What happens if we win back to back titles in 2018 and 2019, playing attritional NRL rugby. Does Price get one more year in 2020 to prove himself an entertainer or do we make the bold decision to part ways with him after 2019 and bring in someone like Millward who created the most entertaining Saints and Wigan teams in SL history?

Not in the slightest

Of course he gets a new contract. To not a give a winning coach a new contract would be facile, and there'd be hell to pay from (I imagine) the majority of fans.

As I've said, it's just [i[uMY[/u[/i opinion, but I like my indulgences to entertain me.
When I give up my precious time and money to attend/turn the tele on for rugby matches, I want to be gripped, I don't want my attention to wander, when games are on. But it does.
It's not just Wire. I watched last night's game, and I was bored. A game of mistakes, and low risk rugby. Yes, it was an important game, where winning is everything, but the majority of games for the last few season's for ALL clubs, are mirroring this. Coaches are becoming obsessed with the win column in tables. Yes, their jobs depend on it, but the speccy should be entertained.

After another night's insomnia, I've just watched last week's tries v Wakefield, and bar BMM's barnstorming run, our tries came from [i[ucomedy of errors[/u[/i on the last tackle. It's dull and formulaic. Lineham's two tries on Thursday were reminiscent of the Smith glory days. Great stuff, more of the same, please.
Yes, our halves aren't doing much, this year. Maybe things will change, with the arrival of a new half for 2019. Here's hoping.

The thing is, there's more to life in sport, than JUST winning. Take Arsenal 30 to 20 years ago, under George Graham. Effective (one niiiil, to the Arsenal) but, in the end, dull. Their fans must've been bored witless. Wenger comes in, and transforms their club. Not many dull games when he was in charge.

So, yes. Success for Price is great, and a potential GF win is fantastic. Get the job done, but next season, let's play entertaining rugby. PLEASE.

Lefty - I think this tells the story. 2018 vs 2017 average attendances. Wire are in 4 figures for the first time in 14 years, but the decline is across the board. These people are the lifeblood of RL. <100K in total.

Very interesting that. Hopefully with Austin's arrival, he'll bring some x-factor and fans back like a certain Mr Sandow (without the baggage).

Got to admire Leeds and Hull for their attendances, especially with the seasons they've had.

Yes. From the P/O column we can see that the Super 8's have a poor effect on attendances.

Thing is I think fans can be won back with a more exciting spectacle on the field. We used to average around 12K for home games, so I know there are 2,000 Wire fans who could come back. I'm one of them. I got disenfranchised with a) match day experience b) Draper rubbing the noses of the SqB and Supporters Trust by ignoring them in the Hardwired membership*.

*A lot of us had paid into that since 2002 and were treated like crap by the club only for the to leave after 18 months with carnage in his wake.

I really enjoy seeing Prices 'emotion, as long as he still has the cool head that's needed to make the right decisions at the right time before and during the match.

I know many on here didn't like Smiths detached demeanor but there is a lot to be said for it - and there's more than one way to 'skin a cat'.

I'd also like to take the opportunity to say thank god we had Smith. He had his faults as we all do but he brought us more success than many of us have ever seen.
The last year was a year too far and in sports I think all coaches have a shelf life.
I don't know what he's doing now but I hope he's really rooting for us on Saturday like Cull will be.

Let's trust SP can take us that one step further.

Stats again W71.

They I can prove your thought notion completely wrong.
Once again you see a stat and you think that is a downturn across the board.

Draper rubbing the noses of the SqB and Supporters Trust by ignoring them in the Hardwired membership*.

*A lot of us had paid into that since 2002 and were treated like crap by the club only for the nice person to leave after 18 months with carnage in his wake.'"

"thought notion" Brilliant, I presume that your phone uses English as a second language as it's predictive text model?

Not really statistics - more the average attendance figures for 2018 for comment. It is a widely held view that attendances and TV viewing figures are reducing.

I'll be pleased to hear your thought notion of how attendances are not decreasing and how the game is in rude health.

They reflect on season ticket sales that rise or fall off the back of how the season went in the previous year.
I would be expecting to Wire Pies and Stains to rise again.

RD, you were going to prove my thought notion wrong - I remain looking forward to reading that.

In the meantime I don't doubt that previous seasons influence season ticket sales which is a bit of a concern for teams like Cas who had their best season in years in 2017 and still dropped attendance. Leeds won the title too. In total 9 teams show a decline.

Warrington's average attendance has dropped about 2,000 since 2012. Not suprising really. Should hopefully rise in 2019.

Has anybody got the stats for our average attendances in 2016 and 2017 as well. We can then see if there's a general downward trend in Warrington home attendances or if rubber duckie is right, in which case attendances would have been higher in 2017 due to more season ticket sales following us finishing top and making two finals in 2016.

I've really enjoyed seeing a well drilled team..... We are now a team that is obviously coached. Price really tries, and he really wants to be a winner.

Its been very impressive how he has got this team to 2 finals.

its also nice to see a coach that doesn't just shrug his shoulders, play hard done to and sign another fat contract.

remember though..... 'watch what you wish for'... apparently

As somebody said earlier in the thread, different coaches have different approaches. No one seemed to critcise Smith's approach/attitude/demeanour when we won the Challenge Cup in year one (yes, won), then won it the following year, won the LLS the year after that. Then made the Grand Final whilst winning the Challenge Cup for the third time in four years. Oh, and then making the Grand Final again the following year.

MD haven't we moved on together? Hope so, I agree that Price has had a positive affect and I'm enjoying his tenure particularly his manner approach and enthusiasm.

Although serving no purpose at all a few might also want to "remember" their comments (not directed at you or anyone in particular btw) but how laughable were some of the posts when his appointment was confirmed

oh its not personal.... nothing was directed at me.... i genuinely dont have any skin in that game.

ive just REALLY enjoyed this season... after what was a bit of a personal crusade against the old regime... ive fallen back in love with my rugby team again.... it been very refreshing.

I'd say that our Semi Final Vs Saints has been one of the best games of RL in this country for the past 2 or 3 years. If every game was played at that intensity RL in the northern hemisphere would be in a much better place.

Very true. We were superb 2010-2012, problem was when we kept missing the big one for the following 5 years he made himself open to critique.
.

SP has made a terrific start to his coaching tenure at the HJS. To make both finals after being bottom four in 2017 and the opening six rounds of SL this year, has been a magnificent achievement.
He's just one game away from obtaining legendary status in my book, if only for putting an end to Eddie's constant mentioning of how many years it's been since 1955.

It's funny, but I was thinking the other night - my main reason for wanting to win this season isn't to finally cross that hurdle, it's to stop the cringeworthy comments from the commentary box.

I've no reason other than us winning because we are the best. The banter is entertainment for me. It doesn't grind me.

Will be funny to hear Clarke slag us off as it's impossible to win until the 79th minute.

On playback of course.

Yes, it's strange that Eddie never mentions the semi final hoodoo that is blighting St Helens.