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| Smith has been great for us that cannot be really debated he has brought us silverware and had influences in changes off the pitch also. But so far is yet to bring us the super league trophy we want. The challenge cup and Lls should be the icing on the cake not make the season a success.
The reason for our failure to win the SL trophy can be debated but the buck must stop with him. We've missed out on finals where we have been ahead and should have closed the games out. I don't rate ts as a great tactician when we have creative and intelligent players we do and play well, without them we look devoid of ideas or a plan b when we don't blow teams away in the first 20.
Who do we look at to replace him? I don't know but we need a coach who can brig the best out of the players available. To be able to change things mid game someone that players will run thru brick walls for. We're not in a desperate rush but we should be looking as it should not be down to whose available when smith decides to leave. If the club become aware someone is available that they have identified as smiths successor they should get him signed up n move smith upstairs
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| Quote ="Wires71"Can we nail this LLS stuff. No other big team sets that as a target. Our target was to win the Grand Final.'"
At the start of last season, after such a lacklustre season before and our full knowledge of our lightweight pack, our aim was just to get into the top4. We exceded our expectations last season.
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| Quote ="Psychedelic Casual"At the start of last season, after such a lacklustre season before and our full knowledge of our lightweight pack, our aim was just to get into the top4. We exceded our expectations last season.'"
The coach and players last season were quite clear that the aim was to win SL.
Retrospectively lowering ambitions to just below achievement is not really the hallmark of winning behaviour.
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| I don't think a light pack is as relevant in this day & age & mobility among the forwards is more important.What seems to destroy our ambitions are any permutations of the following points...disrespecting possession, trying to score on every move & having no Plan B.Simple catching & passing moves would seem a good place for the coaching staff to concentrate on & try working some composure into our sets in possession.This subject crops up every season & nothing changes on the field.
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| I consider the clout of Moran far more significant and the key to success.
I doubt there would be any backward step if Agar took over from today.
I'd be content to see Smith take a role upstairs.
Crucisl selection errors in our post 2012 finals era.
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| Quote ="Wires71"The coach and players last season were quite clear that the aim was to win SL.
Retrospectively lowering ambitions to just below achievement is not really the hallmark of winning behaviour.'"
Well a club with one excellent prop in Hill, an injured Ben Westwood, an injured Ben Harrison, an okay Sims and some dross with Bailey and Cox and then young lads shouldn't be expecting to win anything. If we did then our expectations were unrealsistic. We had no pace in the forwards, a lack of aggression, lack of weight. We didn't have, and still don't, any true decent centres who create space and good passes for the wingers neither.
At the start of last season I expected to challenge for around 4th/5th and I never thought about any finals. I thought we were well short.
We have a stronger heavier more aggressive pack this year, still no pace in there though. And still have no true centres. And a right mish-mash of backs who are okay in a range of positions but masters of none!
Wigan and Cas look much better than we do on paper. So I, again don't expect us to win anything this season, and I reckon we'll finish 3rd-5th.
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| I'd have smith back at Leeds tomorrow please swap for McDermott anyone?
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| What always amuses me is some of those who have such a "accept nothing less than winning" mentality are the same types of old guard fan who will have us believe that the great team of the 80s with Les Boyd, Mike Gregory and co in, was some kind of benchmark of greatness.
In reality, that team finished 3rd and 4th a couple of times but for much of the 1980s we were a mid table side that would get to the occasional final or semi final and lose. It wasn't just Wigan that were better than us though, we were behind the likes of Widnes and Saints.
Now maybe back in the old days Warrington was not as big a club as it is today and so that 80s team was seen as plucky mid-table heroes who could front up and give the big teams a spirited fight even if they ended up defeated.
But I think if you have such high standards that anything less than the title is a failure then you shouldn't be glorifying that Warrington team you should be telling us about Shaun Edwards, Ellery Hanley, guys who actually were relentless winners.
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| Quote ="EVO105"Kevin is a similar player the Lee Briers so I think good times are round the corner for the Wire again'"
How did Kevin play last night
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| Quote ="Psychedelic Casual"Well a club with one excellent prop in Hill, an injured Ben Westwood, an injured Ben Harrison, an okay Sims and some dross with Bailey and Cox and then young lads shouldn't be expecting to win anything. If we did then our expectations were unrealsistic. We had no pace in the forwards, a lack of aggression, lack of weight. We didn't have, and still don't, any true decent centres who create space and good passes for the wingers neither.
At the start of last season I expected to challenge for around 4th/5th and I never thought about any finals. I thought we were well short.
We have a stronger heavier more aggressive pack this year, still no pace in there though. And still have no true centres. And a right mish-mash of backs who are okay in a range of positions but masters of none!
Wigan and Cas look much better than we do on paper. So I, again don't expect us to win anything this season, and I reckon we'll finish 3rd-5th.'"
Will I think this season will bring you silverware
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| Quote ="Psychedelic Casual"Well a club with one excellent prop in Hill, an injured Ben Westwood, an injured Ben Harrison, an okay Sims and some dross with Bailey and Cox and then young lads shouldn't be expecting to win anything. If we did then our expectations were unrealsistic. We had no pace in the forwards, a lack of aggression, lack of weight. We didn't have, and still don't, any true decent centres who create space and good passes for the wingers neither.
