We won't make the 8 this year and anyone who expected us to was deluding themselves.

Agar is building something at WTW that hasn't been in place for many a year - a whole systems approach to the game that will see young players join the club as scholars and have a genuine pathway to 1st team; he's hampered by lack of funds and by the decision to do away with the reserves, but what he's trying to achieve is pretty obvious to those who are prepared to be grown up about it and have a bit of patience.

In short, I don't think he's either a genius or lucky - he does seem like a hardworking bloke though and very genuine.

I'm going to come to you're aid here and agree with you, especially the highlighted bit.

I agree with most of the posts regarding Agar and to me one of his best attributes is that he has a good eye for a player.

I just have that little niggle that as the world cup approachs he may be under a little too much pressure to coach 2 teams. For us to make the 8 he would have to give us 100% of his attention and that may not happen.

I agree. I have no doubt he is totally committed to WT and is doing his best with limited financial resources.
We haven't got a sugar daddy behind us who's willing to tip his money in huge quantities, we have a tight budget. This reflects the quality of some of the players, We might make the play offs but I doubt it.
With the addition of a top quality SO for next season coupled with the signings so far, we could then push for a Play off spot.
Even this season there have been glimpses of a team that plays good rugby!

I suppose it is easy for the stone throwers when Wakey are loosing games and there again when we win a game it is also easy for the sceptics to say how lucky we were. The bottom line is that early on last season nearly everyone was baying for Agars blood but then he turned the team around and won us 7 games on the bounce all of a sudden he could walk on water. It has been roughly the same this season and the hunting pack have been asking for his head on a platter but realisticly look at some of the players and no amount of "coaching" would have made these guys more alert, work harder or just concentrate on the game. Some guys on here were saying bring back John Kear !!!!!!! He was nearly at the point of being lynched on this forum when he was last here. I have to admit there must be better coaches in SL but who are they? Brian McDermot, Nobby, looking at the present form of their teams I suspect that their fans are dissapointed to say the least. So I think we should get behind the team and Agar both at the games and on the forums and send out positive vibes.

And that's the frustrating thing about this squad, they are good enough to compete against if not beat the top teams as they consistently show, they are certainly good enough to beat the mid/lower league teams, and had the rugby played against the lower half teams been as good as that played against the top teams we would have been a shoo in for the play offs.
Maybe they should change their mentality and sacrifice the fixtures against the top teams to concentrate on big performances against the teams around us who are competing for the same play off place.

Rumour doing the rounds is he'll go to France and stay there come seasons end.

Karl Harrison to come in.

Back from working away ... Most genius have one thing in commen they think they are right .which is fine as long as they are? , my view is he has done well with what he has got to work with with the monies available.

Its an interesting question this.
I think names such as genius, legend etc are bandied around far too often as to almost discount most of those with the label.
Lucky i think would be unfair although it certainly holds some water i.e limited injuies, the run of seven, bradford being docked points - all went in some way towards us getting the eigth spot last season.
From what i have seen and heard Agar is certainly a thinker however some of what is served up by way squad selection and substitutions appears to be nothing short of unfathomable.
I would argue that he is closer to lucky than genius, but i have no more faith in some of the suggested replacements that are named.
If he goes and stays in France (as ONE rumour suggested) i wouldn't lose any sleep about it.
I think on the whole we have a lot better squad now than when he started and if he continues to replace players with the likes of TT and Tuson and players of that calibre and strengthen where we need to and off load who we need to, next season lucks like being a strong one.
2012 was IMO a bit of a fluke, this season looks like it wont compare to an unrealistic 2012 so that is hard to argue either way, but next season could be the one and overall that is when Agar should be judged.

Tbf Kinley, when you look at our "average" SL finish then, assuming the wheels don't come off this time, Agar is doing ok, not prolific but, not bad and we've certainly had much worse in charge.
Having said that, IF we had lost at Salford, the outlook would have been a fair bit more pessimistic.
The Tuson signing is quite intriguing and i'm still trying to work out why he would come to Wakefield if he had an offer of any sort from Wigan.

Think I'm right in saying that Tuson as said he is coming to Wakey because form permitting he is gauranteed a start in the second row which at this stage in his career is what he needs.

Thats quite easy to work out, If Wigan really want to hold on to someone there is no way on earth they would allow Wakey would take him away.

Some great replies but sadly not to the question.

What I'm wondering is if Agar has this play off style football sussed. and isn't lucky but has again masterminded the best possible tilt at top 8 that we can manage with what we have?

We will know soon enough but just speculating.

Its hard to judge because unless we do it again this year, last year will be (rightly i think) judged "fortunate" and not down to Agar's coaching abilities - more down to circumstances.
If we do it this year taking out the factors that aided us last year i'd say there is an argument to say he has "the knack".
If he does it next year with ease, i'll be down the tattoo shop asking for "an Agar!!"
One answer is Genius? no, Nothing to back that up at all yet, and being frank totally unrealistic.
Another is, hard working outside the box and deep thinker on the game? likely.
One to answer will be at the end of next season, sucessful? hopefully yes!!