I'm not sure I agree to be honest. It seems certain that Morrison, Cook, Solomona are all leaving. At the time of Hall signing, McNamara stated he would almost certainly play some prop for us.

If we signed Westwood that would leave Worrincey, Langley, Menzies, Whitehead, Donaldson and Westwood competing for the 3 spots. Allowing for injuries I would expect that both Whitehead and Donaldson will get plenty of gametime. I think Westwood would do well for us, we certainly need to tighten up our defence.

We also have Tom Olbison and Andy Tate who will expect some game time next year.

It would be entertaining watching Jimmy offer everyone outside who got on his back.

And when when injuries strike they'll get some experience I'm sure. But they won't be ready to play week in week out next season. Not forgetting that at least one and perhaps two of those players will be on the interchange bench as well.

i for one hope jimmey lowes does come back as may be put some fire in forwards bellys plus think ben westwood would be a good signing yep he does give penalties away but so do langley and newton but least he might fire pack up as no one fears our pack any more like the did when big joe was here

Westwood hasnt really been a penalty machine for years, his workrate is nothing short of phenominal for an 80 minute player and hes very very rarely injured.
As someone who's watched him develop week in week out over the last few years i'd be gutted to see him go and you'd be getting a fantastic signing.
Dont know why he still isnt really rated by fans of other clubs, easily in the top 5 SR's in this comp, different kettle of fish than what youve currently got though.

Edit: You can take lowes, no really, please, i'll drive him

I find it hard to conceive Jimmy playing second fiddle to Macca. And they and their wives were always good mates which would surely make it harder still?

Perhaps Macca and Jimmy could play good cop/bad cop?
[size=59
ALthough what we more likely need is realmeanbarsteward cop...[/size

Is there something hidden in that statement?

Jon Hamer?

Westwood would be a home grown player as he started in our academy, didn't know this until the other week when i read it in an old programme

Agreed it wont happen and together they wont sum to a seriously good coach.

Except that it would appear we know nowt, according to the T&A this morning (link posted on Coaches thread).

Maybe Good cop/bad cop it is, then?

If you want someone to drop in with their knees then good call.

Not at all - was just pointing out that IIRC both couples got on well (at least a few years ago when my missus knew Jimmy's) which made me wonder (from personal experience) if that would make it harder in a working relationship? And then, only cos both coaches will be ambitious. It could easily be the case that it would make for a very strong working relationship.

Dont they have to spend 3 years in your academy?

T&A says Lowes in, Basil and LSH out.

Yes so he wouldn't count. Not that we are worrying about home grown players since we're fairly well covered there.

Also says Basil and LSH still have a year left on their contracts and are being released early.

Clawson is out of contract and also will be released.

It's just left me wondering how much snake oil mcnamara has sold hood. is the sacking of the backroom staff tantamount to him saying "i'm sorry we've had a e season, but it was all their faults"?

Well the excuse that they can't afford to sack the Mac seems as redundant as the asistants.

Working on the assumption that McNamara was never in danger of not seeing out his contract next year. Then a complete clear out of the other first team coaches and conditioner seems a good move to me, we cant do worse next year can we?

And a new team around McNamara [imight [/imake a positive difference, worth a shot if we're not getting rid of McNamara himself in my view. The club had to do something, and if Hood will not replace McNamara this is the next best thing.

Leaving aside the fact that it can only ever have been supposition, you are missing (I hope not deliberately) the essential difference.

Sack Mac and you would invariably have to sack his coaching team too - could you see the new man sticking with these guys? That was the point I always made in support of the cost hypothesis, inconvenient truth though that may be to some.

The assistants - the two that are being paid off - will surely be on much less than Macca?

So maybe yes indeed, the club would struggle under the burden of paying off one expensive and two less expensive guys - and whatever Clawson would have cost mid-year - but can handle just the cost of the assistants?

I see no inconsistency here.

I am probably wrong but I don't remember this scenario being pedalled before (not that I disagree with the argument). I would have thought 2xassistants=1 head coach in salary terms. Perhaps if the directors have sounded out any quality coaches with a view to taking over from Mac that would have been condition no.2, after the salary.

Now I'm a big Lowes fan but is bringing him in really the answer? Sure he's got a better pedigree as a player than the current two assistants but his record as a coach at Salford and Warrington leaves a lot to be desired.

Remember too that there seems to be three people being shown the door and one recruited. Is this another money saving exercise dressed up as something else? If Clawson is going we're going to need another conditioner and one who is an improvement on the current bloke not just someone who can remember how we trained six years ago.

I wouldn't have Lowes as a head coach. I'm not even sure he should come as an assistant. He'd be more popular with the fans and when times got tough, there might be pressure to make the wrong decision and promote him to head coach.