A coach lives or dies by his results. He has an idea in his mind of the way he wants the team to play, he has decided Matty Smith is a better option to get that than a young kid who has played a handful of first team games in the halves?

That is his job and why he is paid good money. If we are champions in five weeks he 100% picked the correct side if we aren't he might have questions to ask, but to say your going to give up your season ticket if he doesn't play Rocky is a bit OTT

Spot on. The coach has the right to pick the team that he wants. He will stand or fall by those decisions and if he gets it wrong often enough he will be gone. Personally I would have given Hampshire a few more games in recent weeks, particularly when Williams got those knocks to the head v Wire, but that's just my opinion.

Wasn't it Wayne Bennett who said "If you start listening to the fans it won't be long before you're sitting with them."

Philadelphia Eagles coach Joe Kuharich in 1967, but has been repeated by many since, including Bennett and John Monie, and IMHO very true.

Why would it be listening to the fans? Two people can have the same opinion you know.

The quote everyone is responding to was very OTT.

Despite having an up and down season, we're in pretty good shape at present. We left the Cup in awful circumstances, particularly given that the team who beat us went on to play like absolute chumps at Wembley. At one stage we couldn't win away from home for toffee. And yet now, at the business end, things look to have changed dramatically. On current form, the title is ours to lose. In that regard, having a real pop at Shaun Wane over of his management of a promising kid smacks a little bit of someone trying to find a reason to moan.

I too would consider it a big error to lose Ryan Hampshire, possibly an error akin to the loss of Sean Long and with much less reason. But we ought to remember that he's still a relatively untested youngster. Just how dramatic an issue is this? Moreover, I sincerley hope that Ryan himself doesn't read these forums, because some posters almost sound as if they're encouraging him to leave.

Cruncher I think that some of your comments are a response to my earlier posts so I would like to clarify a few points if I may.
Firstly believe it or not I am a SW fan and I applaud his determination to encourage the development of new blood via our youth system however, for me the potential diamond in that said system is used infrequently and when used is in a position that he obviously does not enjoy or display some basic requirements of the role.
We have lost Burgess and will lose Charnley for next season. Sarginson is also off and add to that Bowens retirement which leave our backs exceptionally exposed.
I work on the premise that no news is bad news therefore, assume that Hampshire will also be exiting.
How many backs have we got left?
We have tried to get Carney but I believe he is off to Hull. I know bugger all about NRL so haven't got a clue who we could sign from there and as for SL who would we like to sign even if we could?
I currently despair at our apparent ineptitude in recruiting and retaining backs of any quality. You may consider that a moan I consider it a fundamental requirement.
I am not a fly by night but neither am I a one eyed spectator who accepts a modicum of improvement as everything is rosy in the garden.
I personally want to aspire to perfection and hopefully achieve excellence. Come on Rouges who is that quoted from?
Maybe I am being too pessimistic or perhaps I'm being pragmatic?
You describe our season as up and down I would describe the majority as bland.
I want pace with calculated risk not a 2 and 5 making hard yards whilst a front row pick their noses and scratch their s.
I'm hard to please? yep I am.
Currently we have probably the best facilities, youth system and infrastructure in SL therefore my expectations are set on these premises.
Losing Hampshire in itself will have no impact on the current season or maybe even next season what it will for me concur is that we can't retain quality or recruit quality which longer term is worrying.
Hey I hope your optimism is absolutely is spot and I am being an owd maudering fart who should accept the glow of today and ignore my impending chill of tomorrow

I will cancel my season ticket when Hampshire leaves but will just attend the must see Saints Wire and Leeds matches.
I did the same when when we sold John Burke to Workington all those years ago and obviously returned to the fold eventually!
Sometimes a point of principle is more important but even a man of principle like myself eventually yields to the pull of the cherry and whites!
I just don't think we must support the club at all costs like some young easily led puppy. It is total shoite and IL and Co need to know that some of us think like this.
I just get so peeved off with this rough tough forwards backs are soft shoite . Forwards get you to finals invariably backs win you the finals.
As I said I seek perfection but will gladly accept excellence.

Didn't IA just make a flippant remark to state his annoyance? He's getting hammered over this one!

Hammered? Just looks like people giving their opinions.....

How hard have we tried?
Money is the number one consideration but more playing time is pretty damn close.
What is the point of playing Smith and Williams tonight? Can anyone make even an inkling of a case to justify it? I await the deafening silence.
IL caanot force the lad to sign but his coaching staff are making it almost impossible for Hampshire to sign.
Rouges let's see how good Tomkins is when he has no three quarters to play with. Also if Tomkins had signed for Wire for more money well that's life and you bat on. If we continue to lose backs at the current rate and put up with 2 back rowers playing centre and use Wingers as battering rams then that's another matter. When was the last time our right winger actually received a pass with any resemblance of an opportunity?

Absolutely correct.
I have my views which obviously differ with majority but that doesn't mean I'm wrong or that other people's views are a nonsense. It's just opinions.

I would say that at this stage of the season, keeping a consistent team is vital. Too late to chop and change so as to suit red in the face fans..