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7:40am Saturday 13th March 2010 in
Bulls legend Jimmy Lowes has backed Steve McNamara to lead them back to the top.
Lowes, one of the most decorated players in the club’s history, won every honour in the game with Bradford and foresees similar success in the future.
Now assistant coach for this evening’s opponents Warrington, the former Great Britain hooker ranks ex-Odsal team-mate McNamara among the best young coaches in Super League.
He also sympathises with the Bulls chief’s recent struggles after his own spell in the Wolves hot-seat ended in disaster.
Lowes was demoted to make way for new boss Tony Smith almost a year ago, following a run of eight straight defeats, but is confident McNamara can overcome a difficult 2009 to win over the fans.
“I think Steve has built a team that he is happy and settled with and able to turn the club around with,” said Lowes.
“He is a fantastic coach. I’ve worked with him and long-term I think he’ll be the man there and put them back on form. But hopefully that will start a week on Friday and no sooner!
“It’s tough (when things don’t go well). To say that it doesn’t affect you is not true. It does get to you and I’m quite stony-faced about things usually.
“When I was playing I didn’t care what people said to me, I’d just get on and do it. But this is different because you cannot get out on the field and do it yourself.
“It did hurt a little and that’s what was happening with Macca. He’s an honest, genuine bloke and a very good coach and in the long-term he will rise to the top.
“It would have been hurting him and it will affect his moods at home. I went through that and he was there for me at that time and was a shoulder for me. I’ll do the same for him, as will Tony.”
For Lowes, this evening’s game will certainly not be about proving a point. The 40-year-old still holds the Bulls close to his heart and relishes any meeting with his former club.
He said: “It all depends on how you leave a club. You want to win, whoever you play, but it means more if you left somewhere with bitter feelings.
“I had a great eight years at Bradford and I have a good relationship with the people at the club and still go back there.
“I’m friends with Steve Mac so I have no problems with the club at all. I just want to win, whoever I play. But I also want to see Bradford do well and finish second only to ourselves in the league.
“If you leave a club with a bitter taste in your mouth, then that is when you want to get revenge and show them ‘this is what I’m all about’. But that is not how I feel about Bradford at all.”
Warrington host Bradford looking to claim their fifth win from six games this season, their only defeat coming against league leaders Wigan.
And having watched the Bulls defeat the Warriors in thrilling fashion last week, Lowes knows stopping scrum half Matt Orford will be key to his side’s chances of success.
He said: “You cannot lay-off great players like him. He obviously started badly and was not in the best of form so Wigan slipped off him a bit and gave him too much space. You cannot do that with players like him.
“Look at Wayne Rooney at Manchester United. He can be quiet all game but give him one minute and he can turn the game on its head.
“You cannot switch off good players and that is what we will have to do to handle him. We’ve got to be on him for 80 minutes and try and control him as best we can.”
Comments(18)
Charlatan
says...
9:48am Sat 13 Mar 10
Ashbourne Bulls Supporters Club
says...
10:02am Sat 13 Mar 10
bradbull wrote:What a load of Bulls**t you write. Who signed Menzies, who attracted Evans, Orford, Kearney and Heath & Hall, Rearden to the club. All this on a shoestring. I prefer to listen to the great Jimmy Lowe's opinion on Steve than an arm chair critic like you. Wise up and listen to those that know the game far better than you and support the club positively.
Orford's running the show not Macca. Evans appears to be doing a sterling job on the fitness front. We need someone like Millward or a top aussie coach next season as Macca hasnt got the aura of authority about him. So an aussie capt, coach and fitness guru and we'll go places
Prycey
says...
10:30am Sat 13 Mar 10
kitman
says...
10:37am Sat 13 Mar 10
Steampig
says...
11:46am Sat 13 Mar 10
franklyn
says...
1:25pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Steampig wrote:thought the team had started winning. if they can win tonight people will be singing the praises of macca. Dont you think macca should be given chance to prove himself, now he has at last got a decent squad of players to play with.
must be nice to have your mates singing your praises, But no matter how many people say nice things about him, the coaches job is to get his team winning games, if macca can start to do that regularly then he will be a good coach, but his track record thus far has been on the whole poor with the odd climpse from his teams that he and they have the ability, but consistancy is required and a good win ratio is the mark of a good coach. I feel he can improve on the last few seasons particularly with this years team, but time will tell and untill we show consistancy over the next month or 2 the jury is still out. i hope that we can build on the last couple of weeks tonight with a good win at Wire, who have been one of the form teams so far, a good solid performance will do wonders for the confidance of the team and fans alike. and hopefully help bring a few more back to odsal, COYB
haitch
says...
1:51pm Sat 13 Mar 10
therumbull
says...
2:45pm Sat 13 Mar 10
bradbull
says...
2:55pm Sat 13 Mar 10
Ashbourne Bulls Supporters Club wrote:Jimmy is a great assistant but not as good when in charge. Wire were in trouble when he ran the show until Smithy ( an aussie if you didnt know) took the reigns. Now look at them.
bradbull wrote: Orford's running the show not Macca. Evans appears to be doing a sterling job on the fitness front. We need someone like Millward or a top aussie coach next season as Macca hasnt got the aura of authority about him. So an aussie capt, coach and fitness guru and we'll go placesWhat a load of Bulls**t you write. Who signed Menzies, who attracted Evans, Orford, Kearney and Heath & Hall, Rearden to the club. All this on a shoestring. I prefer to listen to the great Jimmy Lowe's opinion on Steve than an arm chair critic like you. Wise up and listen to those that know the game far better than you and support the club positively. Come on you Bulls
Ashbourne Bulls Supporters Club
says...
