Bit of context needed, I think.

I agree that at this point in the season, and the position we find ourselves in, failing to come away with a Grand Final win will leave a sense of disappointment. Certainly if we fail to get the required point at Hull on Friday, it will feel like a major body blow.

However, let's be realistic, after all these years of being among the also-rans of Rugny League, if, back in January, somebody had said that we'd have had the season we have presently had, all these huge wins and great attacking displays, top 2 most of the year, then I'd have been mightily satisfied.

I agree a top of the table finish and a GF win would be the icing on the cake, and much deserved, after the style of our play, which is the best in the league to watch. But, ultimately, as a Wire fan, its just nice to be taken seriously as a contender and not constantly mocked as the eternal under-acheivers.

Ideal
Win LLS

playoffs Wire and Wigan win their games v Hudds and Saints

Wigan then play Saints again, Wigan winning 30-0 at HT only for a monumental Saints comeback, Wigan fall to pieces Saints come back to 30-30 with a minute to go, Tomkins lines up a drop kick with 10 seconds left, it drops short and Wellens runs full length beating about 8 tackles and scores under the sticks, Saints in the final.

In the Wire Saints final we stick 90 on them for all those years of suffering and watch them fail AGAIN in a final.

If I was writing the script it would be us beating Saints in the Grand Final.

Them 12 points ahead at half time and singing "oooh w-ky, w-ky", then us score with 8 minutes to go to get their bums twitching.

Then us score a back to back try to leave it level with 5 minutes to go.

Then Briers to kick the drop goal, run up to the Saints fans with his five fingers outstretched like Robbie Fowler did to the United fans to signify FIVE TIMES.

But at this point there will be 1 minute on the clock so time for them to have another set of six, them try to throw it out wide but get wrapped up by our defence, then on tackle three James Graham knocks on and throws the ball on the floor and all our fans go AAAAAARRRRRRR at him before starting the countdown, TEN-NINE-EIGHT.....THREE-TWO-ONE-PPAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRP *Tom Hark theme starts*

I'll take either Sally or Yed's scenario, not fussed which!

I think unless we come away from this season with at least one trophy then most fans will view it as a disappointment, especially after holding the CC for two years running.

Personally I'd really like to have an appearance at the Grand Final, not neccessarily a win. I'd be disappointed to lose of course but wouldn't base a 'successful' season on that alone.

I'd really like to win the LLS. Anyone on their day can win sudden death games, there are so many different factors but to win the LLS shows consistency across the entire season. For me, the real success of the new-look Warrington Wolves is our determination to keep teams out until the final hooter, the desire to not only beat teams but annihilate them and the team spirit evident in every single aspect of our game. For no team to score more than 30 against us this season is immense. I've always been proud to be a Wire but they don't 'alf make it easy these days!

Of course, on saying that a nice shiny trophy or two in the cabinet wouldn't go amiss!

All good points. I do wonder where is next for Warrington though, particularly when Tony Smith leaves. Look at Leeds and Bradford now: after they lost quality coaches like Smith and Noble they have become mere shadows of their former selves.

The only team I have ever known to have a true dominance over Rugby League is Wigan. It is a popular theory that they had unparalleled glory for so many years because they were the only 'pro' team. Now all teams are 'pro', so it would take something really special to see that kind of dominance again. But, a quick look at our u20s squad shows us that we have quality coming through the ranks, so there is definitely potential.

Very good point, Rugbychick. Long gone are the days when it was an inevitability that Warrington let an easy try in just before half-time, haha .

I just did a sex wee.

I couldn't give a love about the LLS.

For me, we need to win the Grand Final because, although there will be other opportunities, I don't remember a season in which the top two were so much better than everyone else and I think Saints and Leeds will come again.

Well said Sally. I think the key will be the coach and when TS finally announces he is off (and I'll shed a tear on that day) we should ask him who he thinks would be a good replacement. Must be someone from down under because I can't think of a British coach fit to lace TS's boots but I hope they line someone up well ahead of time.

After winning LLS & GF, Matt King to change his mind and re-sign for another 3 years.

This depends on where you are coming from.

If you take Wire's last twenty years, then finishing even second in SL and not progressing in the play-offs would be a pretty decent season.

Having won a trophy two years running, then from the standpoint of that new benchmark, and given where we are with one game and the play-offs to go, then we need to win either the LLS or the GF for us to say 'success' in 2011.

From the standpoint of Wire's status with other SL clubs, and especially other SL club supporters, many will ( incorrectly ) continue to write Wire off as a 'small club' unless and until we win the GF. The fact that we play very attractive rugby, have a big average home attendance and can beat every other team in SL means nothing to these gainsayers who would like to keep Wire in the 'also-rans' club. For me, therefore, winning the GF is the goal. If we can manage to win the GF the club gets past that stage and no-one can write us off anymore. As alluded to by Sally C, success is cyclical, and we should not demand or even expect that we will win GFs of CCs every year. For the health of the game the trophies need to be shared around, anyway. Winning silverware every three-four years, whilst being consistent top four finishers, is the mark of a 'successful' club.

When it comes to the coaching future, I think TS will stick around longer at Wire than he did at Leeds. Whilst he's been here the entire club has come on in leaps and bounds, and, despite TS's preference for a new challenge, I bet he'd like to be around when the majority of the SL squad is made up of the current under 20s and under 18s who have progressed so well under his management team. That truly would be a 'Tony Smith' Wire team. I also agree with Sally C that given our financial strength ( even before you consider owner Simon Moran's resources ) we should not 'implode' as did the Bulls or the Comics, but should be able to remain a significant side for many years to come.

Funny how the importance of the LLS increased in inverse proportion as it decreased in Wigan this week!
Let's be honest I don't think our 2 "non-LLS winning" GF wins are viewed any less than our other 2 and I doubt Saints take much comfort out of winning 2 LLS but losing the last 4 GFs. TBH we managed to win both GFs after taking the LLS so it meant nothing to me. Perhaps if Saints or Bradford had won either of those GFs I might feel differently but I doubt it. The SL Trophy is the Holy Grail at the beginning of the season for me. Anyway if it can't be us I wouldn't mind seeing Smithy claim it again! Good Luck!