Quote: MattyB "I don't think we should get rid just yet (ie Lam should be extended another twelve months). That doesn't mean IL and KR shouldn't be identifiying potential replacements for 2022 season right now. My favourite would be Ian Watson of course but 1. He may prefer to want to stay at Salford. 2. Salford may throw big money at him to stay. 3. He will be a target for all other clubs in SL and maybe even the NRL too.
At the end of the day at this moment in time we are 2nd in the table, a top four place is looking likely (with hope). Do we have the calibre to make the GF and win it? It's doubtful but not impossible, which we could have said a couple of times under SW, however he could get an extra 10% on GF night and win it!
Watching Wigan these days feels very much 'Brian Noble' we aren't a million miles awaybut we need to be careful, it's as easier to go down the league as it is to go top. We are due to lose a lot of quality at the end of the season (as we do every year) and will néed to be smart when replacing. Smarter than we have been (Due diligence on George Burgess signing for instance) plus the re-signing of Clubb.
It was over four years ago that Wigan (KR if I remember correctly) stated that our forwards were mobile but too small and we needed to change that. Have we really? How many times we only make 10-30 metres out from our own try line in five plays?
Interesting times ahead. Will IL spend to the cap for next season knowing we may not start the season with crowds or even season ticket sales?'"
OK, so I made this post over five weeks ago. Where do I stand now and what's changed if anything?
So I still stand by my comments that Lam should be given a contract extension, that's probably already been agreed. For how long? I reckon two years, I think successfully guiding us to the top of the table has secured a longer deal.
Re: Watson, obviously that's off now. Didn't expect that to happen.
I will hold my hands up, I didnt expect us to finish the season top of the league (albeit a few games early) that was an unexpected bonus. I do think the team in the last five weeks have upped the intensity (especially in defence). We've let one try in three games which is tremendous stuff going into the GF. That's up there with the best defence we got from Waney.
The forwards are making more metres and we are flinging the ball wide to the fringes with ease. The only thing letting us down is our kicking game still,will need to be on form next Friday, turn them round and make them come from deep.
Oh, fair play to IL for the recent signings (even though he's announced that we will be going forward with a smaller squad).
