Re: 2020 | Squad talk : Tue Dec 03, 2019 11:34 pm  

Him wrote:

I rarely saw him as rude or arrogant. Either in his tv interviews or anywhere else. I think that’s a label that’s been attached to him without any merit.

Are you serious? Some of his interviews were cringeworthy

Re: 2020 | Squad talk : Tue Dec 03, 2019 11:39 pm  

Him wrote:

None of which is signed off without Hetherington’s ok.

That wasnt the point though was it?
The point was McD had more input in deciding who stayed who signed & who left.

Re: 2020 | Squad talk : Wed Dec 04, 2019 1:38 am  

Him wrote:

I rarely saw him as rude or arrogant. Either in his tv interviews or anywhere else. I think that’s a label that’s been attached to him without any merit.

If you watched his press conferences he was pretty clear about what he thought when people asked stupid questions - this is especially the case with one reporter who always tries to be a smart alec; that kind of stuff McDermott just isn't going to go along with. I always found this unconcealed honesty an appealing aspect of him but I guess others might consider it rude - what's certain is that it was a big part of what made him a success but there's no doubt such an approach makes enemies and, applied unvarnished to a team environment, can make things tricky.

Re: 2020 | Squad talk : Wed Dec 04, 2019 7:36 am  

The Ghost of '99 wrote:

If you watched his press conferences he was pretty clear about what he thought when people asked stupid questions - this is especially the case with one reporter who always tries to be a smart alec; that kind of stuff McDermott just isn't going to go along with. I always found this unconcealed honesty an appealing aspect of him but I guess others might consider it rude - what's certain is that it was a big part of what made him a success but there's no doubt such an approach makes enemies and, applied unvarnished to a team environment, can make things tricky.

I agree, I don’t see that as rude to another professional though and I think he’s been labelled as both rude and arrogant because of those interviews.
Tony Smith got a lot more prickly in interviews when he was at Warrington but didn’t much when he was at Leeds, yet had a reputation for having some players in tears due to his approach. I’m pretty sure all coaches have to have that unvarnished honest approach otherwise it’s never going to work at the top level.
Sinfield can be just as “arrogant” as McDermott in my view.

Basically I think it’s an unfair tag on McDermott who has been disliked by some from the very start.

Re: 2020 | Squad talk : Wed Dec 04, 2019 8:14 am  

In 2011 and 2012 he rescued two seasons when form had been erratic. I applaud him for it ,but I wonder if we had lost those two Grand Finals if he would have left earlier than he did ?

Re: 2020 | Squad talk : Wed Dec 04, 2019 9:46 am  

I find it difficult to label McD. I wouldn't call him arrogant though I might describe him as odd.
Either way, it doesn't matter in the slightest, as he's a rugby league coach and a successful one. Which fan wants a coach who's rubbish but interviews like a politician?

Re: 2020 | Squad talk : Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:53 am  

Maybe its Macs military background that is part of his character

Re: 2020 | Squad talk : Wed Dec 04, 2019 12:47 pm  

He's certainly Marmite, and if you like him you're happy to follow (as Singleton is, though the lack of prospects at Leeds would have played a part). That's fine when you're winning, but when it gets tough someone of that nature will struggle to take everyone with them, hence the bad years in 2016 and 2018. The anomaly of course is 2017 where we started poorly, including that 60 point thumping at home by Cas, but somehow the team got back up to win at Old Trafford. Not sure if that was due to BMc, player power due to the impending departure of Mags and Robbie Burrow or (more likely) a combination.

Re: 2020 | Squad talk : Wed Dec 04, 2019 5:41 pm  

met his cousin once. he said what you see is what you get. blunt, sometimes to the point of rudeness.its his way or the highway and he is never wrong.
however he is very driven, and very intelligent. more so than comes across

Re: 2020 | Squad talk : Wed Dec 04, 2019 6:56 pm  

You don’t get in the Royal Marines without having exceptional toughness and drive. I enjoyed his interviews - he’d roast some reporters, sometimes unfairly, but I liked his honesty and insight.

Actually I quite like Agar in that regard too.

In terms of blame, I think it’s a collective. I know there is no divine right for Leeds to win or be at the top of the table; but there are no good excuses for the wheels completely falling off with years to plan either. Recruitment has at times been very, very sloppy.

I don’t know whether we have the squad or coach to find success again now, but I do think the oil tanker has turned a bit, and that was the real tough part. Almost a complete squad overhaul in just over 12 months, and the side which runs out for 2020 will be almost completely renewed from the McD era.

Sounds like we are sniffing around an NRL outside back. That could be just the missing piece for now at least. When Myler and Cuthbo leave we’ll have chance to address a couple more tweaks for 2021 and we should be in business again.