For sure, I certainly don't want to give the impression he was a bad Coach, far from it.
Simply that the 'good ol days' are always seen through rose tints, easy to remember the good times, the bad ones-unless really bad-fade away.
The good things I remember are one game away from GF (only to be blown off the park by a Manly side who were something extraordinary), a GF appearance, the youth squad and young talents coming through the ranks-and as you say, the phoenix of a new club rising out of the mess left.
The bad things are the famous yearly slumps, the very boring attack at times and one dimensional offence, the certain players stuck with when should have gone (Rovelli, Jones are the first that come to mind), issues with others that deserved a chance (Inu-again, and basically anyone instead of Jones! He only very begrudgingly put Fein in, and dropped him ASAP as well. I also felt Witt was treated appallingly- like or hate him, to be told he's not required, then change of mind and told he wouldn't be released, only to have the mind changed again after a new deal he'd sorted collapsed, was pretty shoddy stuff).
Ives certainly deserves a pass mark, no two ways about it. Just as long as we remember it wasn't all perfect either, and to compare Cleary with McClennon atm is unfair and premature. Time might tell that McClennon isn't up to it, and the Warriors were idiots for letting Cleary go. It might also find McClennon hitting his straps and all will be forgiven. Too early, could go either way.
