Should McNamara carry on? The England fans have their say

England enjoyed their first international success for what felt like many years at the weekend, when a fine win over New Zealand sealed a 2-1 series win and meant the team claimed the Baskerville Shield.

That was coach Steve McNamara’s first success as England coach, and coincided with his contract coming to an end.

While some players, such as Ryan Hall, have called for McNamara to stay in place, many fans have voiced a contrary opinion.

So Love Rugby League put the question to Twitter:

Question: Steve McNamara’s contract with @England_RL is up. Should he be reappointed for the Four Nations and the 2017 World Cup?

— Love Rugby League (@loverugbyleague) November 17, 2015

Very much in the same camp as Ryan Hall, is Karl Stephenson (@karlstivi5), who thinks that McNamara should be left in place to continue making progress with the team.

@loverugbyleague @England_RL 100% yes! There’s world class preparation, competition for places and he’s becoming tactically sound too.

— Karl Stephenson (@karlstivi5) November 17, 2015

Allan Roberts (@allanroberts10) showed that he concurs, in a series of articulate tweets, with this one succinctly summing up his views.

@JohnnyGordon6 @loverugbyleague We have an England coach who is actually winning and people are still calling for change.Just amazes me.

— allan roberts (@allanroberts10) November 17, 2015

But others, such as Mark Bedford (@MarkyB72), would be pleased to see the back of McNamara, not least due to a percieved bias towards players from certain clubs.

@loverugbyleague @England_RL And be subjected to his obvious bias for Wigan players. No thanks, can go back to being the Roosters waterboy.

— Mark Bedford (@MarkyB72) November 17, 2015

Sean (@seanwin2509) also wanted to see change, though in favour of Wigan coach Shaun Wane.

@loverugbyleague @England_RL for me it should be Shaun wane or an Aussie

— Sean (@seanwin2509) November 17, 2015

Smudge (@stesmudge) was another who wanted to see change, for a coach who would play an expansive style and who was not based in Sydney.

@loverugbyleague @England_RL No, let’s have a coach that will instil an expansive game plan who isn’t on the opposite side of the planet.

— Smudge (@stesmudge) November 17, 2015

Lee Harwood (@lharwood) also wanted to see someone else with a proven track record in charge of the national side.

@loverugbyleague @England_RL no! i think now with these players is a great time to go and get a proven winner

— lee harwood (@lharwood) November 17, 2015

Neil Harvey (@Nooli68) perhaps best summed up the mood of fans, with a tweet about uncertainty. While McNamara has now won something with England, there is still some concern about the way he makes decisions about selection, particularly in key positions.

@loverugbyleague @England_RL Not sure, his persistence with George Williams over Matty Smith in the first two games was frustrating

— Neil Harvey (@Nooli68) November 17, 2015

So the opinion seems split between a defintite desire for change, and a more cautious optimism about McNamara. What is clear, though, is that there remains a persistent doubt about the qualities of the England coach.

Winning more trophies would go a long way to dispelling those doubts, but will McNamara get another chance? Time will tell.