5:17pm Sat 13 Mar 10
the anglian
says...
5:33pm Sat 13 Mar 10
bradbull wrote:And your experience as a player and coaching badge holder to know this is?
Orford's running the show not Macca. Evans appears to be doing a sterling job on the fitness front. We need someone like Millward or a top aussie coach next season as Macca hasnt got the aura of authority about him. So an aussie capt, coach and fitness guru and we'll go places
bradbull
says...
2:51pm Sun 14 Mar 10
the anglian wrote:No, never been a player or a coach anglian but i drink with quite a few of the team, so unless they are talking thru beer I have quite a knowledge of what goes on. They all look up to Ox and Beaver whereas they all seem to take the p-ss out of Macca and his accent.
bradbull wrote: Orford's running the show not Macca. Evans appears to be doing a sterling job on the fitness front. We need someone like Millward or a top aussie coach next season as Macca hasnt got the aura of authority about him. So an aussie capt, coach and fitness guru and we'll go placesAnd your experience as a player and coaching badge holder to know this is? If you have the relevent skills and knowledge then I bow to your opinion. If not, belt up! Meant in the nicest possible way of course.
the anglian
says...
4:01pm Sun 14 Mar 10
bradbull wrote:If that is true, it doesn't say a lot for the players as people and maybe they should move on to a club that accepts that kind of pathetic behaviour. Based on that, the Bulls don't stand a chance of winning anything if they can't play for the coach. Maybe we should all not bother supporting them either!
the anglian wrote:No, never been a player or a coach anglian but i drink with quite a few of the team, so unless they are talking thru beer I have quite a knowledge of what goes on. They all look up to Ox and Beaver whereas they all seem to take the p-ss out of Macca and his accent.bradbull wrote: Orford's running the show not Macca. Evans appears to be doing a sterling job on the fitness front. We need someone like Millward or a top aussie coach next season as Macca hasnt got the aura of authority about him. So an aussie capt, coach and fitness guru and we'll go placesAnd your experience as a player and coaching badge holder to know this is? If you have the relevent skills and knowledge then I bow to your opinion. If not, belt up! Meant in the nicest possible way of course.
bradbull
says...
5:00pm Sun 14 Mar 10
the anglian wrote:You could be right anglian and Im sure we both want the best for the club. But Macca is too nice to be a good coach and wants to be friends with the players. Cant mix business with pleasure and thats one reason he doesnt command respect.
bradbull wrote:If that is true, it doesn't say a lot for the players as people and maybe they should move on to a club that accepts that kind of pathetic behaviour. Based on that, the Bulls don't stand a chance of winning anything if they can't play for the coach. Maybe we should all not bother supporting them either! Or is it just beer talk and chinese whispers and you are gullible enough to accept it.the anglian wrote:No, never been a player or a coach anglian but i drink with quite a few of the team, so unless they are talking thru beer I have quite a knowledge of what goes on. They all look up to Ox and Beaver whereas they all seem to take the p-ss out of Macca and his accent.bradbull wrote: Orford's running the show not Macca. Evans appears to be doing a sterling job on the fitness front. We need someone like Millward or a top aussie coach next season as Macca hasnt got the aura of authority about him. So an aussie capt, coach and fitness guru and we'll go placesAnd your experience as a player and coaching badge holder to know this is? If you have the relevent skills and knowledge then I bow to your opinion. If not, belt up! Meant in the nicest possible way of course.
the anglian
says...
5:58pm Sun 14 Mar 10
propidol
says...
9:29pm Sun 14 Mar 10
bradbull wrote:Yeah I drink with Simon cowell
the anglian wrote:No, never been a player or a coach anglian but i drink with quite a few of the team, so unless they are talking thru beer I have quite a knowledge of what goes on. They all look up to Ox and Beaver whereas they all seem to take the p-ss out of Macca and his accent.bradbull wrote: Orford's running the show not Macca. Evans appears to be doing a sterling job on the fitness front. We need someone like Millward or a top aussie coach next season as Macca hasnt got the aura of authority about him. So an aussie capt, coach and fitness guru and we'll go placesAnd your experience as a player and coaching badge holder to know this is? If you have the relevent skills and knowledge then I bow to your opinion. If not, belt up! Meant in the nicest possible way of course.
bradbull
says...
9:35pm Sun 14 Mar 10
propidol wrote:Not on a Sunday you dont....as hes playing doms with us in the Bulls Head!!!
bradbull wrote:Yeah I drink with Simon cowellthe anglian wrote:No, never been a player or a coach anglian but i drink with quite a few of the team, so unless they are talking thru beer I have quite a knowledge of what goes on. They all look up to Ox and Beaver whereas they all seem to take the p-ss out of Macca and his accent.bradbull wrote: Orford's running the show not Macca. Evans appears to be doing a sterling job on the fitness front. We need someone like Millward or a top aussie coach next season as Macca hasnt got the aura of authority about him. So an aussie capt, coach and fitness guru and we'll go placesAnd your experience as a player and coaching badge holder to know this is? If you have the relevent skills and knowledge then I bow to your opinion. If not, belt up! Meant in the nicest possible way of course.
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bradbull says...
9:02am Sat 13 Mar 10
Evans appears to be doing a sterling job on the fitness front.
We need someone like Millward or a top aussie coach next season as Macca hasnt got the aura of authority about him.
So an aussie capt, coach and fitness guru and we'll go places