The Great escape. Win over salford. Finishing 8th. (Am i getting ahead of myself? xD)

Ian lenegan coming in

On the playing front there are two significant events IMO:

1. Appointing Noble in 2006 along with Fielden and Dobson
2. Getting rid of Noble at the end of 2009 and the appointment of not only of MM but Shaun Wane for 2010

The appointment of Noble along with Fielden and Dobson arriving in 2006 undoubtedly saved us from relegation but the team stagnated for the next three seasons and he overstayed his welcome IMO.

Administratively

1. IL taking over and his subsequent diplomacy seems to have got rid of much of the antagonism Wigan seemed top generate in the ranks of the RFL.
1. The deal DW gave IL which included Orrell has probably helped the coaching staff enormously. Orrell is hugely important IMO.
2. Mick Hogan. He did a lot to improve the relationship the fans have with the club. Pity he is no longer here.

Dave

So, are we suggesting here that generosity from DW is also a factor?

Genuine question, because I'd imagine that IL probably had to bargain quite hard for this deal you mention. It may be that DW has been generous to us, but he's not renowned for giving things away.

From the way you worded it, it doesn't seem to be giving IL much credit for what was surely a very key development in our recovery.

At the time IL publicly stated what a good deal DW given him IIRC. That along with the generous lease terms on the DW are something DW didn't have to agree to. IMO DW did us a big favour in letting the club get hold of Orrell.

Opposition fans go on about us not owning the ground but IMO we have a very good set up as we do own Orrell and have very good terms on the lease to the DW. DW himself is few peoples cup of tea but hard nosed business man or not, he agreed to sell up on very generous terms.

Dave

Sorry, but I can't accept that most of the credit should go one way.

I'm reliably informed that Whelan is still, at heart, a Wigan fan, and that he wanted the club to prosper when he sold it on. But negotiating with a notoriously tough businessman like him can never be so straightforward a matter. You make it sound as if they just walked into a room and shook hands because the terms were so staggeringly generous. Merely agreeing a price for Wigan, I'd imagine, would take some intense discussion.

But that aside, I still think IL deserves a bit more credit for where we are now. To just congratulate him for showing 'diplomatic skills with the RFL' sounds a bit mealey-mouthed to me.