So we’re 0-4, decimated by injuries and now, according to some for the first time, Neale’s time is up (actually the first time thing is more a Demonology thing).

My position has always been that the coach should be retained whilst he is contracted; if for no other reason than the Club doesn’t have the funds to pay him out. However, I won’t cop out that easily.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

When Neale was reappointed for three years there weren’t too many voices of dissent if I recall correctly (always a dangerous assumption to make!). We had had a reasonable year. Post his reappointment the main gripe seemed to be that he should have been appointed for two years and not three. If that ‘gripe’ had of eventuated his contract would have been up for renewal at the end of last year. What do you all reckon would have happened? Perhaps the planets have finally aligned for the anti-Neale faction.

INJURIES AND SACKING NEALE NOW

As I said, my position has been that Neale should be retained whilst contracted.

Prior to the start of the season I said (on Demonology) that we probably had to finish, at least, inside the top eight for the Club to consider offering Neale a new contract. The only exception that I could envisage, at that stage, was a long injury list. I’m not sure even the most pessimistic or vocal of the anti-Neale squadron could have portended the extent of the injuries we have suffered in the first four rounds.

So my position hasn’t changed. Calls to sack Neale now are pointless. What would it achieve? Would a ‘caretaker’ improve anything? I think Neale will, and should, coach out the remainder of the year.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

I’m not conceding, yet, that Neale’s MFC epitaph has been cast. We’ve played four matches.

Are we in worse position than the start of last year? Yes.

Is there less hope we will recover this year like last year? Yes.

Neale has 18 matches to, in effect (and in reality), save his job. If, over the next few matches we are competitive (which doesn’t mean win) and, once some injured players come back, we start to win a few games then things, vis-à-vis, Neale’s future may be interesting.

Could we make the finals? Unlikely. If we did though, not only would it defy recent history, it would also be one of our finer recent efforts given it would take in our usual interstate road trip.

SO WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING KNACKERS?

The door is closing on Neale’s tenure as MFC coach but it’s not closed; yet.

When Neale was reappointed for three years there weren’t too many voices of dissent if I recall correctly (always a dangerous assumption to make!). We had had a reasonable year. Post his reappointment the main gripe seemed to be that he should have been appointed for two years and not three. If that ‘gripe’ had of eventuated his contract would have been up for renewal at the end of last year. What do you all reckon would have happened? Perhaps the planets have finally aligned for the anti-Neale faction.

Interesting - I can remember back to 2000 and before and my opinion that ND was not a great coach...

What I'm surprised about is that people would change their minds on ND based on the first four weeks of this season, considering most games we've had limited bench strength (with injuries mid-game) as well as a limited squad from which to choose from.

I understand some supporters get really emotional, but a question to those who have changed their mind recently - what has changed so much in the past month re: ND that you haven't already seen in the past decade?

Honestly fellas nothing has drastically altered for me in the last month......

It has been more like slow realisation over the past year or two that maybe we are going to need a change and this year seems to be the one.

I guess the first month of 2007 has just accecentuated some of the holes that we do have and others here have been talking about for a while.

And that is not to say that those issues would not have still been present if we were winning, but that they would be well covered up, and we would not be yelling at Daniher or our depth or the game plan etc with quite this level of verocity. Instead our coaching shortcomings are being dragged into the cold hard light of day.

I hope that made some sense, as it is 5am right now, and I need to go and get some sleep !!!