Not like that month wasn't significant, though. Five wins out of five and a rapid ascent from the relegation fight to the top four.

I know where you're coming from, however. I'm sure you'd have preferred Wigan to be coachless and adrift rather than suddenly breathing down your necks.

Honestly...
I love it when things go pear shape at Wigan and Saints for the banter as you do us...God knows Wire fans have suffered that longer than either throughout periods...but it's relatively short lived amusement...

Whereas beating your dear neighbours while they are in top form has a much greater buzz.

So no I prefer ruddered Wigan and settled side....S Wane and Sam T were always guilty pleasures for me.

Wane s

hould have stayed

It's not the coach it's:

The constant drain of talent on an annual basis.

Replacements coming in from lower SL clubs/championship clubs.

A steady stream of mid-long term injuries.

.

I agree completely with that. It looks like IL is running the club on the cheap on the outside. I’m certain there is a reason why, likely we’re spending more or just below what we’re bringing in. And if that’s the case, on what?

There seems to have been massive investment off the field to strengthen the infrastructure of the club but we’re crying out for a major upgrade in the 1st team squad. Last night against Saints typified what Lam is up against. Whilst Smithies and Partington were very good in their spells, they only had the likes of Navarette, Isa, Hankinson around them for support. We’re absolutely desperate for at least 2 props.

Agreed completely. It’s a balancing act between upgrading the infrastructure whilst also steadily upgrading the playing squad, something which every club ought to be doing every season to stay competitive. I darent say the scales tipped over to infrastructure rather than playing squad in recent seasons which undoubtedly did pay off - at the time.

I wonder if we’ve rested on our laurels because of the success we had under SW and overlooked the playing squad (to an extent) in favour of upgrading off the field. That’s pure speculation and admittedly I have no idea what goes on or is going on behind the scenes at Wigan but it seems to me to be a plausible explanation.

I’d say you’re onto something,the last few years the club has only had to look to Orrell and the academy for an almost ready made player,at present Smithies aside the well has perhaps dried up certainly in the positions that need addressing.

As you say mere speculation of course

I’m pleased the club is investing in the infrastructure to be honest, you can’t build a house on sand and hopefully we’ll have the foundation for success for years to come.
Just my opinion but I’d say the club had a recruitment and retention policy that was highly successful for 10 years. We brought home grown talent through to the first team whilst allowing top players to leave when the opted to do so. That, supported by players returning and project signings took us to great success with repeated finals and trophies in the cabinet. That meant that nobody can really argue that the policy wasn’t working.

The problem is that if you stretch an elastic band far enough, it will eventually snap. I’d say we’re at that snapping point and we desperately need to release the pressure and bring in some real quality, especially in the forwards.

What’s the deal we have for renting Robin Park? Are we still selling Orrell? If so all this ‘investment’ off the field means we’ll own less assets than we do now. Not really sure how selling a few extra pies and merchandise will make us cash rich going forward.

My understanding was that we bought Robin Park.