Quote: easyWire "Couldn’t have put it better myself.
I think there’s a slip into a low-pressure comfort zone when a top player joins Warrington. Not necessarily an intentional slip, but the natural result of a long contract on big money, a close and happy relationship with the top brass, and a long in the tooth leadership group who don’t have a reason to drive anything in a different way. Why would you? You’re getting paid well and your natural talent is just enough to keep your team near the top of the table without pushing yourself.
I hope that doesn’t sound too harsh, like I’m accusing some players of taking the pee intentionally, but how else do you explain the poor return on investment? We’ve literally been the only big-spending club in RL for the last decade, with only one trophy to show (and that day was without some
of our ‘star’ players!). We’ve blamed the last coach, now we’re blaming the current one despite his record of improving teams and players.
I think the answer lies closer to following the example of other top clubs, and emulating their youth development, player / management relationship, and standards.'"
This is bang on the money. The 1 trophy in the last 10 seasons really speaks for itself.
We need to face facts that top players and top prospects are going to choose to sign for Wigan, Saints or Leeds before Warrington (the real prospect of winning things) unless financially incentivised otherwise. This in turn means we attract a certain type of player.
I am afraid it appears the likes of Hill, Cooper, Clark, Currie, King et al are more motivated by picking up decent salaries than they are to actually to win a league title at any cost.
I don't know how we break this cycle. Certainly without change, it would not change on it's own.
