Right OK, serious thread and let me know your opinions.

Wigan (my club) has witnessed decades of success and we had a monopoly on silverware for a large part of the 80's and 90's. When we were bottom of the table in 2006 therefore it came as a huge shock. We were in a relegation dog fight which I dont believe Leeds are, but it shows how bad the predicament was.

Rather than being complacent about it like your club seems to be at present we sacked our coach and brought (at the time) an international coach in Brian Noble who had had huge success at the Bradford Bulls. If you did the same it would be the equivalent of getting rid of Brian McDermott and bringing Daryl Powell/Tony smith which i suspect most of your fans wouldnt mind.

Secondly, we broke the rugby league world transfer record and signed arguably the best prop on the planet at that point which was Stuart Fielden. This was a huge signing and gave the whole club a boost. Given the lack of quality in Super league unlikely nowadays you would be able to sign anyone near world class at prop but the equivalent would be one of the top props in this league such as Ben Flower or Chris Hill.

We then signed the form halfback in Super League in Michael Dobson who had the best kick-conversion accuracy of anyone in world rugby league this year. This was another great signing. He wasnt the best half in the league but he was very good. This would be like Gary Hetherington going out and signing Chris Sandow or Luke Gale nowadays.

And, yes, before anyone mentions it we did break the salary cap but we were only punished the year after and given it saved us from relegation it was probably the best thing we ever did.

Anyway the key is not to be complacent. You need to spend big and make big decisions like Wigan did in 2006. Do you really think the current Leeds team will sort itself out without further recruitment?

well we need to get our head out of the sand and do something. We cannot hide behind injuries, lack of training ground. Its what happens on the pitch that counts and at the moment we have no plan A nevermind a plan B.

Top 4 has gone now unless we win every game now. A Top 8 finish will have gone by round 17 with our form - MOT

No following your model the key is to be CHEATS. Would rather not to be honest

No thread about the merits of Wakefield trinity? Think you have answered your own q re salary cap.

We could break the spirit of the cap, that's how Wigan got out of it after all.

Wigan broke the salary cap to survive in 2006. I'd rather get relegated than cheat.

Wigan breached the SPIRIT of the salary cap. Get your facts right.

You exceeded the cap by nearly 250k. You breached the salary cap. Simple as that really.

We need a world class half back, although we've arguably needed one for the last 7 years! Sinfield (being the legend he is) moved from 13 and did a great job, but that should never have been allowed to be the solution IMO.

Other than that I don't have many grumbles, despite our season being finished before it has started. If/when we get a full strength team out, on a 'summer' pitch I'm sure we'll be reminded what this team is capable of, but it'll be too late by then to make any impact on the league. McDermott has possibly come to the end of his Rhinos shelf-life, but I certainly don't think he deserves some of the insults being thrown his way - people have incredibly short memories.

PS Flowers isn't even Wigans best prop!!!!

I stopped reading when I got to that bit. There are lots of doylems on this board but this utter idiot takes the prize I'm afraid.

Ben Flower

Only going from memory but didn't Wigan re-negotiate several contracts - extending length and some back-loading - to reduce their current year commitments and free up space for mid season signings? A breach of the spirit rather than the actual?

I do recall then owner Dave Whelan saying in a TV interview that they'd be no bitching and moaning from them if Wigan finished in a relegation spot. Not sure I believed that but at least it was on the record should there be a change of heart later.

Whilst not being anywhere near perfect I think our current squad should be able to achieve a top 4 finish (might be a struggle this year), what we need is to something like our first 17 all on the pitch at the same time, hopefully that would lead to a few wins and a bit of confidence/momentum then we can see what happens after that.


But if all else fails yes lets sign Flower, Sandow & Powell, I'm sure that will sort things out

From memory, I think the £250k figure is what they would have breached by had the contracts not been messed around with in the way they were. But yes, they were penalised for a breach of the spirit of the cap, hence the reason the punishment wasn't larger.

Nah mate! I prefer to be the only team to win SL who haven't breached the salary cap.

PS Are you out of work by any chance?