Hi all, its my first post on here so forgive me if I have missed something that has already been discussed. I just read a comment on the final from a reporter saying how shocked they were that a Leeds fan had said "get Noble in"! Okay here is where I'm a little lost, the majority of Leeds fans I speak to would be more than happy for Brian Noble to take over the rains at Headingley, I'm not totally condemning McDermot but he was supposed to have a year under the wing of Brian McClennan in order to find his feet, so why is this such a shock for the press to here, and does anyone know if any changes are coming?

I've heard he's going to be our 'Director of Rugby'.

You heard it here first

How does the post of 'Director of Rugby' differ or relate to that of the head coach?

Don't know. Ask Matt Calland.

So we have Gh who has does the recruiting with an input from the head coach,and now it is being mooted we are going to have a director of rugby..so do we have 3 people having a say on recruitment?or will the new director have sole responsibilty?

Is this English or just letters on the screen?

I heard it was wakefield

You heard it here first

Hope not dnt think Nobby could direct traffic without a dozen antipodean immigrants on double the pay of a local youngster with just as much talent. So please god dnt do this what have we done to deserve this

Surely if we sacrifice a Bull twice a yr this will appease the fickle gods of rugby league and save the innocence of are academy from this fate

it would be like clough going to leeds united, the man hates leeds always has, you only have to read peacock's book to find out how much. when JP told him he was signing for leeds he turns round and says "you're not signing for those ba***ds are you?" ok i know he's been a top quality coach but i wouldn't like anyone like that pulling the strings at leeds.

he took over a team in its prime and ran them into the ground leaving the bulls in the state they are today.
i don't want noble anywhere near leeds

Deja Vu - Doug Lawton (Director of Rugby)

Brian Noble =

I diverse set of opinions surrounding Noble but I don't think McDernmot can motive our lads, this is an ageing team but there not over the hill, what some lack in pace they more than make up for with how they read and play the game.
Something has got to change.

Nonsense, he was their most successful coach in the SL era. McNamara still managed to take the side he inherited from Noble to finish 3rd in the league... Only after that did the dodgy signings really start to kick in, not helped by various money problems relating to the Harris case and Odsal. The problems with Bradford are purely financial - if the Bulls management were stupid enough to give Noble money to spend that they didn't have then he can't be blamed for spending it.

That said I'd prefer if Leeds didn't appoint him.

I find it incredible people can feel that in five full season winning:
Two league leaders titles
Three Grand Finals
A Challenge Cup
Three WCCs

Wasn't good coaching.

Can’t quite see this working.

A Director of Rugby is usually the board member responsible for all rugby matters at a club which includes; recruitment, contracts, budgets and appointment of coaches. Normally the DOR leaves the coaching to the coach but could set out the ethos and general style of play that he wants to see at the club. At Leeds GH has filled this role to date as well as CEO.

A Coach usually is in charge of the players including training, game plans, motivation, player development and is responsible to the DOR if there is one. He can try to influence the DOR on recruitment but does not have this responsibility. A Head coach would not welcome a DOR telling him how to coach

Noble has so far been a dressing room coach who is known as a motivator. His main strategy has been to get a set of the biggest players around and play a power game to blast ‘em out of the way. He was fortunate to inherit a winning team and formula at Bradford. I think his strength is more in the dressing room than in the board room and his best days are behind him in this respect. But who knows he may be able to surprise us.

Therefore we only would need a DOR if GH is to relinquish this role. If the proposal is for a DOR to get involved in the dressing room and influence coaching matters then this role is not a DOR but in fact a new head coach.

I don't think he will take a DOR role just yet. Surely he has plenty to offer in a coaching capacity. His record is quality, no little the achievement of a play off place and win with Crusaders!! I would have him at Leeds next season

no thanks

I wouldn't want Noble at Headingley in any capacity other than cleaning the gents toilets or sweeping the terraces

If he does get set on then he can expect plenty of mess to clean up and in both these areas

When a professional coach describes another club as "them s"it tells me he has the attitude of a fan of Bradford Bulls and not of a professional coach

On several occasions I've read allegations that he said this. What is the origin of this quote?

I usually refrain from commenting on anything to do with Noble - but for some reason I feel the need to today.

Before I make my points, I want to state that in no way am I advocating Noble to Leeds (although I wouldnt be horrified if he did join).

First of all, the comment about Noble's only tactic being simply finding the biggest blokes possible and steam rolling teams is just nonsense. Yes the Bradford team had some monsters, but this was what worked at the time, and the big blokes were more than adequately worked around the park by one of, if not the best hooker that Super League has seen and a number of other more than adequate halfs/ball players (Paul brothers/Deacon etc).

When Noble is coaching a team, he focusses on each individual and giving them a specific job to do. This includes everything from where they defend in the line, the line speed they will use, what channel of the pitch they will attack in, what lines they will run on each tackle, where abouts on the pitch they are allowed to offload etc etc. What Noble tends not to like in his teams are mavericks, or people who will throw dangerous offloads, or take a risk in their own 20. Noble prefers a complete structure - and he doesnt like people straying away from this.

What people forget dont seem to get their head around is that, although his Bradford teams were massive, and did look at little 1 dimensional - that style of play, and that group of players were exactly what was needed to be succesful at that moment in time - hence such a great trophy return in those few years.

And, as for the comments he made about Leeds in changing rooms, or pre-match build up - if you think that these sort of comments dont come out before every match, regardless of the opposition, you are very naive. Go in any changing room before a match, whether that be proffesional or amatuer, and you will hear a number of expletives and derogatory comments about the opposition - It's just what happens. Look at Andrew Johns and his 'black c*nt' comment about Inglis - yes it is completely wrong what he said, but it's just blokes trying to rile up their team mates to go out and give their all against the oppostion, who are for 80 minutes your worst enemy.

People really do give Noble far too little respect. I will be the first to admit, he may not be the most likeable bloke in the world, but if you speak to players who have played under him, many have him up there as the best coach they have ever worked under.

I think all this is a little strange. Everybody who plays the game has started as a fan and those allegiances will undoubtedly follow them through life due to the tribalism inate in sports. If you take a job and are paid to do a job then that is all put to one side. No one would ruin their reputation in pursuit of seeing another club fail. Noble may be a good addition to our current set up, to support and guide the muppets currently in charge

BUT

I would prefer a completely fresh start and a coach able to do the job without leaving people scratching their heads.

Noble has an open dislike of the Leeds club.

Peacock talked a lot about it in his book.

I wouldn't want him anywhere near our set up.

Although I'm sure he'd probably give a more politically correct point of view nowadays, Jimmy Lowes has also often shown an open dislike for Leeds, particularly towards the back end of his Bradford days.

When Butch Thackerey first started playing for Hunslet and a few Super League clubs were looking at him, he said he would never sign for Leeds - he's Huns through and though and was brought up with the typical 'Hate the jewboys from North of the River' Hunslet mentality.

The truth of the matter is, professionals will put aside their club loyalty when it comes to their career, otherwise, it'd be very rare for players to play for any other club than their hometown.

Obviously in an ideal world you'd want all 1-17 players, all coaching staff and everybody involved with the club to be true Loiners, but in proffesional sport, its never gonna happen.

Are you suggesting that if Noble were to come to Leeds, he would be less committed to the job at hand than he was at Bradford??

No, just that I wouldn't like it/him!

I'm not a massive fan of Lowes being here to be honest either, or McDermott while we're at it.

In fact, lets not employ any more ex Bradford employees!