OK, here we go!... I'll be one of the very few that defends Mary right here. Not saying he should be our coach for the next 10 years but people need to get a grip.
Firstly, basing most of your opinions of him from what he did prior to 2017 is invalid IMO. After the post 2016 internal review the game structure changed to a 'power game/play what's infront of you' and no one can deny there was massive improvement. Understand that as there was less structure, a lot of crucial plays were spontanious/sideways movement because no one knew what they were doing next. We lost 6 games by 6 points or less, if we won most of those we would have been top 4. All we needed was a quality halfback to direct/game manage to close out games and take pressure off Widdop.
People think that the next season will be the same old or worse, without any improvement. At least he's addressed what went wrong last year, and it's hard to think we won't improve at all with who we've signed.
I will say, he needs to drop players not performing, show more faith in young guns, better bench rotation, and have them mentally prepared for 80 MINUTES. If there is not improvement in these then I don't blame you for throwing more tantrums in 2018.
Lastly, right now I would not take outdated Madge or hassler where attack is heavily structured, outdated, one-dimentional boring predictable sweep/block plays. I'd rather Have free-flowing entertaining attack like we have now, and wait and see if we improve again in 2018. He's not going anywhere for the next 2 years.
I thought I'd live'n up this forum from the 'rocking-chair critics' and show a different point of view. ("Bracing for impact")
I welcome a different point of view which is what these forums should be all about.
Having said that, you show a serious disconnect with reality.
One of the most pertinent things about McGregor is
how he was even appointed in the first place.
A couple of bush premierships and 2 unremarkable years coaching reserve grade are not adequate qualifications that would support his appointment as the St. George Illawarra first grade coach.
By any reasonable, logical and meritorious measure this was an inexplicable appointment which the club could not explain and the fans could never understand.
Basically, McGregor was totally unqualified and ill equipped to take on such a prestigious and important role.
Since his appointment, his short comings have slapped us in the face on a regular basis.
I want to take you to task on your assertion that "
We lost 6 games by 6 points or less...etc."
In 2017 we also won 4 games by 6 points or less.
"If only..." is not a way to analyze a season.
Taking your argument further - in 2016 we won 7 games by 6 points or less.
So if we had lost those 7 games we would have ended up with the wooden spoon?
And if we had got the wooden spoon in 2016, would the club sacked McGregor and would we have a different coach now?
That is just not reality.
It is also unrealistic to rationalize the "improvements" even though you yourself outlined a number of areas which continue to have big question marks over them.
"don't blame you for throwing more tantrums in 2018"
So you think that the reaction to McGregor's tenure is all about throwing tantrums?
I think it shows that you are searching for positives and clutching at straws.
People on here are upset and annoyed for very good reason.
The original appointment and especially the renewal of McGregor as FG coach is inexplicable.
With regards to 2018.
So we gained Hunt and Graham BUT we
lost Dugan, Packer and Thompson.
Widdop is still the captain.
Our draws for 2016 and 2017 were as soft as they come and we still couldn't make the finals.
Slightly different story in 2018 however.
Do you also think the other clubs have been standing around with their arms folded while we have improved our roster and our coaching structures?
You can expect a much harder path to the finals in 2018.
2017 shows a picture of better statistics provided largely by the forwards but with a terrible final outcome.
I think people are just sick of all the McGregor self promotion, excuses and deflections.
They are upset with the club who keeps treating it's fans like dodos.
So the coaching function is still our Achilles heel - no doubt about it.
It doesn't matter who plays half back and who provides game management,
By all means, let's all be optimistic - but not with a lot of confidence.
