Is Bluey's reign over?

We've said it before. There are only two types of football coaches; those who have been sacked, and those who are waiting to be sacked. And it would seem that Brian "Bluey" McClennan is about to transition from the latter to the former category; the Herald reports:

Warriors coach Brian McClennan could be sacked as early as Sunday if the club suffers another embarrassing defeat at home to the last-placed Penrith Panthers.

The Herald understands McClennan is on the shortest of leashes, with club owners Owen Glenn and Eric Watson likely to take decisive action if there is any repeat of the horrific 45-4 defeat inflicted by the Sharks at Mt Smart a fortnight ago.

With the rookie coach having been left exposed by a terrible injury toll and lack of adequate cover by the down-sizing of the first team squad, there is plenty of sympathy at the club for McClennan's predicament.

He may yet survive the season and be given a chance to rectify matters next year - potentially in an alliance with Stephen Kearney - however, that will happen only if McClennan can halt what has been a dramatic five-match slide on Sunday.

A heavy defeat to Ivan Cleary's Panthers - the equal-last placed club on the NRL ladder - would be deemed unacceptable, with McClennan almost certain to be dismissed.

If he does survive it will be under a revamped coaching structure that could include Kearney.

It really has been a winter of discontent for the Warriors. Just as they were poised to make a late season run for the top eight they found ways to steal defeat from the jaws of victory against Newcastle then Manly, and have since recorded three straight thrashings. 

They are a group of players devoid of confidence, with no structure, and a defence that is leaking tries at will. Injuries haven't helped, but in that regard, the Warriors are no different from any other side in the NRL.

We had high hopes for the Warriors under Bluey McClennan, especially after the team went all the way to the Grand Final last year. But all those advances have been lost, and then some. Drastic action is needed to get the might Vodafone Warriors back on track, and Brian McClennan seems likely to be the major casualty.