The subject of much vitriol over the last couple of seasons.

I think most would concede that he's improved the quality of the squad, our attacking play looks to be in a better place, and team spirit is better. In the context of the negativity he's attracted thus far, maybe he deserves a little credit?

He does. He's strengthened the squad and engendered a strong team spirit and bond that wasn't there under Peter Gentle.

Interchange decisions look good so far and he has made some astute selections such as moving Tuimavave to the centre.

Geezzz lets not get carried away!!!

Sack him .let's get a petition up

I remember what we said about Richard Agar back in 2010. It wasn't his team in 2008 or 2009, so we'll judge him on this season. Great signings in Long, Fitz, O'Meley and Turner. A great first couple of wins against big teams. We were on the way to the final! Then we lost to Crusaders away and Salford away a few games later. Back to bland rugby and the same old same old. But not before we have Agar another 2 year contract extension!

Let's just see if it lasts longer than two games before going over the top. I've read fans of other clubs calling us GF contenders already. Let's just keep our feet on the ground before we (as usual) become disappointed with the high expectations not being met!

Who's gone over the top?

Just praise where it's due.

I thought Radford's appointment was a mistake. I thought the way it happened with the apparent undermining of Gentle and the gleeful hopping aboard the Blackpool Pleasure Bus as we were still dismounting from our coaches after the Huddersfied coup was cheap and an unwelcome illustration of the state of affairs.

As a coach my reservations were not concerning his knowledge or technical skill but I had severe doubts about his man management skills, particularly with regard to that particular set of men and his closeness to them. If there was a Gentle coup then the foundations of trust could not have existed - a poor way to establish respect and honour in the squad. But even if that didn't happen Radford had been a friend and teammate of too many of them, inequalities and the spectre of nepotism was always going to hover.

So for me the question was always going to be around attitude and Radford's willingness and ability to cope with it. And I still think that this has been the stumbling block of the last 2 years - there were still too many old mates and deadwood muddying the waters and undermining team cohesion, imo. But not now.

This year is the first year the team are all 'new school'. No cancer left. I believe this is the difference and Radford has no lingering 'obligations' and can manage them mentally as he needs to. I once said he could do with 2 years away from the club as a new manager to establish himself in that role, then return with no one at the club having 'expectations'. As it happened the 2 years were spent here and we have all seen the sometimes painful consequences of that as Radford grew into the role and had to expunge the inevitable constraints of being a 'home grown' newby manager.

I think he's through it. The team spirit and attitude are currently superb. Coupled with a ridiculous pack and the right people in the backs we are seeing glorious results. If Radford can nurture and retain that attitude in his men we could be in for a good time this season. Now is Radford's time. He's taken intense stick and come through it. From what I've seen this season he deseves our support, now. He's got mine at last.

Exactly.

Radford had copped some flack (as has Pearson) on here. Credit where it's due.

I view hasn't changed. I said before a ball was kicked, we needed to win at least 5 of our opening 8 games for it to be considered a reasonable start. Anything after that was a bonus. I thought the games against Cats, Wigan ans Wire would be the biggest tests in these first 8 games. We dismantled Cats, so in my mind that's 2 bonus points from a place wee rarely get anything from.

Early days, but positive stuff so far.

Its the support he had when the going was tough that really counts though, innit?
Who knows, it still might be.
The fickle will be able to jump back behind their sofas and start lobbing the grenades once again.

Every set of fans are fickle and the coaches will realise this so when you get beat which will happen you can expect certain fans to dissect Radfords tactics and rubbish his credentials were all doing the same with Chester at the moment it's just part of been a fan we've got to blame somebody and it's usually the coach or this years nominated scapegoat player

here,here.

Give him a ten year deal. I believe you will win the lot this year, I've got a tenner on you to win the Grand National with big Frank riding Red Rum

You have to give credit to radford and all concerned for the way they've prepared the team pre season and for the first 2 matches. I personally believe getting rid of westerman was the masterstroke, just wished they'd it done 2 seasons ago. The recruitment looks outstanding, leaders all over the field, and a lot of very proffessional rugby league players, plus strength in depth. Hopefully radford as finished is apprenticeship, which shoudnt of been done whilst head coach of a super league team, it was at times unbearable. But signs are good, hes got his squad, full of true pro's, which i think has been his aim. Lets hope things continue in this manner win or lose, because I think Radford and this team could do something special this next few seasons, carry on with the style of rugby and the passion for the shirt, and the fans will come back. Its so so good been excited about watching the black and whites again

Pretty much the way I see it.

Definitely impressed with how he's got the lads playing this year. I know is early days but the signings he's made are all showing their value, including Washy who's signing drew mixed opinions. I give massive credit to Lee, Motu and Adam Pearson for getting these deals done.
Obviously we still need to see how the season pans out and where we finish in the league, but for the start, and the style of rugby we are playing then he sure deserves some credit.

How's that lemon tasting 105 ?

Let it go!






You say Radford shouldn't have done his apprenticeship at the club, I disagree. I, and others argued that we needed somebody like Radford to sort the mess PG & SMc had left behind.
I agree about the increased professionalism, but I think you're letting Lineham off the hook by only naming Westerman.

Hahaha I cant, ive been saying it for at least 2 seasons and no one would listen ha. And im not just on about his proffesionalism , he was poor for us season after season, and we made excuses for him, tried building a team around him, because of his so called potential!!! And its just never worked, its held us back for seasons. No radford shouldnt of been thrown in the deep end as head coach, season ticket sales and the past 2 seasons of awful rugby proof that. 2 games in and you cant but give radford credit for the performances, and long may that continue. You need to let the gentle thing go, he didnt do bad, and the way the team got rid of him was a disgrace

Sometimes jam tomorrow tastes just as sweet !!!! Where's Martin gone ??

Well done Lee keep up the good work , some of us kept the faith but no doubt the fickle ones will be on the Radford band wagon now

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz how boring and predicatable , nobody as ever wanted radford to fail, and lets hope the band waggoners do get back on board, we all want a full kc and those big days outs

Radford had to be in the job to be where we are now. Signs where already there last year. We've just added more quality to take us too the next level.
Gentle assembled a pack of o Carroll pitts Johnston aspinwal(although latter did us well tbf) let lynch go(thought he was finished - since had two great cas years and signed till 201icon_cool.gif. Signed macdonnall and Miller and arundel on silly monies. Was ready to sell Shaul. Wanted to bring in an ozzie winger instead of using lineham. He was terrible for us. I knew he was leaving whilst on the way TO the cup semi. That's how much of a mess we was

Bang on Tinkler.

Getting rid of our most unprofessional player in Westy whilst getting some £ in return was some decent business. Our attack looks so much better without him having his hands on the ball each tackle slowing things down.

I could name one certain poster with a personal vendetta who definitely wants to see radford fail

To be honest, really cant be bothered to go over the same old, same old, people see it in differant ways. The only thing I will say, is that I muched prefered watching and paying out my money to watch gentles team , then I have the last 2 seasons. But thats all done now, and im jumping on the radford band waggon ha, at least to the cas game anyway