I'm hoping the chairmen hasn't listened to arm chair experts on here. it seems strange to me that they were both open about us working towards 2010 yet one of them leaves before the end of the project.

We've just got rid of a coach who in the last 8 years has steered his teams to 5 granf finals and 3 semis. That's more than impressive so I'm expecting him to be replaced with someone better and proven. Like that is going to happen.

Thanks Brian, if nothing else you deserved more respect than you got.

I'm thankful to Nobby for the job he did in the context of where we were when he took over - he's been effective in producing a respectable side from a shambles. But IL has got this decision spot on - the squad has a lot more potential than the consistency of performances, there is just no evidence that Noble could take them any further than the persistant semi final failures. Friday was a match Wigan could have and even should have won - but the same old lack of ideas in attack or even an overall gameplan was apparent yet again. Noble despite his success with Bradford is a tactically limited coach and a cliche merchant as far as motivation is concerned - he's been found out as the game has evolved and Wigan look far too one dimensional with an over-reliance upon individuals to provide the creative spark amongst the five drives and a kick monotony.

The signs have been appearing this season that change was needed - fans are generally the best indicator and aside from the promotion games (Leeds / London) - home attendances seem to be falling. A lot of that has to do with Noble's boring brand of rugby, an appearance of a lack of motivation from some of the players during his tenure and his unwillingness to pick players based on form rather than reputation.

To move forward under a new coach, we might take a few steps back while we find the new attacking identity, but I for one would welcome that change if we can start playing exciting rugby that plays to the strengths of the players in the squad rather than trying to fit into the Noble system. Long term having patience will pay dividends if we get the right coach - I believe Maguire to be that man with Wane to assist.

I await the answer to this with deep interest.

I doubt you'll get one.

So do I.

I watched the game again ans watched Noble's statement (if you will). I felt desperately sorry for him, it's obvious he loved coming to Wigan and was dedicated to making the club a success.

I do have the burning question in my mind "What if? What if he'd be kept on for one more year?"

Would we be in the same position. Maybe we would maybe we wouldn't. Despite that I still feel he had to go.

Brian you stabilized our great club and without you we would probably be a Championship team. Thankyou for all you have done and I wish you the very best for thr future.

Thought it was a nice touch by Graham giving him a hug at the end.

Course you did, your a Saints fan. Does Graham even know Noble? Nobby was probably thinking "why is there a ginger clinging to me? Can someone remove him?"

Im sure he was actually thinking..."sigh, if only I had you at my disposal all these years instead of my spinless pack, id still be in a job now"

He can leave with his head held high with the job he did - not many Wigan coaches can say that, especially if they failed to deliver a trophy during their tenure. However its a sad marker of how far we had fallen in 2006 that we now consider some measure of success in the Wigan job to be a couple of decent cup runs and inconsistent regular seasons / semi final losses in the playoffs three times running.

Seconded.