Respect for what he done for the club in 06, OK he did not build on that to the level we would have wanted/ expected but never the less he will het a warm welcome from me.

I feel a bite coming on



I wouldn't say we kept improving that much but we certainly did not go backwards!

I think we improved in 2009 compared to 2008.

You are correct 2007 was down to Barrett really.

The trouble with the Noble argument is people always exaggerate it one way or another. He alone didn't save us from relegation, in fact we were on quite a losing streak before the signing of Fielden and not long after Dobson. I think the three combined eased us away from the trapdoor.

On the other side he is regarded as a failure because he failed to win a trophy or take us to a final. Again I don't think this is all down to Noble more our players bottling it on the big occasion.

Should the squad over the last 3 years have challenged for the title? IMO no. The quality of Leeds and Saints' squads over this period far outweighed any coaching inequalities.

Should the squad have finished 3rd behind Leeds and Saints on the league ladder as well as the play-offs? On paper yes IMO. However this is highly debatable. The difference between our squad over this period and the other challengers for third spot was far more marginal than the difference between the top 2 and the rest.

However it hasn't all been bad as some would like to point out. We've had some memorable games but on the flip side we've also had some games we'd rather forget.

Noble along with IL has done a great job of stabilising this club and laying the foundations for the future coach to work with and go on and take the plaudits. For that we must thank him. Could we have gone on further still if Noble was allowed to sign his first choices and build the squad he wanted - we'll never know.

The stall has been set quite high for Maguire. For him to be deemed a success this squad must finish 4th and reach the GF. Should he be sacked if we don't? Definitely not. I do however think he has a better chance than Noble. Saints look like they are finally on the decline after many years of waiting so there is now room for someone to give a serious challenge to that second spot. Leeds still look too strong for anyone though so any hopes of our title drought ending need to be put on hold for the time being.

Good post.

Some people like Noble and some don't. I don't but I can understand if some do. I'm not wrong and they are not wrong, it just depends on our perspectives.
Certain instances might clour our opinions.
A friend of mine said he didn't like him because her overheard him say, "Knock his effing head off," (referring to Shaun Edwards when they were in opposition).
Another friend is impressed by the amount of work he put into the club.
When he returns with Crusaders, some will applause and some will stay silent. At least we won't boo like other clubs do when some of their ex-players have returned in the Wigan team.

Brian Noble the Marmite of Super League