Congratulations Adrian Lam.

Well deserved. A team that is improving in every department under his leadership in my opinion. We probably and rightfully go into the Final as underdogs but the way he has us playing who knows?

Had to deal with the Edwards situation in season 1 and Covid in year too still players are improving and our style of play is more fan friendly which was a big part of his initial remit.

I hope he is rewarded with a 2 year deal in the coming weeks as I think he is building a great squad.

Huge congratulations from me. Makes it more special as it was voted for by his peers. He’s had to deal with a lot of adversity after the Edwards fiasco, a shocking injury toll last year and along with everyone else a global pandemic.

Well done Lammy, you have done both the club and town proud!

Great player for us and now proving that is also a good coach in a difficult and exceptional season.

Now that new contract signed as the majority of supporters are behind you.

Well done, Lam. I can see improvement in a number of players, especially Powell who has been a revelation!
I like the fact that Wigan is the team that makes most passes. I like to be entertained.

I actually said on here right at the beginning of his tenure that I thought he was the right man for the job but we had such a distinctly average (being kind) season last year that I lost that conviction.

I think this year has been excellent. CC semi aside I think we've performed really well in trying circumstances building and improving as the season got to the business end. We're one game away from being champions and, whatever happens Friday, I think he's shown enough to suggest we'll be a real force next year.

Well done coach.

No real complaints on this award. I think a case can be made for Watson and Agar also.

Does it go off just Super League or the coaches' performance as a whole? Reason I ask is if you take CC into account I'd go for Watson for taking Salford to another final despite losing important parts of his previous over-performing squad, but obviously 9th out of 11 in SL is nothing to shout about.

After Watson I'd go Agar - Leeds had a couple of years outside the play offs following losing all their top players at once, he has now delivered on the rebuilding job by winning the challenge cup and taking them back into the play offs. All without many stars IMO.

Lam - 3rd for me. Not got the same adversity as the two above as he has more stars to work with and a brilliant academy. Poor way to exit the CC but consistent in the league (albeit over a shortened season). A lot hinges on Friday to be honest. If we come away from this season with no silverware then it's a big opportunity missed IMO. We need to make the remaining years when we have French, Gildart, Hastings and Farrell count.

I wondered that with the cup. In superleague terms only it has to be Lam for me but if it took the cup in to the thinking, then Watson or Agar could’ve got it.

Should’ve been Watson by a mile.

Well clearly not on league form, in fact he wouldn’t be in the top 5 or 6.

So do you know if the cup counts? If not then you know as much as we do and let’s presume the cup doesn’t count and that means you’re wrong. If it does then I agree with you (bar maybe the ‘by a mile’ comment),

Carney said it is voted for by SL coaches.

Everything should be counted as it's down to votes by other SL coaches (according to Carney)
My opinion is based on Watson's ability to get the best out of his team of 'average' players, not a coach like Lam who has infinitely more resources.

Everything should be but is it? Without knowing that neither of us know which is correct. Let’s face it there is absolutely no way somebody is getting coach of the year for guiding a side to 5 wins from 18 games and a 9th place finish. I think his lack of resources in terms of playing staff at Salford has been over egged somewhat as well. Lads like Sarginson, Watkins, Lolohea, Lussick, Inu, Mossop, Brown etc are no mugs and some will be on very reasonable money. Salford like to throw this ‘we do it on a shoestring’ line out and as an all round package (training facilities, having an academy, squad depth etc) maybe they do but that first team squad has enough money spent on it to expect more than 5 wins in 18 games IMO. There are some really good players going in to Salford next year as well, so I doubt I’ll be starting a whip round anytime soon.

If the cup is counted then my choice for coach of the year would be-

1-Agar
2-Watson
3-Lam

If not

1-Lam


Watson 7th or 8th.

I still struggle with the Watson love in. He is undoubtedly doing a good job but some looking at the evidence of this year he shouldn’t be near it even if you include the Cup.

In 2020 he took Salford from Grand Finalists to strugglers in the League.

Yes he got to the final of the cup basically winning 2 games to get there.

They turned over a Catalans side who were on a real dip in form at the time and a Wire side who on the day were as bad as we were in the semi.

I can see a good shout for Agar as they have improved massively since he came in but still at times really struggled in SL.

I know we've been through this before, but I don't understand the slight negativity towards him.

He's obviously not coming to Wigan anymore, but I never understood the reluctance to give him a shot when most people would take an NRL assistant with no coaching experience.