As one of those who said that bringing MM in was a gamble. I will answer this.


It WAS a gamble. Fortunately, and happily, it is one that seems to be paying off atm.

HOWEVER. The SL is not decided in April, it is decided in September/October.

I really hope I can post here in October saying that the gamble paid off.

I agree. No point performing now if we don't come play off time. But we do look like a side capable of winning things now, despite many oh so nears we haven't looked like that in the last couple of years.

We shall see how things unfold.

I have to disagree somewhat with that statement.

The gamble of the untried (although highly recommended by the best in the business) coach has absolutely paid off already.

Regardless of whether or not we win a trophy (and especially whether or not we win the league), the team is now a cohesive unit, the fitness is improved beyond anything that Nobby could have dreamt of, every single player is brimming with confidence, we're playing a more expansive and attractive brand of rugby and scoring freely in most games, whilst at the same time, our defence is one of the meanest in the comp.

Add to that the fact that we seem to have our next coach in place already, we have a full fitness TEAM (rather than simply one conditioner for everyone) and a "General Manager" to ensure that teams at EVERY level get the same benefit.

MM has brought the same bunch of players (bar one) together as a TEAM (as opposed to a collection of individuals under Brian) and got them willing to die for each other on the pitch.

THAT is the difference to me, and I whole-heartedly applaud IL for listening to the advice of people deep inside the NRL who obviously saw something in MM that the rest of the rugby league world had yet to see.
If MM left tomorrow for any reason, I would feel confident that he has revolutionised our club to the point where the improvements would continue to benefit us for years to come.

All depends on what criteria you use doesn't it? If we win nothing this year, some can say that we might as well as stuck with Noble.

That's only if they hadn't watched a game all year.

The team are transformed beyond recognition in every department. Not only are they physically fitter, stronger and faster. The determination, ethos and mental toughness of the team is also massively improved from last year. I could go on about our new found creativity in attack and defensive organisation/effort but I don't want to labour the point.

We're a better team under the new coach than we were under the old coach.

It was the right decision.

End of.

100% Correct Pal.

xBrett Kennyx is a Saints troll..Ignore him.

Agreed, early days, but we are a club on the up, on and off the pitch, he sounded pleased as punch on radio interview post match with Trevor Hunt, hope he makes another appearance in the South Stand Bar on Monday, he will get plenty of handshakes.
Eric Pollard for ever.

It won't be long untill he has taken the club to some finals!

totally agree. I posted on the Mossop contract thread how refreshing it is to have long term succession planning at the heart of the club. Not even Mo's first spell had that level of professionalism and yet having heard IL on GMR last night and again on the way home after the match there can be no doubt the guy is a fan. Exciting times.

I could not agree more with this statement.

A gamble would have been appointing someone on a wing and a prayer. Maguire came with the highest recommendations, but only then after the club had done masses of due diligence on him. As you say, whatever happens for the remainder of this season, MM has already proved that, in thinking alone, he is streets ahead of what went before.

I really cannot understand how certain Wigan 'fans' still talk as if appointing him was some kind of risk. They're either kidding, they haven't got a clue, or they have another agenda altogether. I wonder which it is?

He is an anti Irish/Catholic bigot. It must kill him that the club is run by a Catholic St Pats mon and coached by someone with obvious Irish descent.

Another Easter Rising. Get in there Wigan

I'm hearing a few curious things about our pal tonight, but they are starting to make a strange kind of sense.

IL is getting an awful lot right for every individual thing he gets wrong.

As time goes on, that sort of ratio will continue to suit me fine.

What on earth are you on about?

I strongly suggest that you remove this post when you have sobered up.

Tbf I don't think I have an agenda against IL, I did start this topic btw, but I agree with BK in that there was an element of risk involved in giving MM the job.

No amount of due diligence can cover for everything. A good number 2 won't always make a good manager. Of course IL looked into every area of Madge, his history, personality, his thoughts on the game and roles of the players but there was still some risk regarding his ability to adapt to the top role. How will madge perform when, and we will, start to slide a little?

No agenda I can just see there was some risk involved.