The line about disciplined and high performing sounds a bit one sided. I'd imagine the discipline referred to is being in at nine, working 'til five, following the drills and structure passed down to the under 19s from the first team, not telling teenagers great stories of how you've won practically everything in your career (and often more than once) when perhaps only giving 95% in preparation.

To anyone who knows some of the individuals involved at the club, its clear that Long has a different mentality to his work and sport than the likes of Wane and Harris, both of whom could be deemed dour in comparison.

Long has all the playing experience, plenty of respect from peers and just requires some more coaching experience under different head coaches to become a terrific coach. He may need a little more maturity but again, anyone who knows him knows he is no longer the complete tool he was.

That takes me back to my school days where we'd get certain teachers telling us stories rather than teaching. I am sure everyone has tried that one on and realises later in life you learned naff all as a result.

It may also be entertaining at U12 level but I'd hazard a guess there are a few of the junior side who are as focused as Shaun Edwards was when he was a kid and so expect to follow the same regime as the 1st team (which is I believe how WIgan do things).



So he should never have been employed if that is the case IMO.



Respect from peers? Are you sure? I am sure they recognise his talent but that isn't the same as respect. And if he needs a little more maturity at his age meaning he wasn't prepared for the structure at Wigan then when is he going to stop being a tool? He just got a top job in RL, left it and his character has been called into question yet again by that press release IMO. It's just par for the course with him.

Which of Longys mates is getting married?

DaveO, I think we're saying the same thing in the first two paragraphs.

There must have been some respect from his peers or he simply wouldn't have been considered for the post, "a top job in RL".....or was the appointment simply poor judgement from the club? Or was the case that the club still believed he was unprofessional or unreliable but overlooked that in order to tap into his experience, ideas and philosophy? Either way, the club must take some blame for the appointment and subsequent, rapid turnaround

There is also a big jump between needing a bit more maturity and perhaps not being ready for the structure or regime at Wigan to not being able to stop being a tool. Just because an employee and employer aren't fully in tune with some of their practices and working methods, it doesn't make the employee a complete tool. He may have had a little more flexibility at Salford but that doesn't mean he is wholly unreliable just because the regime at Wigan may be stricter. One could argue that the potential for improvement at Salford is/was greater than at Wigan and perhaps he was found out....but then why include "highly skilled and competent coach" within the statement?

And from the club's statement, I'm not sure Long left the club, more that he was pushed (notwithstanding the reasons behind it). His character is called into question by that press release but surely that's the aim of the wording within it? No doubt the club and its marketing team realise that to have the first word on the matter is a good way of masking their error in employing him in the first place. You either believe the statement or you don't....it seems discriminatory to be choosy about which parts are accurate or at least based in fact.

Its easy to say its all Long's fault and throw in "par for the course". He wasn't however asked to leave St Helens, Hull, Salford.....

So whos stag do did Longy go on to get sacked?

Let's be honest, that was a bloody miracle.

so who can confirm he got sacked for ringing in sick when he was actually out on a stag do?

WE UNDERSTAND THE JOKE IT WASN'T FUNNY THE FIRST TWO TIMES

Why would anybody pull a stunt like that at the expense of a job at Wigan? Its his home club, theres an upcoming cup semi, fighting for top spot and in with a good chance to win the grand final, some people dont know theyre born...

Heard yesterday that he's taken over the lease on a town centre licensed premises.
Good to know he's found his niche.