He's not the best coach in the league but its a fair question about whether Price has been competing with a weaker squad than the teams who have been winning the trophies.

In terms of overall win/loss record I don't think Price has overachieved with the squad he has, but if it's all about trophies, he won one with a squad that was good but not great. We were probably the second weakest team to win the Challenge Cup since Sheffield Eagles in 1998, the weakest being the Catalans team that beat us the year before.

All through Price's time here, we've had 3 consistent problems:
- Lack of leadership in the team, captains unsuited to the role.
- Inconsistent and largely underperforming halfback play.
- Lack of depth in the forwards, weak benches.

How many teams with those issues, win trophies?

Shaun Wane obviously doesn't think so.

I was, of course, being facetious with the Price comment in response to a bit of trolling.

But looking at the 3 problems you've listed about Price's tenure, I think the lack of leadership and inconsistency are where we differ to Saints and Wigan. There's a lack of depth in the forwards at all clubs, and usually only one' impact' forward who really makes a difference form the bench for each team.

Regarding the so-called weak squad fans of other clubs rattle on about, I really can't see where our core positions are so inferior:

Ratchford vs Coote / Hardaker (all internationals)
King/Charnley/Lineham vs Makinson/Grace/Bibby/Field (maybe Makinson stands out above the others)
Austin-Widdop vs Lomax-Fages/Hastings-Leuluai (arguably Austin-Widdop would shine in the Saints or Wigan line-ups)
Hill/Cooper/Philbin vs Walmsley/Amor/Lees/Singleton/Bullock et al
Clark vs Roby/Powell

Not really much in that. It's mentality, coaching and getting much more out of what is already a very good squad.

Well Cas are getting their backsides handed to them against HKR right now 22-6 halftime.

I suspect there's a bit of worry right now in that dressing room. With all the departure announcements there's obviously something afoot behind the scenes and that's not a nice thing to have hanging over you. Of course, Cas won't be the only RL club clinging on right now. I do wonder how Super League will look at the start of next season...

Some game 33-32 to Cas O’Brien drop goal to win it

Do Toby King, Mike Cooper, Chris Hill, Ben Currie, Jack Hughes and Joe Philbin all play a different sport?

Henderson getting a 2nd interview according to Casforum, wonder if he will take Briers has his assistant.

Yeah Briers is offski. Powell is bringing in his own staff.

Briers is George Riley's new research assistant

Not many of those guys are going to trouble the Aussies. Maybe Hill, Cooper and Currie 5 years ago.

:2qptcq3r

Those comparisons are quite revealing, especially if you think we are too predictable and should play a more open expansive game. We're quite one-paced in the backs compared to those other teams and if Powell wants to come in and start playing like he did at Castleford's peak he might go with Ashton at fullback, bring in one or two quicker wingers/centres.

Also saying Austin and Widdop would shine in the Saints or Wigan line ups...I don't think those are the type of signings Saints or Wigan would make. They are very much 'Warrington' halfbacks - big name NRL signings on big salaries who struggle to live up to them. Saints and Wigan tend to go more for home grown halfbacks or identify players who aren't the obvious names but are underrated.

The other point I could have added where we have been consistently poor during Price's time is with our kicking game, but this goes back further, since Briers retired.

These discussions about our squad vs the top teams remind me of where we were around 2006 with Cullen where people were trying to convince themselves that we had the team to compete ['look at all the internationals', when if we were honest, the other top teams wouldn't have taken any of them. Those guys were gone when we were actually a good team. It's the same now, Wigan and Saints aren't looking enviously at our squad wishing they had some of our players, none would be obvious starters other than Daryl Clark, the others would be squad depth.

There will be a thread on here at some point, like there is every year, saying the problem with Warrington is we accept less than what Wigan and Saints demand, and this kind of thing sums it up. Its like when every year we announce contract extensions and there's a swathe of comments saying great news, the future's bright the future's Wire! Or when we go on a winning run for a few weeks there will be a thread saying is Ratchford the best Warrington signing in the Super League era. Wigan and Saints operate in a different universe of expectations.