: Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:36 am  

I think the worst time to talk to a coach is immediately after a game. They are so hyped up that they are likely to say things that they will regret later.

Anyway he has been praisd in the past for his straight talking. You cant have it both ways.

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:39 am  

Brian like the team is doing it tough, the current crop of injuries has come at the time when the play-off rush begins, unfortunate, if it had come at the start of the season we could be passed it now. He can't, with the limited squad, do miracles given the club's current resources. He does not have to 'interact' with fans but anyone who goes away will know he always acknowledges the fans and is always praising our away support. Get off his back. If injuries conspire to sink our play-offs this year it is because of the paucity of resources, look at what Wigan and Warrington can call on. The fact that resources ultimately rely on what comes through the gate, and hence our current crisis. It is not Brian's primary concern to get fans through the gates but if we are to compete that is what we all need to do.

Get behind the team, they may lack spark at the moment but I feared the Giants would walk all over us on Saturday, as in the past two games and the fact that they didn't speaks volumes. We could have sneaked something, but get over it and get behind the team coz they sure need it.

A month ago Brian was a god, but how we miss Purdo and DORN!, (where are his critics now?) -

ps I know where you are Mr Lister!

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:54 am  

I'm with you Pop Pan. The team are doing it tough at the moment and if rumours in the bar on Saturday are right, we will continue to struggle for quite a while yet.

Re Brian Mac, I've spoken to him many times after games and I've always found him to be very friendly (although I don't usually speak to him after losses!).

On the point about coaches interaction with fans, I would bet we have more access to our players and coaches than any other club ( both on matchday and with the fans forums.)

Brian McDermott : Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:04 am  

Think Brian Mc has just had another one of his 'after the Catalan defeat in Cardiff last year' moments again. Wasn't at the game on Saturday but it must be incredibly frustrating to see the team go from being solid to making mistake after mistake and losing again! Thing that worries me is if at the end of the season we miss the play offs could one of the bigger clubs up North lure him away! How long does he want to carry on here if another season is going to trail away to nothing again? I know we have Purdo and Dorn out but we have a number of senior players out there yet no-one seems to be taking charge! Next game in France is going to be critical as to us making the playoffs or not - on current form it doesn't look like it but a win over Catalans, a decent performance against Saints and wins over the Bulls and it could all be back on again!

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:04 am  

We are punching well above our weight IMO........5th place was always going to be tough to maintain and I think other coaches have figured out how to beat us.......by simply doing the basics.....ie, completing sets and defending well.
We are also missing 2 of our 3 game breakers and any team would struggle if that happened. Take Sinfield and Burrows from Leeds and they would struggle......same goes for any team.
Keep the faith!

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:45 am  

poplar panther wrote:

A month ago Brian was a god, but how we miss Purdo and DORN!, (where are his critics now?) -

ps I know where you are Mr Lister!

McDermott has never been a God. He has taken our team precisely nowhere so far bar occasional freak results and you can't argue with that. It did indeed look like we might be getting somewhere but as GF alludes to, we were indeed punching well above our wait.

We are missing Purdham yes but missing Dorn is not a huge concern - fine, he scores occasionally but he doesnt change the way we play or offer any organisational attacking advantages, something we are desperate for. We wander around the park and nobody can take control of anything. As I have posted before, I would love to see the club bring in an EXPERIENCED stand off next season, not a 1 trick pony.

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:49 am  

Look at the stats, Mr Lister, Dorn is still 10th in try assists in SL this season even though he has been out for 3 weeks. Orr is top!

I knew you wouldn't let it lie, ho ho ho.

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:54 am  

poplar panther wrote:

Look at the stats, Mr Lister, Dorn is still 10th in try assists in SL this season even though he has been out for 3 weeks. Orr is top!

I knew you wouldn't let it lie, ho ho ho.

Hurrah. We have been through this whole stats lying before. I'm probably biting here but i'm not bothered, if you (not you personally, but in general) think Dorn is a key man in our side then you are deluded IMO, I lost count of the number of poor games he had at the start of the season. I for one am not missing his abysmal kicking game, hiding out on the wings and his greedy play and cluelessness with ball in hand. The only moment I recall him doing something of value was at Salford away - well done Luke, you got one over on the side second bottom of the ladder.

Do you realise why Orr is top?

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:03 am  

You clearly did not see him at Cas or Crusaders away. That's 3 games he has been a major player in plus 10 try assists, yes, he is a major player in our side and he is being sorely missed.

But I think we will have to agree to differ, great work on the flag by the way!

: Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:06 am  

poplar panther wrote:

You clearly did not see him at Cas or Crusaders away. That's 3 games he has been a major player in plus 10 try assists, yes, he is a major player in our side and he is being sorely missed.

But I think we will have to agree to differ, great work on the flag by the way!

Two more quality sides he's played well against then That was Cas' worst performance of the season and Celtic are just terrible.

I saw him at Cas. He got the interception and then did very little for the rest of the game as it was clearly a slog in the forwards.