Re: Other Teams' Rumours And Signings For 2021 : Sat Sep 19, 2020 7:15 pm  

I've been one of his biggest critics and whilst I'm still not 100% convinced, the last two games have been superb.

Re: Other Teams' Rumours And Signings For 2021 : Sat Sep 19, 2020 11:37 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I've been one of his biggest critics and whilst I'm still not 100% convinced, the last two games have been superb.

Seconded

Re: Other Teams' Rumours And Signings For 2021 : Sun Sep 20, 2020 6:45 am  

Pie_Eyter wrote:

Not bothered about Flower going, been on the decline for a good few years and I still can't forgive him for THAT incident. What a waste of money that evening was, thanks Ben. He could have redeemed himself a bit but injury record and poor form have both been poor.

Can't help feel sorry for Stevie Ward though. He is clearly a very talented player but his career at the top level seems effectively over at the age of 26. It's a bloody shame because he could have been one of the best in the comp if not the best. Reminds me a bit of Gary Wheeler. He stood out as a young half back but got derailed almost instantly with multiple injuries.

Yes, what Flower did in the grand final was both bad and wrong, but in the many seasons he has played for the club he has been a good prop forward signing and does not deserve the nasiness that some supporters say about him because of one incident.

We all make mistakes in life, except of course those who think they are perfect and never do anything wrong!

Re: Other Teams' Rumours And Signings For 2021 : Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:20 am  

jonh wrote:

Once again, who does he consistently get the best out of?

Last year he had a very special player and man of steel. This year they are poor.

Last week despite numerous players missing and a pack made up of kids we absolutely dominated Catalans. Outplayed them in every department.

Salford have lost that player (to us) and have literally dropped like a stone down the league table.

Yesterday Salford beat Catalans in extra time and Watson is still regarded by some as some kind of super coach.

Personally don’t get it.

Nat saying he is a bad coach by the way just applying some common sense to the situation.

Just because a Coach is good at a lower club, it does not always mean that he will be a good coach at a higher club.

A good example was Maurice Bamford in the early days of the gang of four running the club was appointed coach of Wigan on the strength of similar success at Halifax, but was a flop with us and had his contract terminated.

Re: Other Teams' Rumours And Signings For 2021 : Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:56 am  

Ruddy Duck wrote:

Just because a Coach is good at a lower club, it does not always mean that he will be a good coach at a higher club.

A good example was Maurice Bamford in the early days of the gang of four running the club was appointed coach of Wigan on the strength of similar success at Halifax, but was a flop with us and had his contract terminated.

You do realise that it works both ways tho.

Whilst not being a "bigger club" than us, Madge for all intents and purposes moved up when he went to South's. Holbrook did the same (especially with the investment the GCT have backed him with). Trent Robinson finished 6th and 4th with Catalan, won nothing and yet has created an dynasty at the Roosters.

Over the last 2 seasons Watson has lead his side to a GF and CC semi final. I'd say he's being as successful as he possibly can be.

Would it be a gamble? Yes, but no more so than going to the NRL as for every Madge there's a Steve Price, Furner or Woolford.

Re: Other Teams' Rumours And Signings For 2021 : Sun Sep 20, 2020 11:19 am  

Ruddy Duck wrote:

Just because a Coach is good at a lower club, it does not always mean that he will be a good coach at a higher club.

A good example was Maurice Bamford in the early days of the gang of four running the club was appointed coach of Wigan on the strength of similar success at Halifax, but was a flop with us and had his contract terminated.

We were hardly a big club when Bamford was coach (my very first season watching Wigan in 83 when he was there). We'd only just come back up from the 2nd Division and there were at least 7-8 teams that were miles ahead of where we would end up only a couple of years later (Widnes, both Hull teams, Leigh, Leeds, Warrington and Saints were all much stronger than us at this point).

It was only when Alex Murphy was appointed as well as astute recruitment and youth development coming through did we start to head up the table and challenge for honours.

Re: Other Teams' Rumours And Signings For 2021 : Sun Sep 20, 2020 12:23 pm  

I think it worth reiterating with regards to Lam that he has not had an easy ride of it. His first season was marred by the Edwards fiasco and this year has been about managing Covid and all it's implications. Let's face it, no coach has shone this year and are unlikely to. In fact, I'd put Lam's performance near, if not at, the top of the pile. I'd be interested to see how he'd go in a season not completely disrupted by external factors.

Re: Other Teams' Rumours And Signings For 2021 : Sun Sep 20, 2020 12:28 pm  

jonh wrote:

We are playing some cracking rugby, we are joint top of the league and into a Challenge Cup semi final.

We have some experienced players like Powell, Farrell, Hardaker and Tommy in particular who even at the stages of their careers have improved massively under him.

There are more kids getting significant game time in big games than I can ever remember.

He has been a key figure in bringing French and Hastings to the club.

I really don’t know what more Lam has to do to convince some he is doing a good job.

Your season is mirror imaging ours, in that we have an equal opportunity to compete for both prizes on offer (three if you wish to include the hubcap). We've had calls for Price to be replaced for reasons of both results, and/or the way the team plays.
As things stand, with both clubs in good shape to challenge at the business end of the season, would IL or SJM seriously consider a change at the helm? The only way that any such notion would be entertained, is if AL or SP had had a word with their chairman and said that they'd enjoyed their time at the club, but it was time for a change and wished to return home to Australia.

Re: Other Teams' Rumours And Signings For 2021 : Sun Sep 20, 2020 12:53 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I've been one of his biggest critics and whilst I'm still not 100% convinced, the last two games have been superb.

Agreed

Re: Other Teams' Rumours And Signings For 2021 : Sun Sep 20, 2020 12:58 pm  

Grimmy wrote:

If we beat Leeds then Wire (or Salford) to lift the cup I'm sure even his biggest critic would give it up.

I think I’d have to, I would look a bit silly as would others. I already know full well he’s our coach for 2021 irrespective of cup/league success (or not).

To follow on with Watson; I do like him as a coach and he has turned Salford around. He may be capable, he may not be as it is for any other coach out there. IMO he’d be better served going to Leeds and taking them back to where they were. They’re a club in dire need of resurrecting whereas for me we don’t need resurrecting, just taking to the next level where we should be. Having said that we’ve been playing exceptionally for the past few games.