If he manages to get the League form more consistent then I'll be happy.

re: replacing the Holy Trinity, we've got a fair bit sorted I reckon.

Sinfield : Ward. Straight swap.

Burrow: McShane/Hood/Lunt (re-signed).

It's McGuire at Scrum Half that's potentially tricky. Robbie looks fairly fit though, so I'd expect him to be here till he's 33, which isn't until the end of the 2015 season. So we could easily get another four years out of him.

The biggest chance is replacing Sir Kev at standoff, which Ward will need to do in the next season or two, I'd have thought.

Although clearly a big hit with both the club and its fans, Ward's progression shouldn't yet be regarded as a cert IMO.

Can I throw another off the Oldham production line into that mix in Ben White, Seth?

Maybe not the most spectacular or naturally gifted of players, but looks a good decision maker and game manager. Interesting to see what sort of partnership he and Liam Sutcliffe build up in the 19s this year.

Totally agree i really like Sutcliffe and look forward to seeing how he develops plus as AG says Ben White seems to be highly rated at the club aswell so thats another to watch out for.

We have many good young players at this club. The key is integrating them and getting them game time early enough to stop them going elsewhere.

That was the reasoning behind my original comment about McDermott. He can't move away from what we currently have. Or at least it appears that way.

Of course there is also a lot of pressure on him to win things, which limits is appetite for risk.

What's the rush? Some of them got lots of game time elsewhere last year (McShane, springs quickly to mind), Hardaker became a first team fixture under McDermott, Ward has been introduced to the first team and will probably be a regular this season, Keinhorst has tasted first team....

What is the difference between this contract any the contract virtually everyone else has?

I wonder if this McDermott contract if it is a permanent thing is a prelude to becoming director of rugby?and one of the senior player's taking over the coaching

I wasn't talking about McShane or Hardaker to be honest. I was talking about talent yonger.

We have a back three of youngsters in Baldwinson, Foster, and Tonks, who I said last year for me should be the future Back three of the pack. I see already they seem to be developing Baldwinson into a prop now instead which I dont understand why. Then we have Briscoe, that we actually nearly ended up paying a fee for to get, and the transfer caused such a uproar. These are very talented players, that could easy get a shot at other super league first teams.

So it depends what you mean by rush? Three Seasons? Two seasons? one Season? Personally I think the players I mentioned should be given at least a game this year.

Interesting thoughts regarding candidates for a new "Holy Trinity" (love that comparison!). Thanks!

I associate the recent glory years with the synergy between Sinfield/McGuire/Burrow: is it a mystical union, or can we replicate it with some other decent players from the ranks? Or will we just be ordinary again when they're gone?

We have, despite mutterings to the contrary, a fantastic track record for developing youth. Different players are deemed ready at different points, a lot go out to play senior, open-age RL for a bit, others might get a chance sooner than expected due to injuries.

If those players think they are better served by playing first team at a lower club, bully for them. If they want to follow the likes of McGuire, Sinfield, Burrow, Bailey, JJB, Ablett etc they'll be patient and stay where they are.

Also, no disrespect intended, but are you asking me to believe that you're better placed to decide whether a youngster is likely to develop as a back rower or prop than the coaches working with them avery day, and people like Barrie and Brian McDermott, who may, in fact, know a few things about what it takes to make a career as a forward in professional RL?

Briscoe was always a long term investment. He may well get a game here and there this year. If he doesn't, I don't think it's curtains for his career.

Spin.

That was my first thought actually - I have a perpetual contract with my employer too.

Most of the other contracts (if not all) are fixed term which means that when in the last year of a contract the period of notice will reduce as the months run down. Can be bad for a club as they could have to replace someone at short notice.

With a 12 month rolling contract the period of notice remains at 12 months for both sides I guess. So both sides have the security of 12 months notice.

It shows the confidence the board have in Brian Mac

And here lies the issue for me, and where a lot of people contradict themselves. To follow in those said players footsteps would require an equal development. That is the opportunities that need to be available.

You mentioned earlier not to rush players. Yet you quite rightly use as the argument these players as a model for what can be achieved. Why not follow that model then? Do you think we would have ever had Sinfield in our side had we waited until 20 to blood him? No chance too many clubs would have snapped him off us.

Those are the issues that also need considering in the succession planning. You can't just say bully for them.

Its tough. The holy trinity came into a club who had won very little and many of the Swiss were over the hill or here for the money. Todays youngsters have to try and get a place off multi time champions. How do you get them enough time to develop whilst leaving an international out of the team.

In sporting terms, everything. Hardly anyone in professional sports has an endless contract.

Good to see Brian McDermott given the reward he deserves. He has proven he can get the team motivated and prepared for the big events and has given regular places in the side to Hardaker, BJB, Watkins and Ward while blooding some of the youngsters.

In addition he has shown strength of character and dignity when under pressure from the constant stream of negative comments from the backseat driver coaching experts and it is to his great credit that he stuck to his guns to come out on top.

You are his star struck groupie and I claim the reward I deserve.



His introduction of Hardaker, Keinhorst and Ward over the claims of other more established senior players does make it all the more puzzling over the lack of opportunities given to McShane (last season), Hood, Singleton, Chisholm etc. Guess he must just have his favourites

If he wasn't so damn successful, criticism of McDermott's coaching methodology would be so much more meaningful.

He hasn't beaten the wembley hoodoo yet

I'm sure he will one day, hopefully on 26/08/2013.

This team deserves it.....I hope he does succeed.

I don't know if the players would feel the same, but I would gladly sacrifice yet another GF win for this feather in the cap.

Nah......let's have both

Just a thought, maybe each case/player is judged on it's merits, not one rule for all as some are deemed to be ready and others not due to their ability or position. See, not really that puzzling.