We tried the home-grown approach with Paul Cullen. Paul is Wire to the core and a good coach, to boot, but he clearly did not have that extra special something that gets you to finals and wins trophies.

A glaring example of our shortcomings was in the play off against Wigan at the HJ. Wigan had been criticised all season for grinding out wins & following the Flower sending off sprang into life with a Plan B that we had no answer to. We have been vulnerable against any opponents that have had alternative plans to fall back on ,& not just last season.

What's odd about that? Your OPINION may prove to be correct over time, then again it might not. I think that it's normal that opinion will change over time, it would be a sad world if people were so convinced that they were correct all the time and stuck rigidly to that conviction.

Surely, it's all about expectation and not just the trophy cabinet have we entertained or been unlucky will also sway opinion? 2017 may be someone's last chance saloon, however he stays on and wins the lot in 2018 they may have to change their tune. Alternatively, the let him have a 'job for life brigade' finally get fed up in 2020 when we are still (hopefully not) pot-less and call for his head.

I hope he builds on last year, but, if he doesn't win the GF I wouldn't automatically show him the door

I agree, "the Willie Poaching era" was incredible to watch. We played exciting rugby, winning games at a canter and racking up points. Best era from a Warrington team in my lifetime, only 1994 coming close.

What is the difference between this team and that? Put simply, the standard of player has dropped significantly, the Hodgson/Briers/Monaghan's of the world are not playing in England. Some teams set up very well and play 'structure' rugby, and do that very well and it's hard to break down without a bit of class. Sadly, we don't have that (we were close with Sandow), so we either fight fire with fire and play dull, structured but effective rugby, or play expressive rugby as well as a reduced skill set of players can. My preference, as stated at the start of this post, was to play entertaining rugby.

Sitting on the fence over the Smith issue. But IF we were to want a change of coach, who would it be from the list of realistic available options?

Powell, whilst impressing me so far, doesn't seem to offer anything more than Smith. Lovely attacking rugby but leaky defence. Seems to get the best out of the British contingent at the club but unsure about whether he's a master tactician.

Which other proven coaches and potential GF winners are out there? I mean realistically, not top NRL coaches like Bennett. Interestingly, British coaches have been more successful in the SL era anyway.

Any suggestions?

We should have Jamie Peacock in charge with Kevin Sinfield as his assistant, or vice versa. They won the treble and apparently Brian McDermott didn't have that much to do with it....

Yes fair point my opinion. I think Tony Smith has not rebuilt the team effectively though. Let's look at the 3/4 line he has assembled - it's not fit for purpose with 50% of it playing out of position and his star signing wasn't even fit for selection for 1/2 season. Quality is not there - just compare our centres and wingers to those at Wigan and Leeds. By and large we lack pace and the ability to beat a man, Adkins at least offers power and athleticism but it's the worst 3/4 lineup of the "top teams" by a long way.

Wayne Bennett ? Not at all impressed with this super coach's England selections for the Four Nations." If he plays in NRL he must be good enough for the England team ", not so & very poor for a top coach.

He rebuilt a team good enough to make two finals and win the LLS. Our 3/4s aren't great but we've the best front and back row (when fit), and our halves are up there with the best (of a bad bunch). Such is the nature of the salary cap. I'd prefer that balance than the other way around-the alternative is to be Leeds. No thanks.

I can't see the point of this thread, its a bit like building a new sports car and then before it's even raced, discussing the problems of last years model. I am not in love with Tony, I think he is fallible, particularly when it comes to longer term strategic thinking. But he does have great strengths with his inter personal skills and team motivation, and lets face it, all coaches have their drawbacks whoever you sign. But back to the main point, we need to see how this team performs (in my view it's considerably stronger than last year) before any discussion on ditching the helm. You can whinge as much as you like, but nobody has a god-given right to win anything, and if you don't like it, go and support something else, there is plenty to choose from out there.

Great post Charlie, we all want the same outcome & ultimately I think TS can deliver that with this team/squad

Sportsmen & teams have cycles and I believe we are on an upward cycle and the mix of the age and experience of the squad will reach its optimum in the next 2 to 3 seasons

There are many factors in winning silverware but I think we have all the ingredients to win the Holy Grail!!!

How about you do you, and I'll do me - thanks.