I think we've been here before. Sorry about the condescension.

I think it should be enough to compete for the top prizes, as luck plays a part in the outcome to a degree that you can't control. Shaun Wane can't be culpable for Silverwood/Bentham not seeing a knock on. That was the difference between the two teams. It was a close game that came down to refereeing interpretation. Why should SW carry the can for that? I'm not sure he can be blamed for the Ben Flower incident either.

I'm not happy losing finals, who is? But I have to accept that a coach can only control certain things and therefore shouldn't lose his job over it. I'm expecting the treble next year. I'm sure SW is too. Anything less will be a disappointment. But unless we get knocked out of the cup early and don't make the top 4, he sees out his contract for me.

We both want the same for Wigan. I think changing the coach will make us go backwards and undo much of Waneys good work. We are in a strong position right now and favourites for everything next season.

The biggest difference between Leeds and ourselves is experience. Leeds have had the Sinfield/McGuire/Peacock/Burrows base to the team and that level of experience and game management has been able to get them over the line in tight games (very tight games at times especially this season)- Wigan have lacked that core over the last few years. Even the dominant Bradford and Saints teams in recent times have always had that experienced long term core- Wigan are getting closer to having that, assuming we can keep the current squad together - having Sam back is a big bonus as that will up the experience level considerably.

Wane is not a perfect coach (and having to replace players who keep leaving through no fault of his does not help) but I honestly cannot see anyone who could perform better, McDermot in many ways has had it easy at Leeds with the experienced players on the pitch - it will be interesting to see how he copes next season with the players leaving that will be a test of his coaching ability.

What Wigan are seriously in need of is a settled squad for a season or two.....

FWIW I agree. I said a few pages earlier that not all of this rests at the feet of Wane.

The player turnover at the club has been ridiculous. We've had teams equal to the Leeds side on Friday but we've not kept them together.

That being said I don't think Wane has nothing to do with player signings. I think some of his choices have been questionable I.e Goulding being replaced etc.

Got to say I've enjoyed this thread, such a break from the usual on here. I've already given my qualified support to SW earlier and have to say that nothing has changed for me. We just got pipped in an epic encounter by a special team in Leeds. Over the season, I believe we've played them 5 times and the aggregate score in +4 to Leeds? Given their squad age relative to ours we certainly have more to look forward to IMO. I accept the frustration in constantly looking forward but what else can we do?
As has been said it is vital that we hold onto the majority of our players. The more experience this group gets the better they will be for it and the better likelihood of the trophy wins we all want. However, if we keep getting to the GF and keep losing out IL will be faced with a tough decision re his coach. Does he accept that we are right up there and unlucky not to cross the line or does he say enough is enough?

This is a good point. Brian Mac himself has often spoke about how the group effectively manages itself. Next season will be a big test for him to see how he copes with what Shaun Wane has had to cope with every season of his tenure.

Brian mac isn't coach of the year. He's facilitator of the year. He's facilitated the good play of the players, not coached it. They have coached themselves.

Biggest? Mate, there's nowt between us. The only difference I could see was a knock on that could have gone either way. Wane's a good coach, not perfect but there isn't one that is. By my reckoning, Leeds' best chance of a seamless transition would be if Wigan were to ditch him.

All of which shouldn't be underestimated. I like Brian Mac, he speaks well after the game, giving credit to the opposition when it is due. He has managed Hardaker well and got the best out of him, when other coaches may have given up. He trusts his senior players and they have repaid that trust.

Next season will be really interesting. How will he replace Sinfield? I for one, wouldn't think there is much left in McGuire's tank, so Sutcliffe will need to step up, which he showed signs of doing this year. Will Galloway be anywhere near as good as Peacock? I doubt it, though he has some pedigree. Will Cuthbertson be as effective? Or will sides counter him? Will the replacement hooker be of sufficient quality, because Aiton was very good this year and may be an even bigger loss for the team.

You'll get nowhere fast on here with posts like that

O'Loughlin/McIlorum/Smith/Bowen is a pretty experienced long-term core. They should know how to manage games by now.

One's always injured, one's retired, one spends half the game on the bench and one's Matty Smith. We're doomed!

O'Loughlin as said that he as no regrets what so ever going for the two points.

Well having read the entire thread I side with Grimmy and Sgt Pepper.

I don't think Wane can hide behind the statistics for much longer and his Wigan career is starting to resemble that of Noble. Noble could do no wrong for at least two years because he saved us from relegation and Wane is now living off the back of doing the double.

This season has been pretty dire in many respects. The away form has been shocking and cost us the LLS. A big contribution to that was problems with goal kicking which have been staring Wane in the face for two seasons. Only at the end does he give the job to Bowen. Who has now left so we have the same problem again.

Despite the home record some of the home performances have been less than convincing to put it mildly (Salford was one of the worst games I have ever seen).

Two seasons going out of the CC in the manner we did is very poor. Against HKR Wane made changes to the side and they looked like strangers and against Cas the season before Wane was out coached.

He chose to go into the season with one injured and two Rookie centres which backfired. It was by more luck than judgement we ended up with Bateman and Gildard there.

Smith has been poor but gets picked every week. Problems of leadership on the pitch have not been addressed. According to Wane himself we have been guilty of "dumb"play numerous times but we still keep playing "dumb" when it matters (CC v HKR and now v Leeds).

He also subs by the clock and can't fail to see when Micky Mac goes off we drop in intensity but he still keeps doing it. Why on earth he didn't play him for the full 80 in the GF I do not know.

Wane may have to deal with the squad he is given (though I not convinced he has no say in it) but there are long standing issues with the way the team plays that have not been addressed. I think a different coach would get more out of this squad than Wane manages in the same way Madge turned virtually the same team Noble had around when he took over.