Villas-Boas had achieved more than enough during his career to make himself known. He won the treble with Porto in his first full year of management, he'd worked with Jose Mourinho at both Inter and Chelsea, and he was widely regarded as one of, if not the best young coach in the world. Thing is, he wasn't a 'big name' because he hadn't achieved anything in a big league. Just like Madge, he's achieved things with Wigan and he's managed to get a big job back home, but until he's winning trophies with Souths and establishing himself as one of the NRL's best coaches, how can he be deemed big news?

Fact is, he's got the job on the belief he'll be a top coach, but to say he's well-respected and a big name, when his only achievement in Aus has been as a what, number 3? It's a little farfetched.

Point is, and you'll see this across many sports; just because you've got the big job, doesn't make you a big name. And just because you achieved things as a number 2 or number 3, doesn't mean you're instantly a well-respected number 1, nor does it instantly make you a 'big name'.

As far as I'm aware, the phrase "melbourne-esque" when describing a team's style of play, is not, at this moment in time, a complement in NRL circles.

Until Russell Crowe came in the were very much living off the past, now with the likes of Sam Burgess and Greg Inglis coming in along with King they are looking like being in with a chance going back to the glory days.

Deano should stick to them Wire obessed rants.

I understand why Wigan fans hold Madge in high regard. He took pretty much the same team that Noble had an turned them into champions in his first season. In his second season he's won the Challenge cup and still has a good chance of retaining their Super League crown.

But at the end of the day he quit at the first job opportunity that came his way from Australia and got out of the final year of his contract. Come mid October he won't be giving a second thought to Wigan in any way.

More comedy gold:

1. Wigan fans think anyone associated with the club is the best there is (step forward Dennis Moran, world class half-back....apparently )

2. Villas-Boas did not become a big name in British football the moment he signed as coach for Chelsea.

3. Souths are not "arguably the most famous and historic club in Australian RL".

4. In fact, Souths are like Swinton

I did not (I think) say that Warrington had the stupidest fans in RL. If I did, I apologise. I have no way of knowing whether they are. What I think I said was that Wire fans appear to be on a campaign to try to prove themselves the stupidest fans in RL. Sadly this thread is yet more evidence of that, though I'm coming to the conclusion that many of you don't actually believe most of the ridiculous things you post. (The Swinton/South comparison can't have been serious, surely? I don't recall 80,000 protesters marching on Salford Town Hall at any point...). But whether it's deliberate or not, its comedy gold, so thank you.

I don't think Ian Lenegan or the fans thought Madge would be here for very long. IL knew he was an ambitious guy and a great coach who wanted a big NRL club. It was a trade-off. The plan was that he gets to coach the biggest club in England and make a name for himself, but to do that he has to deliver success and quickly. It's that success that means he can move to the next stage in his career. He's done a great job for us and I don't think any Wigan fans have any complaints.

The 80,000 was a reference to the estimated number of people who joined the Souths protest march. Not all of them would have been Souths fans, some might not have even been RL fans. But that is how important the club is to many people in Sydney.

Just because you manage a big club, doesn't instantly make you a big name

Is Avram Grant a big name? Roy Hodgson?

Stick to your deep understanding of Sydney culture and history, grasping football clearly isn't you

Posted on 24.8.11, 11.43pm, on the Wigan Board.
'What is it about Wire fans? They seem to be on a campaign to prove (as if there was any doubt) that they are the stupidest fans in RL. I just wish they'd take their campaign somewhere else, and leave the Wigan Board alone.'

Please note the part in brackets, your words, not mine.

As for comedy gold, here's another one, 'Madge has taken coaching to a new level, let's hope no-one matches him, apart from Shaun Wane next season.' Do you mean taken coaching to a new level by the poor discipline, cheating, illegal tackling, holding down, whingeing at refs etc, or is there something else?

Wouldn't know where to start with Deano's comedy gold of past posts.

Theres just too many.

Ok maybe just one.