2 games for Noble to save his job?

Quote: Deano G "The problem isn't just the coach (solid but no superstar IMO) or the players (mainly mediocre, but so, unfortunately, are the vast bulk of players in the Sooper Dooper League these days).

The issues for me stem from a general malaise at the club (which has now infected the supporters - see the "Lethargy" thread).

Standards have dropped across the board. In all areas, whether its fitness, conditioning, match preparation (do we practice any set plays?), mental approach, tactics, coaching, scouting, team selection, leadership, commitment on the field etc etc Wigan simply aren't achieving (or even aspiring to) the highest standards.

What really made Wigan no.1 in the glory era wasn't the signing of all the best players in RL on megabucks, as some muppets would have you believe.

What really made Wigan great was the system. A Wigan system that took lesser lights like Neil Cowie from Rochdale and turned them into class players. When that system got hold of a legend like Gene Miles, considered in Oz to be a spent force, it revitalised him and got him to the point where he forged with Offiah the greatest centre-wing combination that modern RL has ever seen.

Likewise with Tuigamala, who arrived with a massive reputation in RU but despite his star status was made to remodel his bloated physique and became a superb athlete and one of the most physically powerful runners the game has ever seen.

That system was based on a pursuit of excellence, a refusal to accept second best. The vision for that came from ML, who set out to build the greatest side in the world, always talked in those terms and made that dream a reality. He brought in and encouraged the development of players who were utterly uncompromising in their own standards and what they expected of team mates, men like Edwards, Hanley, Bell and in later years Robinson and Farrell. The backroom set up was deliberately modelled on the best Australian and other world leading sports training and treatment ideas. The whole club was geared up to be the best.

What we really need is for IL to set the tone. He needs to start talking in terms of Wigan regaining its position as the greatest RL side and getting people into the club who share that vision and will work to make it happen.

We have unrivalled player resources in the local area, the most famous name in RL to attract star players and great facilities.

If he does not show the ambition needed and set the most demanding of standards and ensure they are met in all areas then we can forget ever closing the gap on Stains and Leeds, let alone regaining our position as the top side.

The fact that Stains and Leeds and SL as a whole have gone backwards in terms of quality in recent years makes Wigan's failure all the more shameful.'"

I agree with much of this post except to say I think Noble is responsible for the symptoms we see.

He has brought his people in the backroom staff in key positions, as usual its a mates mentality regardless of how good they can be.

Its very rare that a top coach recruits his mates to his staff.