Although a few weeks ago I wasn’t on the Lam Out bandwagon I can’t help but agree with this post. I do feel sorry for him in that he inherited a squad fraught with issues and injuries but I can’t really see a future at Wigan for him.

Tony Smith is being rumoured and to be honest I think that would be quite a shrewd appointment. He’s a proven quality coach and proven winner, but much more importantly he’s proven to improve teams exponentially. Warrington wouldn’t be where they are today without Tony Smith.

I would hope we go nowhere near Tony Smith, he had his time but the game has moved on from his tactics. Anybody remember his last year at Wire? No thanks.

Tough to judge Lam at all IMO because of the disruption in many areas. We’ve had injuries, suspensions, a shambles of a coaching situation, a drugs ban and two players on drink drive charges. As a caretaker you sort of feel some of that stuff is beyond his control and tough to get a grip on.

There’s some positive signs but as many negative ones and I still don’t feel like I can form any reasonable judgement on how he’s done or could do longer term. There’s also too many unknowns in regards to recruitment and retention beyond this year to know what a coach will have to work with. We’ll need serious recruitment to get back near the top of the league regardless of who the coach is.

Agree with all the points re: injuries etc but some stuff (defending from dummy half/up the middle/discipline) is basic, no matter who the player is, and not having that is very very worrying.

Pretty much sums the situation up really,the situation of course isn’t down to Lam but is he really the man to push on and if needs be stand up for what players he does want?

Time will tell of course.

Surely pro players dont forget how to tackle and defend in the space of 12 months?

The job to reconstruct this team is a big one, is Lam up to it or is it too big a job for him? We don't know, to give it him is a risk as he has no history as a coach. Do we take a risk on him or look for experience? Or do we do nothing for now and give him time to make the decision a results based one?

I’m now hearing the Tony Smith is being considered as an assistant coach for Lammy.

Like he was for James Lowes?

I find it ironic that some still defend the club blindly even though its now playing home games at a conference centre against 2nd tier opposition where as it used to play at a bespoke rugby stadium against world renowned names such as Wigan and st Helens....

We're playing ourselves?

Yes, in those days we were so good we had to play ourselves to have any decent opposition

Don’t get me wrong I think there’s better coaches out there such as Jason Demetriou but I don’t think that appointing Tony Smith would be a bad idea. I think he’d steady the ship, get us playing to some form of logical game plan, improve our defence and recruit players we need whilst simultaneously firing off those who are patently not good enough (TT, Isa, Clubb, Shorrocks for example).

Its not as simple as firing players off. If they are under contract you need another club to take them on or their wage still counts on the cap simply just saying your going wont work

I’m not getting this, have a missed something?

We are spaced too wide around the ruck when defending our line, also, we don’t seem to want to get off our line, up and out when defending it too. These are rugby league basics when defending your line.

Reconstruct? Lam inherited a champion team who was on an unbeaten run. We lost a few key players which were already replaced.

We won, take the positives and stop moaning. Yes there’s huge room for improvement but we got the two points on offer. Don’t forget Salford dismantled Warrington, they’re not a bad side.

by inferior players

I'm talking long term, as in losing SOL, Tommy and Williams. There's more to a discussion than just the present... Whoever is appointed has to deal with that situation. Your "champion team" will be missing Sam, Bateman, Tommy, Williams and Lockers. The next manager, whoever is appointed has work to do with all this in mind. Burgess is out of contract, Dom may not come back the player he was. Gildart is rumoured to interesting the NRL. So yes our next coach has a hell of a lot to do. Or do you not agree?

Spot on post Mr A
It really doesn't really matter who we bring in as the next coach Wane, Smith or the lord god almighty as long as we have an owner who is on a mission to cut costs, we will struggle.
All successful teams are built around star players in pivotal positions. IL has overseen a period where our star players consistently want away from the club, why ?
Sam probably would still have been here had IL not wanted to cut his wages, its no secret that this, along with the non signing of Liam Watts was instrumental in SW saying he had enough.
When George goes next season who are we going to replace him with ? apparently Joe Greenwood isn't overly happy with life at the DW and Budgie wont be around for the long term, take those three out and we will struggle even in the Championship
Pedigree players don't come along that often and whilst you cant have a situation where the tail is wagging the dog you cant fill your yard with mongrels and expect to win Crufts.

So is this for real, or have you just made that bit up because it sounds good?

I'd say made up Greenwood looked happy enough to me yesterday !!

Quote ="Cruncher"So is this for real, or have you just made that bit up because it sounds good?'" https://www.facebook.com/groups/1632222510433603/

Quote ="Cruncher"So is this for real, or have you just made that bit up because it sounds good?'" https://www.facebook.com/groups/1632222510433603/

Joe Greenwood is one of the shining lights of the team and one for the future, we need to keep hold of him.

First things first, we need a coach with experience but still fresh, someone to start the rebuilding process like Maguire did in 2010.

Someone who knows how to win (not as a player but as a coach) and plays an attractive brand of rugby or inspires the players to do so.

Someone who will come in and get rid of all the hangers on within the club and stop the jobs for the boys culture and get the right back room staff in.

It needs to be someone with their finger on the pulse, I’m not too sure Lammy does with regards Superleague before he came, but whoever gets the jobs needs to know Superleague well.

Then we need to back him financially, the core of the team is 1, 7 and 9 and this is where money should be spent as a priority with at least 2 international (1st tier nations) props as a minimum. We have Hardaker at 1 but if true then be told it’s only a matter of time before he drops a b****ck and leaves the club, harsh but true. 7 and 9 are a must.

If it was up to me, I’d draw up a short list of Daryl Powell and Chris Chester from Superleague, both have built their squads up and play attractive rugby, Tim Sheens would be on there too but for his age, I don’t think he’d have the hunger to be honest.

Then add in former SL coaches Tony Smith and Justin Morgan, with the latter being the favourite mainly due to the added experience he’s gained, he would have the hunger to go at it again, Smith I’m not so sure of.

Then the Overseas coaches, Shane Flanagan, would he shoot back of to the NRL once given a chance? Jason Demetriou? Lacks experience and it’s essy to get a good name as an assistant coach on the back of another coaches or teams name but saying that he’s been successful in the reserve grades coaching by winning titles, if successful at Wigan he’d be off like a shot to the NRL.

Answers on a postcard.