Having read a tonne of bile this year on this forum, let's hope 2014 brings a more harmonious cherry and white forum.

Let's accept SW is a great coach
Let's accept that he makes mistakes, but is the best man for the job and IMO is a better coach than MM.
Let's accept IL is a great chairman
let's accept he makes mistakes.

Together as a united fan group, we are stronger. Let's make 2014 a year were we can all (well mostly) be united behind the club and who knows what can be achieved??? The treble ??

I'd like to thank many of the posters on here, who I have genuinely had the pleasure of reading their opinions, comments and jokes.

2013 .. The year of the Wigan warriors

Watching it again on Sky shows the glaring difference in the 2 coaches. The smirk on Smiths face after Wired 3rd try said he knew it was already won. Wire bombed a 4th after a decent move ended in a knock on. Smith arrogantly applauded the move as if to say , "no worries, theres plenty more where that came from
Wane on the other hand remained focused. Did he applaud the move when josh knocked on? For anyone who cant lip read , he smacked the rail in front of him shouted "ffs Josh" in an angry manner.
Only after Pats walk in did he allow himself a smile.
Arrogance v Passionate ...you decide which you prefer.

A better coach then MM, what a debating point that is! He's achieved something MM didn't but could he have done it had he followed Noble and not Maguire himself?

He's certainly proved his doubters wrong and confirmed what a good coach he is. He certainly thinks more long term then Maguire did and doesn't just play for the moment but give youngsters chances to build them for future seasons.

My hunch is he couldn't have achieved quite what he has if Maguire hasn't been here first but he's definitely been the correct choice to take forward his work.

I'd go a long with this. I think Madge brought the "new broom" that was needed at that time. It was imperative that his successor was his assistant and it was very much a case of passing on the baton. It was then up to SW to run with it; and there's the thing. He was expected to drop it an fail, but a League Leaders Shield, Challenge Cup and Grand Final Title illustrate the guys credentials. You can throw into that mix the blooding of the youngsters which this year has been a great success and has laid foundations for the coming years.

I don't pretend to stand anywhere! Like you, I can see the immense good that IL has brought with him as well as feeling that he is wrong in his limp attitude to contracts. Like you, I am delighted by SWs successes after being concerned when he initially got the job. Where have I criticised SW?
I am irritated equally by those who whine over nothing as much as those that never complain no matter what. None of this makes you a happy clapper nor me a doom monger.
As for your last paragraph, the less said the better. How is mentioning those of an overly positive disposition in any way less acceptable than mentioning those with a clear anti IL agenda?

Sorry but none of the above makes you a happy clapper, it's far too balanced and perceptive
Now, if you happen to believe that Lee Mossop suddenly become a crap player when he bailed out of his contract......

I haven't referred to the mental capacities of either camp. All I wanted to point out was the fact that Cruncher has himself been critical at times but took it upon himself to declare himself a happy clapper and to chastise the critics. He is nothing of the sort. He just finds the "anti" camp more irritating than the overly "pro" camp whereas I am damning of both.

This thread is getting a bit 'Lord of the Flies' for me, so before some of us start worshipping a pig's head on a stick (again!), take a look at this and remember why we all love this great club as much as we do and how much it means to our coach.



No happy clapping offence intended

If I were Wigan I'd be getting it done and selling it in the Grand Arcade shop.

Much better than the split shirt madness!

That is definitely something worth framing as a memento

Shaun joined Madge as assistant in 2010 then became head coach 2012.
That's four rugby seasons with three trophies to win each year, obviously over the four years twelve opportunities to win silverware.
In those four years, of the 12 available Wigan have won six trophies, LLS 2010 & 2012. C Cup 2011 & 2013 plus two Grand Finals 2010 and 2013.
Warrington have won three.
Leeds two.
Huddersfield one.
It's a results business for coaches and those six trophy wins in just four years are exceptional.

would be nice if the club offered it as a framed picture and the proceeds to joining Jack...

Exactly what I was thinking when I saw it earlier.

That would be a great keep sake.

Matty B, NickyKiss.......if you can get it sorted let me know, and surely it could raise a bit for JJ