Do we need a new one.Or is Watson the man for the job.

I don't know what goes on at the club (disclaimer).... but from reading between the lines of Ian Watson's (does he still have that annoying habit of dragging is toes when he jogs) post-match interview on BBC Manchester, it appears that Tim Sheens has some kind of lead coaching role or is at least a mentor for Watson. My first thoughts on reading the OP was 'is Watson THE coach'?

Good question but quite difficult to answer! Clearly Watson has been guided by Sheen, you only need to listen to a number of interviews he as carried out.
His record is fairly good with important wins in the middle 8s against Wakefield, Leigh & Widnes! Is he what we need going forward even with Sheen steering the ship I am not too sure.
I personally would like to see a more experienced coach in the role going forward, however if anyone gave me a counter argument as to why we should keep Watson I could be persuaded as he has been through a very difficult period in the history of Salford red devils.

I'd prefer a much more experienced coach than Watson as extra security should Sheens decide in the future to return to Australia at short notice. It's nothing against Watson because I'm sure he's a good asset to have around the club but he's get very limited experience behind him. I just think the club need to be forward thinking and cover the 'what if' scenario if Sheens isn't taking the head coaching role.

I just feel we need much more coaching experience within the club rather than Tim Sheens and several recently retired players helping out because Marwan likes them. The club has spent a small fortune on players these past three years but for some stange reason we have always penny pinched on the coaching staff.

I think people put far too much emphasis on needing an experienced coach. Kieran Cunningham is in his rookie season as head coach, but he has steered Saints to the semi-finals of the play-offs. Shaun Wane and Paul Anderson have done similar jobs at Wigan and Huddersfield.

The common dominator in each of those teams, they're full of good players who all play their part in the success of the team. An adequate mixture of youth, overseas players and experience.

Wakefield sacked James Webster, a relatively inexperienced coach and replaced him with Brian Smith, a very experienced coach. Look at Wakefield's results since, there has been no improvement whatsoever.

If Ian Watson is given the position under Sheens guidance I would have no complaints at all. Infact, I would be thrilled that one of our own ie Salford lad would be our head coach.

The difference is these clubs have years of solid foundations, a winning mentality and these coaches command a lot of respect for distinguished playing careers. Had Cunningham been coaching Salford this year it's highly probable he'd have done any better under the circumstances. Personally I feel the task of turning this club into a regular top 6 side is monumental and with the money invested I wouldn't be taking the risk on an unproven coach. It's OK whilst Sheens is around but where does it leave us when he decides to up sticks? I just feel this club needs a lot more successful coaching experience in the ranks full stop.

If I was having my house decorated I'd prefer to pay the extra and have it done by a painter & decorator with many years experience and a very good reputation rather than giving the work to a school leaver with a few weeks practice. Salford lad or not you have to take the emotion out of it and do what's right for the club's future.

I agree in part with what your saying like for instance mcdermott moving from wooden spoon to pots and pots of silver at Leeds, in reference to baloo and cunningham. I'm sure watson would do ok there, the common denomonater is they all have the most money or best players, on the other hand Cullen could do nothing right at Warrington and Smith turned them overnight into a success.

We need a name and Watson is not the answer.

Would love too see a bigger named Aussie coach in charge, no ties to any English players or any of the cliques that seem to surface with alarming regularity at Salford.

One who takes no prisoners and commands respect, if Sheens wasn't perfect for his current role I'd say him, can he do both? Don't know but I'd rather him do a great job on one side rather than juggle two.

I've read numerous reports saying Craig Bellamy from Melbourne is inked with Warrington, if there is even the remotest chance we could get him then heaven and earth must be moved by the club to facilitate it.

Bellamy and Sheens is the absolute dream team, could you think of a better set up for Watson and Gleeson to learn from?

Anyone know how the youngster played on Sunday Bibby and Lannon were of particular interest?

Salford had an experienced coach in Noble look what he signed.At Fax we went for Harrison experienced coach rubbish.Now with Marshall a coach new and untried i am delighted how we have gone this season.Stick with the set up you have with Sheens and Watson you have won against some quality teams.

I think it shows how difficult to get the balance right in any Club actually is. It's about getting all the cogs working together in the right way or it all goes out of the window. You can have twenty years in the game but it doesn't guarantee you are any good, and equally, fresh faces and ideas can work better, and everything in between.

I think Sheens brings the obvious amount of experience at the top level, and he seems to be a good man-manager. Or at least, knows what he needs instead of what he wants. He also brings a great deal of respect which is something our Club hasn't had in many many years. Watson and the ex-players cutting their teeth in coaching roles are probably a good addition to fill in the blanks that Sheens will have regarding players and the British game. Plus their hunger to get on and succeed make a decent mix. Both experience and fresh ideas can only be a positive thing for us going forward.

With the right players on board, bringing the right young lads through, and a Sheens pre-season should hopefully see a mini-transformation in and around the Club for what will be a difficult season next year for every Club.

Lannon did well in his spells and scored a good try ,
Jake Bibby i thought looked solid during the 1st half , but struggled a bit in the second when they got ontop of us.

give them a good pre-season no reason why they can't get more game time . but we need to look at how wigan and leeds introduce new academy players , gradually .

The biggest single issue over the past two years has been, IMHO, the influence of the owner.

With his reported antics the head of the United Nations Peacekeeping forces would have had difficulty building a settled, motivated and committed team.

Let's hope that as part of Tim Sheen's commitment to Salford that he really has laid down the parameters of what is and is not expected of the chairman/owner and that said owner can respect that. If that doesn't happen the we are doomed to fail again.

I agree, but surely Noble should have had the knowledge, backbone and standing in the game to tell the Doc the same as Sheens obviously has.

Cunningham has had a tough year for us though; the quality of our rugby has been pretty diabolical at times and some of his team selections and substitutes are utterly baffling coupled with a very poor recruitment policy (on the whole), and I do feel we have made the top 4 on the back of some of the other teams underperforming, so I agree. I think if he was at any other SL club other than Saints he may not have lasted the season. The fact he has a bronze statue up has given him some extra time if you ask me.

As an outsider, has Sheens been offered the coaching role full time? Or is it something he is basically doing whilst keeping the title of Director of Rugby?

Left field idea if Watson isn't going to get the job.

Watched the coverage of the Australian State championship yesterday won by the Ipswich Jets and one thing shone through was all the praise for the style of play and coaching set up.

It's slightly odd in that it's dual head coaches in Ben and Shane Walker, they have reverted to a more old style of play where the emphasis is on a solid one on one tackle with no wrestling and very free flowing attacking play. It was a brilliant game to watch and makes you fully aware of the huge gulf in class between England & Australia, I'd guess a good 50% of the players on show yesterday would walk into most SL teams and this is the equivalent of the Championship.

Just like we played in the seventies.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au/news/ ... ement.html Yes please, would be a massive appointment if the Doc could manage it, pretty sure that Sheens would give him a ringing endorsement also.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au/news/ ... ement.html Yes please, would be a massive appointment if the Doc could manage it, pretty sure that Sheens would give him a ringing endorsement also.

Yes.



No.

FFS Give Ian Watson a chance.
It's his first pre season and 1st full season in charge, lets see how he does