'"
Again, I'll repeat it was the club's expectations. Plenty of comments from TS and players pre 2016 season about the targets.
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| Quote ="Wires71"Again, I'll repeat it was the club's expectations. Plenty of comments from TS and players pre 2016 season about the targets.'"
Brian McDermott came out and said his players were targeting all 3 trophies this year. I think that tells you all you need to know about pre-season comments.
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| Quote ="Psychedelic Casual"Well a club with one excellent prop in Hill, an injured Ben Westwood, an injured Ben Harrison, an okay Sims and some dross with Bailey and Cox and then young lads shouldn't be expecting to win anything. If we did then our expectations were unrealsistic. We had no pace in the forwards, a lack of aggression, lack of weight. We didn't have, and still don't, any true decent centres who create space and good passes for the wingers neither.
At the start of last season I expected to challenge for around 4th/5th and I never thought about any finals. I thought we were well short.
We have a stronger heavier more aggressive pack this year, still no pace in there though. And still have no true centres. And a right mish-mash of backs who are okay in a range of positions but masters of none!
Wigan and Cas look much better than we do on paper. So I, again don't expect us to win anything this season, and I reckon we'll finish 3rd-5th.'"
After the time and investment Tony Smith has had at his disposal, we should have the best squad in the competition... if Cas and Wigan have far better teams on paper then he should probably leave now.
Absolutely no excuses for Smith.
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| Quote ="Ron"After the time and investment Tony Smith has had at his disposal, we should have the best squad in the competition... if Cas and Wigan have far better teams on paper then he should probably leave now.
Absolutely no excuses for Smith.'"
Shouldn't the same be said, then, of Saints, Wigan and Leeds? All four of us can't win SL at the same time. Would that it were so simple just to acquire the best squad in the competition. The Chris Sandow story, by itself, gives the lie to that.
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| Quote ="Asgardian13"Shouldn't the same be said, then, of Saints, Wigan and Leeds?'"
All of them have won the Grand final under Smith reign though.
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| Quote ="Asgardian13"Shouldn't the same be said, then, of Saints, Wigan and Leeds? All four of us can't win SL at the same time. Would that it were so simple just to acquire the best squad in the competition. The Chris Sandow story, by itself, gives the lie to that.'"
Except we have invested more money than them 3 teams, and they're the ones who have won at least 1 grand final since Smith took over.
Don't really see your point anyway... the poster I replied to made out that our squad is far weaker than Wigans and castlefords. I said if it was, Smith should leave because he has invested very poorly.
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| I don't know if Patton was injured during the GF but i think Smith's biggest boo boo was probably substituting Sandow for Patton. Given what happened later in the year maybe Sandow was not fully committed to playing that day.
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| Quote ="ninearches"I don't know if Patton was injured during the GF but i think Smith's biggest boo boo was probably substituting Sandow for Patton. Given what happened later in the year maybe Sandow was not fully committed to playing that day.'"
I think Smiths biggest Boo Boo was not taking the 2 points on offer in the first half of the first G/F against Wigan .
He would probably tell you that too .
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| Wigan win another major title under Shaun Wane.
I know he probably seems like Wigan through and through but money talks.
Would you accept an increase in season ticket prices if it meant we were able to afford an offer to Wane that would turn his head and get him on board at Warrington for 2018?
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| Quote ="sally cinnamon"Wigan win another major title under Shaun Wane.
I know he probably seems like Wigan through and through but money talks.
Would you accept an increase in season ticket prices if it meant we were able to afford an offer to Wane that would turn his head and get him on board at Warrington for 2018?'"
If Smith was to leave yes. I wouldn't sack Smith for him as he doesn't deserve to be sacked and I don't think Moran would. He is here for how long he wants to be IMO.
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| I agree with the Wenger comparisons that have been made. My big concern is that we seem to be satisfied with second or "improving" - there's only one metric that counts - winning. In the last 4 seasons we haven't won anything. LLS is nice but let's be honest the top rank trophies are the CC and SL GF.
The culture of the club is good but seems a bit soft to me - we don't seem to hate losing or fear failure as much as Wane's Wigan.
The reality is that we need to win a major trophy this season or we need to start thinking about a change. At the minute it feels like an Arsenal situation where the manager is so in charge he's lost all threat to his position.
I'm also wary of reading too much into last weekend - we played well in the similar game in 15 and had a stinker of a season.
Anyway - let's hope we take off from last Saturday and are chanting Smith Forever at OT in October!
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| Quote ="sally cinnamon"What always amuses me is some of those who have such a "accept nothing less than winning" mentality are the same types of old guard fan who will have us believe that the great team of the 80s with Les Boyd, Mike Gregory and co in, was some kind of benchmark of greatness.
In reality, that team finished 3rd and 4th a couple of times but for much of the 1980s we were a mid table side that would get to the occasional final or semi final and lose. It wasn't just Wigan that were better than us though, we were behind the likes of Widnes and Saints.
