and Kiwis on a regular basis.

Also, McNamara was originally appointed as a full time coach, whereas now not only is he part-time but also based in Australia. Any one of McDermott, Wane or Powell, or a combination of two of them, is worth a go IMO.

Re: England coach : Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:50 am  

What has turncoat Shaun Edwards done to deserve to be England RL coach? He did say last week that he still watches a lot of RL, but that was while he was being inducted to the RL Hall of Fame. He was on a radio interview a couple of years ago saying that he rarely watches rugby league anymore even though his son did.

Re: England coach : Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:50 am  

I'm not too worried about the back row, we have S Burgess, Ferres, Farrell, Bateman & Whitehead already. With Sevelio, Greenwood, Ward & J Tomkins who could all step up in the next 12 months.

Centres are an issue and Watkins needs to show something at international level because even ignoring his horror show at the weekend he's been easily handled in all his other England outings. Reed on last years form would have to take one spot, Cudjoe, Shenton and Percival would all do a good job with Percival possible having the potential to be our best. Crooks will be interesting to watch over the next few months, he was doing great at Hull and then fell on his face under Radford and slipped right off the radar. Darryl Powell will be very good for him and we'll probably see him reemerge as a credible option.

Half back is the real issue, Widdop is great at StGeorge but hasn't stood up and become the controlling and dominant half that the team needs. Williams has a lot of development ahead of him before he really genuinely becomes international class but when he does he could be great for years to come. Smith has the ability to control the team but you just don't know what you're going to get from him, he might do the job or he might not and we need more consistency and dependability from him. Gale is still untested but deserves a go especially if he backs up next season and performs to the same consistent high level.

Beyond these we are struggling for an emerging half back who looks likely to be world class

Re: England coach : Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:51 am  

McNamara has brought some professionalism and good organisation to England. But his style of rugby is quite dour. He's set a good foundation and i think it's time for someone to build on that now.

Re: England coach : Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:53 am  

The Avenger wrote:

I'm not too worried about the back row, we have S Burgess, Ferres, Farrell, Bateman & Whitehead already. With Sevelio, Greenwood, Ward & J Tomkins who could all step up in the next 12 months.

Centres are an issue and Watkins needs to show something at international level because even ignoring his horror show at the weekend he's been easily handled in all his other England outings. Reed on last years form would have to take one spot, Cudjoe, Shenton and Percival would all do a good job with Percival possible having the potential to be our best. Crooks will be interesting to watch over the next few months, he was doing great at Hull and then fell on his face under Radford and slipped right off the radar. Darryl Powell will be very good for him and we'll probably see him reemerge as a credible option.

Half back is the real issue, Widdop is great at StGeorge but hasn't stood up and become the controlling and dominant half that the team needs. Williams has a lot of development ahead of him before he really genuinely becomes international class but when he does he could be great for years to come. Smith has the ability to control the team but you just don't know what you're going to get from him, he might do the job or he might not and we need more consistency and dependability from him. Gale is still untested but deserves a go especially if he backs up next season and performs to the same consistent high level.

Beyond these we are struggling for an emerging half back who looks likely to be world class

Crooks went to Parramatta and didn't get a game.

Re: England coach : Mon Nov 16, 2015 11:06 am  

BuckleyStreetWire wrote:

Crooks went to Parramatta and didn't get a game.

AS I said, under Radford he lost all his confidence and with it his early promise, no doubt he's enjoyed his time in Aus and he's ready to resume his career and get back on track

[BOBBIE_IS_SUPERMAN]

Re: England coach : Mon Nov 16, 2015 3:50 pm  

As much as I dislike him as a person , Shaun Wane would have them going out with fire in their bellies..

Re: England coach : Mon Nov 16, 2015 7:02 pm  

Mr Churchill wrote:

Unless we can get Sean Edwards, I'd give Steve McNamara a new two year contract to run until the conclusion of the 2017 RL World Cup.

Now you're pulling one.

Re: England coach : Mon Nov 16, 2015 7:19 pm  

Willzay wrote:

McNamara has to go full stop. Can't stand the dull and predictable rugby his teams spout out. Two more years is a big no no.

Either McDermott or Powell to replace him.

Wane shouldn't be anywhere the England job, don't want a mindless brute in charge thanks,

Did you watch the 4 Nations last year? England played some great stuff.

wire-quin wrote:

We may as well stick with him as it seems we are hell bent on prioritising english players for selection who play in the NRL. At least he gets to see them.

Would Cooper and the hooker be anywhere near the team if they played in SL?

Hodgson has improved loads and definitely deserved to be in the squad on this years basis. Cooper I didn't think deserved to be in the team at first but he showed up well on Saturday.

Re: England coach : Mon Nov 16, 2015 7:31 pm  

Both Cooper and Hodgson have been excellent in the NRL, impressing even Pom-phobic Aussie fans. Both well worth their place in the squad in my book.