Cuthbo, Ferres and Delaney and Moon are the only first choice players who honestly look like they are giving it their all. Others such as Walters, Keinhorst, Lilley, Handley hold their heads up and take some pride in how they've filled in.

Too many big names not playing at the required standard, for whatever reason that might be.

Not sure I agree with that. Delaney is nothing more than a bit part, so hard to judge. Moon has made some horrendous errors and poor tackling. Yes, some good defence also, but not sure how you can equate that to putting in more than others.

Out of those you mentioned, only really Ferres has put his body on the line week after week, and up until Friday in the limited games he has had since return, JJB followed this up.

Throughout this tough period I do think Handley has come of age in that side, and really does look the part now. As for others, I just think because of the results there isn't the trust in one another like it was, and they are certainly not happy with the tactics employed.

It'd be weird if the players weren't questioning the tactics and we have been here before under McDermott. The previous time(s) we had leaders who he felt able to trust to try things their way. This time, I'm not sure we have that leadership, nor am I sure that McDermott will trust it even if we have. I'm not of the opinion that he's lost the dressing room yet but unless things change - and soon - it's almost inevitable that he will. That said, whether by good luck, judgement or both he's always managed to steer away from the rocks, often at the very last minute.

Sorry Garrett was one of the few positives on Friday. At least he took the ball forward!

JJB has been running his blood to water since he's come back - a team full of JJB's work ethic and we wouldn't be in this mess.

Seems some of our "in the loop" pundits are floating the idea that the players are not happy with the tactics employed by the coach.

Would these be the tactics of dropping the ball over the line, or missing tackles, or leaving big gaps in defense, or not passing when you should, or passing when you shouldn't, or dying with the ball on the last tackle? If so then indeed this a not a very good game plan.

However as the coach has proven over many years he does have good game plans and does have good defensive structures then surely it is much more likely to be due to the players that are not following the game plan because of a lack of timing and form (which will return) or in certain cases a lack of skill which has been highlighted when they have had to play without JP & Sinny.(which is much harder to sort in the short term) and of course not having a settled side due to an ongoing injury list.

It has also been hinted that there may also have been some off the field behavioral problems of which I know nothing. If so then when the squad returns to full fitness I would hope that appropriate action is then taken.

Without a Sinfield replacement with proven class our attack is going to struggle but IMO we still have enough experience and quality in the side to still mount a winning run. But if there are players whose abilities were made to look better than they really are due to the quality of Sinny and JP then we need make some changes in the playing staff. Warrington had a bad season after they lost Briers etc and then made wholesale changes to the squad with very positive results. Key recruitment was at half back where experience and quality has paid off so far. They chose to change the players and not the coach.

I would say you only had to be present at the least two games to see they are not happy with the tactics. That is very clear from the body language shown by the players. You don't need to be in any loop for that, you just have to open your eyes.




Well considering in the build up to the Cas game McDermott said that Cas just seem to have worked out a way of beating us and causing problems. Those problems very clear, as they have been in each game since then, and the preceeding games to then, our right hand edge of defence is picked off with ease, and nearly all the try's conceeded are coming through that same area. It doesn't matter who defends there, Ablett or someone else, or Watkins moved to wing, the same keeps happening every game. That is a defensive structure problem, not a player problem.

I also know for a fact, so maybe you can class this as "in the loop" if that is what it is, that Sutcliffe has been told to run the ball. This despite all the times he has overlaps outside him, maybe he is taking his coach too literally? But then again you would think the coach would then say something to change this, considering the amount of games it has happened.

Another instruction from our coach, which started last year towards the tend of the year, and to be fair we still won with this tactic, but where kicks are put in to us, that the wingers pass back inside to run to the middle. This despite sometimes having acres of space in front of them to run to.

How do players go from been good defensively to poop? is there another reason? especially considering they are not replaced because of it, and it doesn't improve the next week.




This has been repeated many times, including the coach, that Sinfield and JP did a lot of the training and the tactics in games. So maybe, just maybe your first line there is not the case. If he has proven before he has it right, then he is most definitely proving now he has it wrong. If players were not following a game plan, then why are they still playing each week? this is not week one of the season, as then your point would have some merit, we are a long way in.






And for the first part of this you have a point which is totally correct, with the last part you don't. Smith is far more proven in transition of players than McDermott and exactly why Warrington backed what he wanted. He knew last season what he was doing and that was before these new players. He introduced youngsters, had them ready, and they are playing a part in Wire right now. We have a coach who doesn't even have faith in seasoned internationals, nether mind youngsters, and can't decide what his best line up is.

My bad, forgot about JJB since he's only just got back, he has been excellent.

He's worked hard (as always) and put in 100% effort (as always), but excellent?

Not really.

Not unless racing out of the defensive line to leave a huge gap where the opposition may stroll through for a try without a hand being laid on them is regarded as excellent these days.

Perhaps it is? Sinfield mastered it too.