Yorkshire Carnegie
From the highs to... James Lowes
By HopefulTyke
June 25 2013
So now we know, James Lowes is to be the new head coach of Leeds Carnegie. After much speculation the club have made an internal appointment, somebody whose background is steeped in rugby league.
Already the prejudice has begun, but taking everything into consideration, is this a bad decision by the club? Have they taken the cheap option by recruiting from within? Was there nobody else available? What does he know about rugby union? Let’s take a look. We were all surprised at the announcement that Diccon Edwards had resigned. What was the hidden agenda, was Sir Ian McGeechan to make a dramatic return to ‘hands on’ coaching?
My first thoughts, when Diccon left, were, is there a proven coach available to take us forward into the Premiership? I’m not too sure there is, so without making an approach to somebody already employed, and that would cost us money we don’t have, we had to look elsewhere. The club states there was a lot of interest, but were those enquiries genuine or merely coaches looking to make a few quid? We have employed high profile names before, and look how that ended!
Going back to last season, everybody commented on how tight-knit, the group were, and James Lowes was a very important part of that group. How much input he had, I don’t know, but every game he was sat alongside the coaching staff. His union experience is limited, nobody doubts that, but with Sir Ian at the helm, and that is where he will be, plus the support of Penders, Tommy and Dave Baldwin I don’t see why he won’t succeed. He brings familiarity and, more importantly, continuity, and that can only be good for the team. Let’s face it Jason Robinson, Owen Farrell, hadn’t played union but didn’t turn out bad, and Andy Farrell and Shaun Edwards had little union experience either, but they turned out to be inspirational as coaches,
Some of you may remember Leeds United appointing an outstanding manager back in the 1970’s, but he hated the club and the players, and the knock on effect of that lasted a long, long time.
So, the decision has been made, and everybody has their opinion, but as far as I am concerned, it is a good choice. I hope everybody can put their prejudices to one side and get behind James Lowes. He is our new coach, as fans let’s give him 100% support.
COME ONLEEDS.
We’ve been through it all together.
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25/06/2013 19:33
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:07:22:05:41:44 by Wildwillie .
I will give JL the benefit of the doubt - he comes into RU Head Coaching in a position with high expectations and no room for excuses. I do not know about him but hope he is an inspirational figure, perhaps that is the main thing lacking from the previous regime.
Good luck JL.
Quote:museTyke
I think people will be pleasantly surprised by this appointment.
I for one most definitely am not
Quote:Carnegiette1Quote:museTyke
I think people will be pleasantly surprised by this appointment.
I for one most definitely am not
...but you might be if we go up.
Quote:WildwillieQuote:Carnegiette1Quote:museTyke
I think people will be pleasantly surprised by this appointment.
I for one most definitely am not
...but you might be if we go up.
I don't think the rumours Geech was taking charge helped but I'm still surprised just how negatively Lowes has been received.
I have my season ticket and I will probably continue to go to as many away games as I can.I absolutely support this team, and the foundations are in place for an exciting season.
But I don't think a Rugby League coach is the right appointment for us in such a pivotal season, and the way it has all been managed is shabby.
Quote:Matt_OC
I don't think the rumours Geech was taking charge helped but I'm still surprised just how negatively Lowes has been received.[/quote
It's about 50/50 I think. I think a lot of people (myself included) are wary.
I honestly felt - up to a week ago - that finally we had done something right and got some continuity by keeping 90% of the squad (admittedly without solving the thorny problem of fly half). That is no longer the case
Lowes does not have the luxury of time. Hope he can do the job
[www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk]
Couple that to chronic shortages of cover in key positions in the backs IMHO things are not looking good... For instance is JL looking to bring in another 10? How will he evaluate candidates given his total lack of experience at union?
I just can't believe anyone apart from GH and CG think this is a smart move
"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)
Quote:Time Trial
Leeds are definitely taking a unique approach to Premiership ambitions. Whilst Bristol made 8 signings for the squad with Premiership experience and have brought in the very experienced Andy Robinson Leeds have decided that head coach does not need to have played Union at any more than a minor League level and indeed does not need any previous Head Coach experience.
Couple that to chronic shortages of cover in key positions in the backs IMHO things are not looking good... For instance is JL looking to bring in another 10? How will he evaluate candidates given his total lack of experience at union?
I just can't believe anyone apart from GH and CG think this is a smart move
he coached Warrington Wolves seems to me a whole lot of whining over nothing, as for judging player potential regardless of code he can see if a player is good enough, you appear to be stuck in the mantra because he played RL he will be out of his depth.
Quote:LooseheadQuote:Time Trial
Leeds are definitely taking a unique approach to Premiership ambitions. Whilst Bristol made 8 signings for the squad with Premiership experience and have brought in the very experienced Andy Robinson Leeds have decided that head coach does not need to have played Union at any more than a minor League level and indeed does not need any previous Head Coach experience.
Couple that to chronic shortages of cover in key positions in the backs IMHO things are not looking good... For instance is JL looking to bring in another 10? How will he evaluate candidates given his total lack of experience at union?
I just can't believe anyone apart from GH and CG think this is a smart move
he coached Warrington Wolves seems to me a whole lot of whining over nothing, as for judging player potential regardless of code he can see if a player is good enough, you appear to be stuck in the mantra because he played RL he will be out of his depth.
Not sure I should be accused of prejudice here. I just think the two codes are sufficiently different to warrant specialist head coaches. I think I am right in saying that the appointment of a League coach at one of the top 20 union clubs in England is unprecedented. Personally I think lack of union experience will hamper his ability to fine tune the team and will probably be the difference between gaining promotion and remaining in the championship. I genuinely hope I'm proved wrong.
Quote:WW
I would have thought that RU is easier to coach than RL
WHAT??
Miserati - and Proud to be!
