The weird thing is that 2023 ended as a bad season, but the spirits were high until about half way through, and even then we finished in the playoffs with a narrow loss at Saints. Prior to that we'd had a terrible 2022, so you'd expect the big drop to come between 22-23, not a year later.

I think it may psychological. We'd bigged up Powell as the guy to change everything, and even after a terrible 2022, we cleared out the playing roster and promised a new culture. By the second half of 2023, I think the general consensus was that we were a lost cause as a club, and it didn't matter who we brought in or what we did, we were destined for the same old also-ran status at the end of every year.

I'd argue that as a club, our supporter base (including potential new fans) is more prosperous and has more disposable income than most other clubs. Warrington isn't a run-down, struggling former mining community. There really is no excuse for the club not to exploit this spending power. To counter that, there's probably much less of a historic 'community' aspect to our club, which would create a certain loyalty and sense of duty (irrespective of rubbish performances).

I'll be interested to see if the Big Sam factor has changed anything.

I remember being at Wigan for our play-off defeat which was Sid's last game for us. The crowd were singing the "Super Sid song" and he was almost in tears.

Cheers. That’ll be why I couldn’t think of a replacement.

Domic was much better than "the good side of average". With hindsight it was a real mistake to let him go - we prioritised Appo who had the one good stretch in his Wire career at the time. Domic went on to be an integral player for Wakey who made the playoffs the next year when we didn't, and then to Hull who made the Grand Final.

That 2002 season was easily the worst of my time following Wire. Much worse than 2022. There was more at stake because the club had far less stable foundations. When you look at what happened to Halifax after 2003 you can see the fate that could have been in store for us. We went into 2002 with basically a Championship level squad, plus a handful of really good pros who stepped up and played well when we were in trouble - Burns, Domic, Fozzard and Nat Wood who we signed mid season. Briers had his worst season for us but he did turn it on in a couple of games that were crucial for us in staying up.

I remember we played 3 games over Easter - I think it was Salford, Widnes and Wakey - lost them all and thats when we knew we were in deep trouble. I have a strong memory of coming out of the ground at Belle Vue realising we were way short of even the sides at the lower end of the table.

Signing Nat Wood from Wakey - a relegation rival - was huge because he brought a competitive edge which we had lacked. We signed Westwood at the same time which over the long term was one of the biggest signings in Wire history but he didn't do a great deal that season.

Sorry lads but I was wondering why we have done so badly this year. But have enjoyed how bad it was in 2002. Nat Wood was fun wasn't he.

[quote="The Speculator":1uwbyvku]2002 was easily the worst I can remember. Paying good money to watch the likes of Gary Hulse, Dave Alstead, Leon Felton, Tom O'Reilly, Dale Cardoza, Danny Halliwell and Kevin Crouthers, plus of course our 'star import' Matt Rodwell, was soul-destroying.[/quote:1uwbyvku] Bit harsh on halliwell. I remember him being slightly better than average, which puts him several levels above the others mentioned.