Now maybe back in the old days Warrington was not as big a club as it is today and so that 80s team was seen as plucky mid-table heroes who could front up and give the big teams a spirited fight even if they ended up defeated.
But I think if you have such high standards that anything less than the title is a failure then you shouldn't be glorifying that Warrington team you should be telling us about Shaun Edwards, Ellery Hanley, guys who actually were relentless winners.'"
Perhaps I can help with your confusion.
The team in the 80's which you refer to was the team to last win silverware for Warrington until recently. The Premiership in '86 and John Player in 91, we won nothing again until 2009, nearly 20 barren years later. It is right that that team is celebrated as they achieved that against the odds being a club with a small support base and limited cash against a dominant Wigan. People who actually watched that side will need no reminding of how good it was.
However it is perfectly possible to hold a position now where one recognises the traits of serially successful clubs and, as the club are now in a position to compete financially with them, consider it reasonable to emulate the desire to win and exhibit winning cultures. We currently do not do that.
So you can see we can laud the team of the 80's and raise the question the winning attitude of the team which 30 years later is in a different space financially.
You can tell the winning attitude a mile away. Wigan would not stick with a coach who won nothing for 4 years, losing 4 finals, neither would Saints or Leeds. Simple as that really.
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| Quote ="Wires71"Perhaps I can help with your confusion.
The team in the 80's which you refer to was the team to last win silverware for Warrington until recently. The Premiership in '86 and John Player in 91, we won nothing again until 2009, nearly 20 barren years later. It is right that that team is celebrated as they achieved that against the odds being a club with a small support base and limited cash against a dominant Wigan. People who actually watched that side will need no reminding of how good it was.
However it is perfectly possible to hold a position now where one recognises the traits of serially successful clubs and, as the club are now in a position to compete financially with them, consider it reasonable to emulate the desire to win and exhibit winning cultures. We currently do not do that.
So you can see we can laud the team of the 80's and raise the question the winning attitude of the team which 30 years later is in a different space financially.
You can tell the winning attitude a mile away. Wigan would not stick with a coach who won nothing for 4 years, losing 4 finals, neither would Saints or Leeds. Simple as that really.'"
You're being very selective in your argument though. You can't claim that the LLS means nothing (not sure if you have, but most Smith detractors seem to be suggesting this), then say that the Premiership or Regal Trophy (as it was in '91) count as worth winning. And you've ignored the point that this side wasn't even second best-Widnes and others were ahead, and they had no more cash than us (and only better crowds as they were winning). In '86 Wigan were not a dominant force and their '85 cup win was their first in 20 years, whilst they hadn't won the league in 25. You can't retro fit their later dominance as a reason our team from this time didn't win more.
On the strength of trophies and finals, Smith's achievements even post the 3 cup wins is still ahead of the team in the mid/late 80s, and has been done in an era of the salary cap, with an aging team that needed re-building. I've said before, 2014-2015 will prove to this era the equivalent of our 1951-1952 period; I believe Smith can still lead us to a second peak similar to the mid-50s team. Keep the faith!
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| Quote ="NtW"You're being very selective in your argument though. You can't claim that the LLS means nothing (not sure if you have, but most Smith detractors seem to be suggesting this), then say that the Premiership or Regal Trophy (as it was in '91) count as worth winning. And you've ignored the point that this side wasn't even second best-Widnes and others were ahead, and they had no more cash than us (and only better crowds as they were winning). In '86 Wigan were not a dominant force and their '85 cup win was their first in 20 years, whilst they hadn't won the league in 25. You can't retro fit their later dominance as a reason our team from this time didn't win more.
On the strength of trophies and finals, Smith's achievements even post the 3 cup wins is still ahead of the team in the mid/late 80s, and has been done in an era of the salary cap, with an aging team that needed re-building. I've said before, 2014-2015 will prove to this era the equivalent of our 1951-1952 period; I believe Smith can still lead us to a second peak similar to the mid-50s team. Keep the faith!'"
I am not comparing the teams of the 80s and the current one. That would not be fair based on the financial situations. All I am defending is that it's possible to recognise the achievements of those wins in 86 and 91 where a win at all costs attitude would be ridiculous, and now having different expectations of the team.
Smith has been wonderful for Warrington. The question was "is it time to part ways if we fail to win the GF in his 8th year". It seems to divide opinion. But as I've said, if we had the ruthless win at all costs attitude that Wigan, Leeds and Saints have then Smith would most likely have been replaced already.
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| TS built the best team in the league in 2011, it was honestly a travesty that team didn't get a chance to compete in the grand final, I haven't seen a better team win it since.
We were always heading for a rebuilding period, but throughout that period we have challenged. Ask Leeds how they have fared through theirs....
I was sat on a table at a charity do with TS tonight and the guy is just inspiring, there is no one else in SL I would want at the head of my club.
He's built again, this team is more than capable of winning a grand final, and it's the youngest team I've seen at Warrington for a long, long time. He's brought in young English players and he's managed to keep good British players at the club when other teams are seeing players disappear down under.
Yes he is well backed, yes plenty of money has been spent, but TS is the man that WILL land us a grand final. And more importantly, he's the sort of man I want leading my rugby team.
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