Quote: Latchford Locks "two words............
Brian Noble'"
When Wigan couldn't find a win for toffee in 2006 & relegation looked a certainty, Noble took over and we stayed up with some convincing wins and even pushed for the play offs. Admittedly we broke the spirit of the cap to sign Michael Dobson and Stuart Fielden, but ultimately he lifted morale and addressed some immediate issues to turnaround the fortunes of the club.
He then took over a Crusaders side that had just quickly drafted a team together, were thrown in the deep end (exactly like yourselves) and many tipped them to come bottom, but Nobby got them to the play offs.
Brian Noble is a man that couldn't take Wigan to the next level (champions), but he saved us from relegation and took us as far as he could - a play off team. He took a bunch of Aussies at Crusaders and got them to the play offs. He's the perfect coach for the scenario you find yourselves in.
I remember when Denis Betts was at Wigan and I never had confidence in him. Admittedly, the regime at the time were never going to give him much chance, but Kris Radlinski said in his autobiography that Denis could never really put himself across as an authoritative figure as a coach. He's very inexperienced and in the situation you find yourselves in you definitely need an experienced coach! Steve O'Connor has worked wonders at your club, but I feel he made a mistake in going for Denis Betts. I don't say that with the benefit of hindsight, I thought it at the time.
Your board must act NOW. The novelty of Super League will soon wear off with fickle supporters if their team keep getting thumped every week. Betts out and Noble in - it will change your season IMO.