Seven years ago (June 20, 2017), the Catalans Dragons club formalized the signing of Steve McNamara for three and a half years. Since his debut in blood and gold, the English technician has always ensured that his players keep their heads above water. Before the Huddersfield reception (Saturday June 22 at 6:30 p.m.), the coach under contract for two more seasons, plays his favorite card, that of protectionism.
His trademark is engraved in his body which bears the marks of his fourteen seasons as a professional player (1989-2003). Steve McNamara is above all a hell of a manager. A man who knows how to surround himself with trusted people around him (Bosc, Last, Parr, Tomkins) and on the pitch. Since his parachute drop in France, after almost four seasons in the NRL (Sydney Roosters and NZ Warriors), McNamara has experienced a roller coaster game with the Dracs. From the Million Pound game won in Leigh to the 2024 season, the Mac has often placed its players on a bubble. The coach likes to take attacks, he must also feed off them and he is impervious to all criticism, as long as you do not point out excess complacency. I promise, he will remind you and express his deep disagreement with you. After this fifth defeat in six matches, including the second in Perpignan, Steve McNamara is experiencing his worst negative spiral. Tuesday, at a press conference, the father of Ben McNamara who plays in Leigh assured that everyone was measuring the situation. “The players are fully aware of the complicated situation we are currently in in terms of performances and results”. Nothing exceptional, especially after the collective rehearsal organized the same morning. “Once again we have been very productive in training and the players are frustrated and disappointed, but everyone is looking forward to the next games and we want the team to get back in shape and to be at their best. level. In any case, this is what we look for every weekend, before each meeting. »
“We will be back very soon”
Steve McNamara tried to bring positive things all week, to get his boys out of the gloom, but also to try to boost the morale of his attackers who no longer score (ninth attack in the championship). “We know that we are not far from finding good momentum again. There are very good players, a great staff and we will be back very quickly,” admits the coach who accepts the fact that “yes our game is not as smooth as it should be. But there is still little time, especially against Hull KR (victoire 36-6), we still had this fluidity in the game and we remember what it was like and what we need to do to find this form. Tuesday’s training session was very positive in that sense.”
A protective speech focused on optimism, its trademark, but which has its limits. Only a victory on Saturday will validate his words. A defeat will require a completely different message.
