think how sweet its gonna be when we win at wembley lol

No one can question pearson's commitment and we lost £1/2m last season based on additional investment. Having said that, I'm sure we haven't made the progress he expected on the pitch and if we hadn't made Wembley I think he would have sacked gentle

I think he still might.

Speaking to a Wigan fan on Saturday night who claimed to be a pal of Paul Johnson. He told me Johnson is leaving as is Gentle. I personally do not think the first team has made much progress and the loss of Briscoe, O'Meley, Tickle, Gale and Lynch will strip the side of most of the experience and will be hard to replace.

Interesting times.

This is not my view of what should happen necessarily, but if we limp into the play-offs and out in the first round, Wembley aside that's way off AP's expectations and will not be a boost to season pass sales. I think he might sack Gentle in this scenario.

If we end up with a good last couple of games and a play-off win, that's improvement year on year with Wembley added in.

Question is now whether AP sees Gentle as the coach to take us to the next level and is patient whilst the pipeline bears fruit. Our lack of basic attacking structure has not been dealt with, this is the biggest concern for me, however defensively robust we are. There don't appear to be many compelling alternatives coach-wise however.

I'd agree with this assessment, the other option is we stick with Gentle, but bring in an attacking coach. Leaving Gentle free to concentrate on the defence coaching (which is his specialism)

There is nothing to be achieved by sacking Gentle unless he is going to be replaced by someone much, much better. Exactly who might that be? Not the likes of McNamara, Potter or Brian Smith that's for sure!

It's also interesting that the only signing we have officially made is that of Paea. I know we've been linked to Thompson and Walker but neither have been confirmed. Could it be that Pearson has not sanctioned any further signings as yet due to him being undecided as to whether Gentle will be the coach next season?

Well said.

He will have to announce some soon if he wants to sell some season passes. The discount period ends in two months.

I don't disagree. However, they've played the "give us one more chance" card in terms of season passes and if we lose in the play-offs first round, some fans will just see same old, same old. Change of itself brings optimism, if we don't change the coach, you could reasonably predict a 7th place finish next year. Not saying it's my view, just a possibility.

If we change the coach we can write off next year. We will be back where we started. He will be stuck with Gentle's team and will have to wait a year before he can bring in his own players. I would give Gentle one more year, but if AP decides to get rid now, he must bring in a big name, top line replacement.

People who are on PG's back are not looking st the bigger picture, they are just seeing the results which I agree at times have been poor. For start the half back pairing's have been chopped and changed so many times through injury and it's only until recently when Millar arrived have we seen a more settled pair and that's only a few games. Ellis out for a good wedge of the early season and now Lineham and Ben Crooks. Our out and out full back is out for the season also and still people think the side can perform miracles. AP has brought the club back into the limelight and an appearance in the final emphasise that. Sure we blew it big style and I'm gutted like everyone else but AP will stick with PG as he too can see the bigger picture and hopefully back him with some quality signings like he has mentioned. Onwards and upwards!

Good post. I was told radders is the defence coach which leads me to think gentle must be in charge of the attack. Anyone know for certain? I'd like to see radders as our head coach one day but too soon for him yet. I think he will make the grade though

I disagree. Countless examples in all sports of coaches who have come in and improved the play of a group of players