I know Wigan have been ridiculously inconsistent this season - even by the last few years standards but i don't think the dramatic levels of doom and gloom on here are 100% warrented
Let me just make clear that i mean that based on this season alone - i know you all want to be were you where in the early 90's, and why not, christ every rugby fan wants their team to be like that Wigan side!
What i mean is there shouldn't have been mass expectation of a return to dominance for this season based on:
1. The team only really performed in the play offs in 2008 (performed pretty well it has to be said)
2. You have lost star man and lynchpin Barrett, who has never been replaced (Tomkins is / will be a gem but it was always too early to go with him all year)
3. Other signings for 2009 were hardly earth shattering merely like for like replacements
4. Noble was still in the hot seat.
Any honest Wigan fan who thought this year would be back to anything like the glory days was in dreamland.
Getting shut of BS Brian and removing the contracted players who have been under-performing is a slow process in the days of the SC, you can't just sack them and pay them off which would have given you a faster turnaround.
This season while naggingly frustrating:
1. A couple of results / performances have shown that the core of a very good team is there for all to see.
2. The introduction of Ainscough & Tomkins which has been on the whole hugely positive
3. Hock and O'Loughlin showing they need to be signed up for life as they appear to have old school Wigan mentality.
4. On its day your best 13 can beat anyone - (which can't be said of some of the others in the top
Of your last 10 games i would expect at least 5 or 6 wins but 7 or 8 wouldn't shock me and I wouldn't be surprised to see Wigan at Wembley & make the third week of the play offs again.
I know you have endured this for the last 2 or 3 seasons but as mentioned before in the cap era changes are much slower, a player on £x per year isn't going to sign for another club on £x less 20% just because Wigan want rid
While this isn't "good enough" long term, it would not be a terrible season given the less than glowing prospects in February and after the first 5 or 6 games, its also not a bad place to start from for 2010 IF changes are planned from the top down (which does look to be the case) and the life it breathes into Wigan will make a huge difference going forward in to 2010.
Oh yes.
