and in that time...

saved us from relegation
one game away from the grand final twice
challenge cup semi final

and you still want him sacked?

Regardless of the wider issues regarding Noble, I simply don't (and hope I never do) view losing in semi-finals as any level of achievement.

Seriously?

[/quote]Had you said c'mon Wakey, Hull or Quins I could have stomached it more but I can't bear the thought of Cas fans gloating after all the bleating they've done since they were relegated.[/quote]

If they do win, and on current showing they have every opportunity to, then perhaps that's a sign that they've progressed at a greater rate than we have?

My main reason for not wanting Noble sacked yet is purely because I feel he has earned more time.

He took over a club in turmoil and has now stabilised the club. The question is whether or not he can take us to the next level. It's only two games into the season with a new half back combination to boot so I think it's far too early to talk of sacking the coach.

If mid season we are still showing no signs of improvement then I think it would be time to question Noble's future. Last nights performance despite losing was an improvement on last week (although it couldn't get much worse). I actually want us to batter Cas next week and the players then go on a winning run playing with confidence.

I could never want my team to lose even when Millward was coach. You say you want what is best for the club but the way it comes across when reading your posts is that you're more interested in boosting your ego. That may not be your intention.

Yes there have been some bad performances over the last 2 years, Huddersfield at home etc but there have been some good ones, Leeds away etc so I don't think it's been all doom and gloom under Noble. The good performances have shown us the coach and players are capable, the challenge is doing it on a consistent basis. I would say see where we are come July and then re-assess. Far too early in the season to judge IMO.

We did play better as a team yeasterday but even kids ages 8 or 9 are taught to catch a bomb when its put up it wasnt a schoolball error its a profesional player on a good wage that kids look up 2 im not critising roberts just that if you play wing/full back its your job to catch high kicks.

What a complete and utter john thomas you really are!!!...Why dont you put in for nobles job???, you claim to know everything there is about noble and the club??, so send your cv in and show us all your not just a nerd with at best an amature rl background who uses fancy words and summarises everything anyone says, and hates the mere ground noble walks on cause he wouldnt autograph your matchday programme many moons ago!!

Spot on! Come on Jonh, you claim to know everything about coaching so why are you not coaching? Lets face it,Noble has forgot more than you will ever know. You certainly talk a good game,lets see you in action.

Only in the play-offs and I think the players motivate themselves in such circumstances.

Seriously. I used to back Noble for the sake of continutity and stability but it's gone from stability to stagnation. Many users here have questioned the style of rugby we play, not just in the past couple of games but in the season previous; at best it's brought us inconsistancy in the regular season followed by a run in the play-offs, but always a bridge too far.

FWIW, even if we lose, I don't think Noble will quit or IL will sack him. I do not expect IL to renew Noble's contract and we'll be in the market for a new coach after another write-off year. I don't believe in change for the sake of it; however, I do think it's time to explore other avenues. All Jonh appears to be advocating is to expedite this situation; it seems distasteful but the end result would be what I expect to happen at the end of the season anyway.