I don't think people appreciate the leap that RM took when joining us. He was very highly rated at Warrington and his job was secure. I doubt that hes on much more money (if any) now with us, and as the head coach his job security is out the window. Sports fans are fickle in general but reading this board sometimes I really despair.

Hes a young, inexperienced coach. He's not perfect, some of his signings have been very poor. But he's only going to improve as a coach, and he's already shown his value in his first season with us.

I agree with you.

Give him time. Still think he's a decent coach and comes across very well in interviews. He cant help if the board lack ambition. I stated last season a player like Sammut could of transformed us into a top four team. Unfortunately we are not in a position to sign players of his quality. Our decision makers are not quite smart or good enough. Cant knock the forwards or backs. We just lack that quality in those key positions to make us a top four team.

Spot on.

Sorry Mr Sleaze but this is totally untrue. Richard wanted Gaz and Ian Croad went out and got him, effectively doing his job to recruit who the coach wants. Where these stories come from is beyond me.

i heard the same....
At least he didn't suggest getting Liam walmsley and keegan hurst at the same time like Bastian did!!!

It was a 2 way thing, RM took a leap in coming to Fax and the BOD took one at least as big choosing him ahead of some of the more established coaches who applied for the job.
Apart from his background it was how he came across at the interview stage where he clinched it.
Since then the BOD have taken a second leap by awarding a contract extension to an admittedly inexperienced coach who's side had started to show signs of falling off the pace after year 1.
It's also worth noting that since the first season the club has changed at BOD level after all the above happened, losing the backing of Tony Abbott has had a significant impact on the clubs finances.
We are in a tough competition trying to compete with full time sides who have more money than we have and other teams that are DR up to the eyeballs and the rest who all want to win so it's no surprise we could and likely will lose a few games.
It's no one persons fault or even anybody's fault it's just how things are are the moment.

As an after thought having said the above mistakes have been made where RM must have been involved, the money from year 1 could have been used better, more than a few signings have proved not good enough and it's a results based sport not based on leaps off faith or sentiment and someone has to bear responsibility and ultimately accountability, it goes with the job.

Matt Calland could attract players. Marshall is clueless in what makes a good championship player. The sooner people stop hanging out is backside the better. He as no clue how to get the team attacking.

No doubt the MC era produced some of the best attacking rugby at this level.
Problem is that was years ago and the X factor players such as Penky, Shad and Ben Black have all retired and there's no chance of Matt Calland returning to the club so who's available now that could do it?

Matt Calland was that good a coach he is now ripping it up in Super League............. oh hang on!!!

In what sense? In that they wont spend money we do not have to try and protect the future of the club? Would you rather they went down the Bradford route? How is that working out for them playing in champ 2 next season?

That's harsh i think he knows what needed,just not the affordable quality out there.Could do with a couple of Cuthbertsons in our pack but that's not viable.By signing a super league hooker it gives our forwards more chance with fast distribution to retreating defences.

I think it was more that Martin Hall could attract players when Matt Calland was coach. It was exciting watching Fax under MC, but he was a bit too much "one of the lads" with the players.

Wasn't exciting watching the defence.74-46 scores don't cut it with me,leave that to basketball.

64-44 if you're thinking of that crazy game at Featherstone in 2008?

Gateshead home springs to mind but there were a few.

People forget that there were calls for Callands head after the NRC defeat against Hunslet. Didn't we go on to win the grand final that year........

Obviously Im not suggesting anything of the like will happen this year its just that fans have very selective memories when things are not going well.

Look at Featherstone last season. Overspending but it paid of. Sometimes you have to take a chance and it paid of for Fev. Rather be in their position now with Walton and Mariano to name a couple of their signings.
Its okay living within your means but we will just make up the numbers in the Championship. I for one wont be paying my hard earned money on "also runs".

Richard needs and deserves a bit more time for me, possibly even next season, he made a punt on an academy over full time, it was optimistic and unrealistic to hope it would come good straight away. But we've got a few good lads that are holding their own and showing promise, fingers crossed people like Charesworth, O'Brien and others don't slip through the net so easily in the future. For too many years we have seen Fax lads starring in SL and Amatuer Clubs doing the town proud, there's no excuse for the Semi/Professional RL club not to be tapping into this better.

We ain't got no brass, so its our only route im afraid. It might just work, Matt Calland was always a boom or bust coach, and lets face it having players like Berwick, Gleeson, Penky, Holroyd and Black (when he had confidence) all in the same team is not possible in most era's. Stick with Richard and be patient.

Ridiculous post.

A. Are Fev really in a much better position than us in the long term? Is SL any where near realistic for either of us?..

B. How much did they spend?? All their best players were on DR or loan.

C. Would you really want to take that gamble?.. Heads- we're in Fevs position- ever so slightly better than us
Tails- Bust, gone, done

If you want to settle for mediocrity that's up to you. Everyone has a right to a opinion. The point is we are getting left behind by our rivals.

left behind by DR only. WHEN not if DR is done away with, fax have young lads and a second team.

Let's not forget that the Championship is a really competitive league now. Apart from maybe Dewsbury and Hull KR (for different reasons!), there are no easy games now. And those two could improve/falter as well.

Fax are only firing on 2 cylinders at the moment. Do we have more in the tank? We've shown glimpses, and a "midfield general" would seem to be a priority if a) we can find one that's available, and b) have any cash to pay for them. Or maybe invest in one of our own (maybe via a full-time, or maybe "enhanced" contract?) - it would all be down to the individual's personal circumstances. We have a few young half backs/hookers and maybe a leap of faith with one of them might reap dividends?

Next Sunday will tell us a lot about our team. A game we should probably lose (on form and player credentials), but let's see how we go?

Some people make me sick! All they do is talk negatively and want the coach replacing. RM is a good coach but he is not perfect and has still a lot to learn in a number of areas. But I cant think of a coach who we can afford that is any better than RM. Maybe some of you forget that we nearly didnt have a club 10 years ago. We are lucky that the BoD with RM have made decisions which saved the club from being in a similar situation today. The game just like our club is in a bad situation. No club out there makes money- not even Leeds or Wigan. Every club is reliant on people who put money in. We dont have such a person and so we are struggling to survive just like most of the clubs outside SL. People say we are slipping behind our rivals. Realistically there are 2 teams that have the money and resources to even think about SL- Hull KR and Toronto. Featherstone are reliant on DR to win. But they have no chance of getting even close to SL without a money man. Batley are the same as is London etc. We are where we are- We are a PT team with little money. If we make the Top 4 we have over achieved. It makes no sense for us to risk everything to try and make the top 4. Even if we get in to the top 4 the chances of us getting in to SL are very slim.

A fan supports his team no matter what. Sadly some people will only follow Fax if we over achieve or play russian roulette in being a top 4 team. If you want us to do better than put more money behind the club. Some people who are now calling for RM to be sacked are the same that wanted Harrison, Calland and Farrell out. Its very rare at this level to find a Super Coach especially one that will come to a Club with little money. We have people moaning about the board. Well why dont you put the money and time in of Mr Mcnamara, Mr Steele, Mr Riley etc? I am sure they would welcome the extra money and help. Some people need to get behind the club and support it more instead of always bitching and moaning. We all wish things was better. But moaning and groaning is not going to help one bit. But supporting the players and helping the club with funds and volunterring to help the club will help the club. Of the moaners and groaners how many are part of the Supporters trust and how many have offered time and effort in volunteering to help the club?

Here Here.