It's difficult to fully judge him yet as he's still working with a squad that isn't his and where mistakes where made under Potter & Simmons e.g. Perry, Hohaia.
I like the fact he's identified where our weaknesses are - half back and at prop and we've now managed to secure a half back, 2 props and we're looking at a stand off and another forward too.
Whilst injuries has crippled us we have seen some really good development of some of the younger players this season. Makinson looks to have kicked on again after being hit and miss at times last season and the likes of Swift, Thompson, Walker, Jones, Percival etc have all become fairly prominent members of the side now.
I also think he's spotted where some of our players should be playing instead of putting them in there to fill a gap. Lomax is the prime example. Some of us knew he was a full back and most of us knew he wasn't a half back. Instead of persisting with him in that position, Brown noticed this quickly and moved him. Sure it's left us short at half back, but your best players need to be playing where they are most effective and Lomax is better at full back than at 7. This will be even more noticeable next year with a recognised half guiding us around the park and supplying good ball to Lomax and the backs.
On the flip side, some of our performances this year have been beyond pathetic. Widnes and Hull KR at home were horrific and it has seemed at times that we have lacked committment and drive. Whilst things are rosey now, we shouldn't forget how poor we were early doors and realistically the best we can hope for is 5th which would equal our worst position in the SL era.
Our defence and discipline in particular has been poor this season, although this seems to have picked up in the last 6 or 7 weeks. Maybe it's an attitude thing with the players? But I would say it's upto the coach to instil a mentality into the players and ensure they are professional enough to go about their jobs correctly.
I'm also a little bit wary of the sentimental value we still place on certain players at the club. Wellens being the prime example but also players like Gardner and Laffranchi too who aren't really good enough anymore.
And finally, how many of the coaching methods have led to the unfortunate injuries or is this purely a conditioning issue? I'm not sure but I've never known an 'injury crisis' like it at Saints and it all can't be put down to luck surely?
I've holding my full judgment until next season when he has a side that's more like his. Hopefully we can cause a few problems in the play offs, but I don't think any of us realistically believe we will be at Old Trafford this year. I think if we make the Semi Final we've done well considering.