I worry that we have no assistant coach who can offer an alternative view to B M's, and also someone with some ability to implement a team attacking structure to lean on, which stands some chance of getting the ball out to our backs with room to take us forward.

The appointment of someone with vision is IMO vital

The other aspect to this seems to make the coach unsackable mid term, unlike with Wakey and

Hull KR. Another match following a change of coach.......we will need to up our aggression and energy.

Firstly, why would we want to sack our coach? We're doing well this season.



Should we lose the semi-final, finish 6th in the league and lose in the first round of the playoffs then maybe I'll let you have this discussion.







What?! Do you want to clarify what you mean.

It's quite frustrating that every time it's mentioned that it's time for McDermott to go, people on here instantly say we're jumping the gun based on a couple of performances but if we're honest, we haven't played an exciting brand of rugby for a number of years now. The selections have been questionable at best and although at the beginning of this season our defence was solid its now nothing more than a shambles. Even when the defence was solid a lot of it was scrambling and last minute tackles and saves (the amount of times Hardaker has held an opposition player up is impressive).



So I'm not saying it's time to wield the axe, but what I would question is at what point do we start to question the coaches ability to field a consistent team? Hull KR who I thought were playing well, especially in the game against Huddersfield axed Sandercock without hesitation - as the OP states, why is Mac unsackable? Why shouldn't we question his game tactics, yes we may end up turning the season around but if you compare our team to that of the likes of Wigan, Warrington and Cas we're definitely 4th if not 5th/6th best in the league...



I await the comments regarding our league position, I am already aware we are 2nd with good points difference but that doesn't answer the questions above.



I still also think we need a good assistant coach, all the big teams have one - what makes us any different?

Look around you. All the other top clubs are dropping points or not hitting top form. Pots aren't won in July.

Same thread, different name.

And I worry that there are supporters who cry for the head of the coach when things are not going well. May I remind you that with almost three quarters of the season gone we are still in 2nd place and in the semi final of the cup once again. At the half way point we were top and the form side in the competition and that during this period we had the best defence and our backs were scoring plenty of trys. In fact despite the recent leaky defence we still have let in the fewest points.



Since then several things have happened which have brought about a drop in performance. Firstly injuries and in particular the loss of Burrow for so long as he is such a key attacking player no matter what position he occupies. Secondly loss of form of other key players for example Sinfield who for so long has been a key part in our attacking plays. Thirdly some of the youngsters and reserves have shown why they are not yet ready to replace the regular first choices. And last but not least the extended suspension of an in form Hardaker has also played a negative part.



None of the above important factors could in any way be due to BM. Having worked well pre-season to get the team in shape for a good start he also had them peak for the tough run of fixtures that took us to the top. It was only to be expected that there would be a drop off in the mental intensity at some stage and the injuiries to in-form players have compounded this.



No matter how good the coach he cannot give a player form and players have only one way to recover lost form - and that is by playing. Gone are the days when senior players could have a couple of weeks in the 2nd team to regain form. The likes if Sinfield can hardly turn out for the U/19s can he?



You also assume that when the team are not playing well or individuals make wrong decisions on the field it is the fault of the coach or a "lack of structure". Getting a team to run like a well oiled machine is not easy and requires that the players follow the game plan and practiced structures but it doesn't take much for all this to go wrong and when it does it is usually a player or players who are at fault.



Fortunately most of the other top sides have been going through similar patches of poor form and injuries. So on the positive side we have quite a number of key players to return. Burrow, Sinfield. Hardaker, Ablett. JJB, Leuluai plus Kirke Achurch and Clarkson too. Once the coach has this lot back in contention he will be able to build up the mental intensity for the business end of the season and hopefully a return to form and sharpness.

What's wrong with some people?

Basically if we're not winning 40-0 every week some people aren't happy. And I'm willing to bet they'd find some other reason for the coach to be sacked.

I'm willing to debate things the coach has got wrong, some of his selections at centre earlier in the season, or leaving players on the bench for instance. But I don't believe it's the coach's fault when senior, experienced players don't play well enough.

Players like Sinfield, McGuire, Bailey, Kirke etc haven't been good enough or haven't stood up to lead when they should at times this year. That's by far a bigger reason for our disappointing performances at times, in my opinion.

I agree with all this. However, would respectfully add that I do think the same applies to a lot of other coaches who have actually bitten the bullitt.



Truth is, IF he fails this year, I can see it taken out of his hands and changes will be made by the club. Those changes may only include hand picking themselves a fulltime assistant, or make a more long term decision of planning new coach for at the end of 2015.

Isn't it naturally winding to an end anyway of Macs tenure? this is Mac's 4th season (??) in charge, a change wouldn't be surprising. to freshen things up etc. With the vital pivots nearing an end of their careers over the next couple of seaons, may need someone special to oversee that transition.

Has anyone (tvoc) got any stats on what the average SL coach's tenure is? 4 years does sound about right but not having any stats to back this up it is simply a guess.

we are second on the ladder and in the cup semi,hardly crisis times.lets have this discussion in october. teams always have off periods throughout a season and ours is now it seems.im sure we will find some decent form by the time we play wire next month.

It's ironic that the knives are out for Brown at saints, who are obviously top of the league. A strange situation indeed.

What's really hit us hard is rob burrows injury, whilst sometimes he may not make everyone happy he is definitely a game winner.

At the moment lets keep calm and carry on. Obviously if we don't get to wembly or old trafford the situation will need addressing .

What would help is the addition of an assistant attack coach, prefably an ex threequarter . At the moment our threequarter offence and movement is predictable.