Quote AJ="AJ"If we finish top next season but get knocked out in the play offs, will you be happy?'"
You keep asking this question - and it's actually quite mischievous. It's as though you're setting your stall out to not be impressed by the new guy, whoever he is, unless he wins us a trophy straight away.
I'll just be happier if we see a better-conditioned Wigan team, who are also better motivated, mentally stronger, much more composed, can do the basics quickly and efficiently, can cut out the indiscipline and unforced errors, can switch from defence to attack smoothly, have offensive patterns that put the opposition on the back foot, have a better kicking game etc etc.
This is not difficult, AJ. You must know in your heart of hearts that Wigan, on recent form - despite battling their way to two semi-finals - are not playing anything like as well as the top sides. Surely it's enough that we get to these semis, and the fans build up a colossal tide of excitement and expectation - and it's never reflected in the actual game? Surely that alone indicates that we have to look elsewhere for our chief motivator?
I honestly don't see how people can fault Lenagan for this. His statement in the Times was bang-on IMO. Five semis, four abject defeats and one reasoinably gallant defeat (which was a defeat nevertheless) is scant reward for the enthusiasm and loyalty the Wigan fans have shown in recent years. Sometimes, for the good of the overall operation, you have to make difficult and painful decisions. Yes, you're right - and I've said this several times myself - it will ultimately depend on who the new man is, but I don't see how IL's general line of thinking can be faulted.
Nobby said "the rugby gods weren't with us" - but the rugby gods don't exist. IL's view was more pragmatic. "This team is not playing as well as we think it can". Nobby has had nearly four years at Wigan - ample time to put this problem right. And though we've improved in many areas, which IL outlines, we're still not delivering the finished product. Regardless of whether or not you win trophies, the Wigan crowd has sufficient pedigree and experience to recognise the difference between a good team and an average team - and at present most of them are aware that they're watching the latter. I don't see what the chairman can do other than try to find someone who will change that.
Don't keep harping on about "how will you feel if we don't make a semi next year?". That's personal point scoring, which is rather shallow of you frankly. The team has to improve. Sitting around doing nothing will only lead to stagnation.
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