I don't like OPs post but I do think it is the end an era. I think our best shout at winning it was 2011 and two runs from Burrow in the second half got Leeds back in the game, I don't think it had anything to do with Leeds' character as a champion side or owt, I just think Burrows' size and pace did for us and we had no answer to him.

We have made the final in the last two years but I don't think we've been as good a side since we lost Matt King and our older players have got that bit older and M Monaghan's injuries taken their toll on him.

I don't think we'll be going back to Old Trafford for a good while.

If Koukash sacks Noble next season then its pretty safe to say Simon Moran and Warrington present a better career choice than Koukash and Noble.

But if Noble was available then I would be less worried about Smith moving on elsewhere as we would have a coach of the same calibre available to pick up.

In fact if Smith moves on in the next few seasons to the NRL or whatever, Noble would probably be my top choice, he would no doubt love the chance to coach at a big club again.

There isn't enough depth of talent in the Academy teams to replace these players. Sintellins, Wigan and Leeds still are the clubs producing the volume young players capable of playing at the highest level and they are receiving coaching and support (for instance the St Helens U19s have just gone on an Australian tour) that we can't offer.

Warrington unfortunately will still have to bring in players to bolster the future of the club.

With regard to Smith, I am questioning where would he want to move on to?

Could that be down to John Bastion?
He didn't seem to be in favour of lads from Warrington. I think sts and Wigan have more lads from Warrington than we have?

Correct me if incorrect, heard that from a junior coach.

They don't favour lads from elsewhere but it is simply down to the fact there aren't enough players in Warrington playing at a good enough level. I am certainly not aware of that many players from Warrington being at other clubs Academies, I can only think of two or three. I am sure Warrington would love the Academy to be populated by players from the community clubs but I can't see that happening anytime soon.

Problem being when Warrington do bring players in from other local areas the cream of these players will already be signed.

However, whether we want to accept it or not the Academies at Wigan, Leeds and St Helens are are graded 'A' by the RFL for good reason and ours isn't. Why this is should be open to debate according to the criteria of measurement.