Lam has two acid tests coming up now (two if he passes the first one) and they’ll tell us a lot about him as a coach. I must admit I thought last night was pretty worrying at points. The effort, desire, energy and spirit looks great and it has done pretty much all season but I still don’t see much of a game plan outside giving it to Hastings and French and hoping for the best. One change Lam does deserve a lot of credit for is that Hastings is now clearly running the show regards kicking and taking us around the park. It’s improved both his and Leuluai’s games. Tommy looks much more of a threat with the ball now.

The only thing I don't quite get is we have looked good at times throughout the season so I'm not sure why he doesn't seem to be getting credit for that. Pre lockdown we were the best side in the comp finishing top. Since the return we have had some good part performances building to being at our best at the business end of the season. The last 4 games have been excellent (I'm counting last night because of the circumstances and it following the bruising encounter against Saints) again finishing top.

No team has done better. No coach has done better. All, unsurprisingly this season, have been inconsistent.

We were top prior to lockdown, but I wouldn't say we played well aside from maybe at Huddersfield, but that was only once Sezer went in the bin.

We have probably put in around 5 strong 80 min performances all season.

Granted none of that matters if we come good at the business end, which hopefully we do.

Maybe so, but who was better pre lockdown? The "brilliant" Saints?
The simple fact is we were the best team pre lockdown. We are the best team post lockdown. I'm not sure what else he needs to do.

Incidentally the Wire, Salford, Saints and then last night to win the trophy is the best run of games any team has put together this season. Just food for thought.

Yeah, a month of good performances seem to have rewritten most people's memories of how bad we've been for most of the last two seasons.

Hardly. We were scrappy last season but I would argue with good reason. This season we have been the best side. You have to have perspective. I'll agree your point if you can tell me who has been better this season. I'll even accept if you can offer a single team who has been more consistent.

I agree we need to make it count going into to the final games of the season mate. Anything less than a final (anything can happen in a final so I'm not going to say "win"icon_wink.gif will still put doubts over his tenure.

I'm inclined to put less emphasis on last season though. It's just my opinion but I always felt he was on a hiding to nothing from the moment Edwards decided to play silly buggers. Probably even before that to be truthful.

This season it doesn't really hold true. The loss in the semi was poor but it was in horrendous conditions which even Agar admitted was a defining point. Since then, in the 3 games that "mattered" (Wire, Saints and to win the LLS) he's come good.

Still with things to prove for sure but perhaps a bit of perspective wouldn't go amiss? It's unrelentingly negative from some posters on here (not you btw).

It's 50%. 11/22 who finished top won the grand final.

I think we're building but if we no show the play offs Lam is not in a great position. I suspect Hastings will re-sign so next year we will have a very good squad. we need to get the most out of it. At the moment Lam is looking good but he needs a very good showing in the play offs to cement his place i think.

Fair point.

I still think even if we crash and burn in the play offs, Lam will be here in 2021. I can’t see IL getting rid to be perfectly honest. He’s delivered a ‘minor’ trophy and has been backed with signing players for 2021.

For those who enjoy a little bit of nostalgia...

WANE OUT!!

Just reading the game thread on redwee, my god there aint half some pathetic one eyed nonsense posted on that board. always good for a giggle

Their bitterness makes marvellous reading.

Apparently Wigan are crap and only them and Wire are any good, somehow completely overlooking the fact that we finished above both of them, beating both in the process! In fact neither has beaten us at all this year (although Saints did beat our kids so I guess that makes them better than us in Redvee world!)

Aye - congrats Wigan. Always a good achievement and it certainly looks like the easier route to the final.

Fair play to Lam for turning things around - now can he win a knock out game and put the last few semis to bed? I fancy he will and I coudn't choose between Wigan, Wire or Saints as faves for the title.