Quote CAM.="CAM."What about off the field then? Average attendance in 2007 was significantly more than 2009, then there's the Hock thing, the whole debale last year after the Hudds match and now "IL vs Noble".'"
Well off the field I would give most of the credit to the fantastic work the marketing team have done this season. The whole innovative ideas of "The Big One" and the Heinz link up for the Harlequins game was a fantastic idea. One problem that we have had and rugby league has in general is the complete lack of ability to market it's big games. Mick Hogan and the marketing staff have done a brilliant job.
Numerous factors have to be taken into account when you mention attendance. As someone else has pointed out the global recession has had a major impact on everyone and has affected every business in Europe in some form.
But looking more into the two seasons you mention in 2007 - we played Warrington as our first home game. Why is this a factor? Well simply our first game of the season tends to attract a bigger attendance against whoever opponent than it would in a regular super league match. The fact the game was against a local rival who bring a decent away support also has a significant impact on the overall average attendance. The attendance that year against Warrington was 21K whereas this year it was Wakefield with an attendance of 14K. Furthermore in 2007 we played Saints at home twice with one also being the last game of the season to make the play offs. Now usually the last game of the season also brings in a bigger attendance against any opponent than it would a regular super league match because it is the last game of the regular season till February the following year but that year it also had the added spice of us making the play offs. I also presume I don't need to explain the significance of playing Saints twice in one season at home compared to once this season has on the overall attendance?
So although our overall average attendance has dropped it has not been through poor marketing or lack of support. Just certain significant factors in the fixtures and who we play have had a slight affect on the overall average. It is hardly a significant drop. Whereas you think we have problems off the field I think it is another one of our strengths but some of it is not to Ian Lenagan's credit (Not his job) it is done to the credit of our marketing team. We have identified the lack of young supporters as a problem and so have marketed our season tickets to them. £26 is it in the south stand? Not to mention the rugby camps we have put on which rewards youngsters for paying £35 for signing up with a free season ticket! Fantastic offers from Wigan and fantastic value for money for a season ticket.
The way the club is marketing itself off the field is one of our biggest strengths. The credit is down to the hard work of the marketing team. If people credit Mick Hogan then I argue he was an Ian Lenagan appointment.
The Gareth Hock saga was a disappointing one for the club but how Ian Lenagan can be blamed is beyond me. You have a very 'unique' way of thinking if you blame him. The club has made two official statements on the matter which for me is the end of it.
Ian Lenagan and Brian Noble's relationship is up in the air. 'The Times' points out that the two have a different opinion on the way the game went last night but doesn't everybody? No-one's two opinions will be the same and everyone will have their own thoughts on the match. Ian Lenagan and Brian Noble are no different. In fact it is good to listen to other peoples viewpoints and opinions because it can open your eyes to new things that you might not have thought about before. The way the coaching situation has been left is up for debate on another thread. At the end of the day Brian Noble has left Wigan. NOT sacked. This is the right move IMO for many reasons which I will leave on another thread.
Off the field I think the club is better run than the previous management. I think Ian Lenagan encourages a lot more input from fans than the previous management did and (I thought) has a much better relationship with fans from the fans forums. The club was in apparent turmoil before Ian Lenagan took over and behind the scenes I think he has done a lot to rectify previous management errors. It is still a work in progress but so far I think we are on the right track.
Say what you like about Ian Lenagan but it amazes me how far some people will go to criticise someone who is keeping this club afloat who without his financial input we would not be running. When I hear Ian Lenagan speak he speaks with so much passion about the club and clearly has the desire to take us to the top. He talks a lot of sense IMO and I am proud that he represents our club and I whole heartily believe that he is the man to take this club forward.
Did IL bone your sister or something? This kind of unwarranted hatred is just laughable. IMO IL has done the right thing in gettin rid of Noble. He was never going to win us anything. We need a new coach who can bring in some new ideas. We've always looked toothless in attack under Noble, hopefully a new coach can get us a bit more organised and ruthless near the line
