leg_end wrote:
I can accept that we are leasing the ground from Whelan and therefore have to accept that we have to play 2nd fiddle up to a point. What I find unacceptable ( if I am reading it correctly) is that we could have a game planned (since the fixtures came in at the start of the season) for a Friday night and then if Latics draw a home cup tie for the Saturday then we would have to change our game. IF the Latics cup tie was for the same day as our game then I can see that we would have to give way but if it's the day after our game then I find it unnacceptable.We would be going back to the arguments and excuses that were used for the play off game last season but this time we would have given the required notice to use the ground. We also know that it IS possible to turn the ground around in 24 hours so it looks as if we would be greatly inconvenienced (ie corporate hospitality and sponsors etc not to mention us poor speccies) just on a whim of Dave Whelan. ( Or should that be on the objection from his football team manager).
I am not sure about this??
At the time IL responded to the question I got the distinct impression that he hadn't understood the exact scenario given to him.
I was tempted to ask for clarification on the subject but to be honest couldnt be bothered as it was far more interesting (Not) listening to people ask such insightful questions re : Passing to our wingers, teaching Phelps to tackle & something inaudible regarding Steve Ganson?? !!!!!!!
To be honest I much preferred the info given to the fans rearding New Coaching appointments and the contracts for the younger players and the Accellerate squads plus Brian Nobles talk regarding Styles of play and recrtuitment etc.
The Q&A is getting to a situation where 80% of the questions are just cringeworthy!
I would like to get clarification on the FA Cup scenario (Not that it will be a problem for this year!) and also for the possible Play Off scenarios at the end fo the year.
Then again I am also realistic enough to know that IL has to play the cards that he's been dealt and this has been dictated to him through the mis management of the club in years gone by.
I thought hi remarks regarding "We will not build a New Stadium" and his reason why were AGAIN for the 3rd Time very well delivered however unfortunately will keep raising the subject time & time again instead of just getting on with it.
IL said "I could have killed him and you can quote me on that" but in the end theres not a great deal he can do.
It pains me to say it but better relationships with the Stadium Management company are essential in ensuring the best for Wigan R.L in future.
It's all very well and good people saying he should do this and he should do that but that's very easy sat behind a Keyboard whereas these people have to live & die by their actions.
Overall
Quite informative regarding Marketting,squad building,Youth development,Future initiatives etc
Q&A pretty awful - They should basically ask does anyone want to ask a question and the first 100 that put their hands up "Throw them out".
Too many people asking questions that if they had half a brain would realise that IL can only give a stock "No Comment" answer or similar.
PS
Agree with you Cruncher regarding people taking summarised info from fans and using this to attack certain persons within the club to suit their own argument is not a constructive way to do things and more a case of certain peoples egotistical "banter" to make people believe that "My arguments are better than anyone elses".
This IMO shows people who are more interested in being proven correct in their opinions and inflating their Ego's rather than Real interst in the well being of the club!
As said on 2 x previous threads (One about being optimistic about this season & 1 about Noble as our coach) these are some of the reasons for my optimism for the future and this season.
1/ IMO we have a better "Squad" than we have had for 5 or so seasons (And please do not quote our end of season squad we had 2006 as being better)
2/ The club have a better Youth Development Process/Pathway/Infrastructure/management than we have had for many many years! I thought Noble's comments re this situation VERY IMPRESSIVE! I cant remember his exact words but it was along the Lines of "IL has provided UNPARRALELLED support financially and in other ways to the development of Local talent, I have never been involved and know of no other club with the same level of commitment to Local talent".
This also inidcates that their is a Good (Maybe Not great) but good working relationship between the 2 and this can only be good for the club.
3/ He did say that Brian Noble had veto on all the signings, but you have to be realistic in that it has to work both ways!
If Noble wants a player and IL can afford it then we sign him, If we can't he says NO
If IL wants to sign a player because we can afford it but Noble says he doesnt want him then IL won't buy him, Noble nodded in agreement.
4/ The enthusiasm from Mick Hogan towards Marketing,Merchandise increasing attendances, increasing sposhorships, increasing links through local schools and community parnerships made be very optimistic that we will leave no stone unturned to return ourselves to the No1 club in Rugby League and IL said this was a 3 year plan to do so!
5/ The Backroom staff have been put in place & they ackowledged they havent shouted this from the rooftops but to see the 8 x new staff employed and in the areas they have been employed very comforting for the future development of the club
6/ I totally agree with Nobles comments re: the development of future Youth through the club : His comments about "They have to be good enough" and his use of them "With a Duty of Care" excellent and totally understandable. He wants them to have 15 years in the game not 15 months. He also stated that previous youngsters have suffered due to being exposed "Too early". You may agree/disagree but I believe he honestly has the best interests of these players at heart.
All of the above make me excited about the season ahead as I always am irrespective of the ups aand downs of the club but confident that the club is in the right hands for the future.
Whilst writing this I have also seen "PK" response to "Cruncher" over the Questions he wants answering on the night.
I would suggest a couple of things.
1/ Maybe you or certain people don't like the answers you are given that's why they keep getting repeated.
2/ If you don't like the answers then stopping asking the same drivelling questions that anyone with half a brain could telly you IL won't answer and I agree He shouldnt.
3/ If you want to know "Standard details" then ask "Standard queastions"!
4/ If you want to Know more then put your money were your mouth is a buy the club!
IL has provided the fans with more info in the last 12 months than we have been given in the last 12 years Yet he is still criticised!
We didnt have fans forums and the club never give us any info, we have them and the club don't give us enough info, we have more forums and they don't give us the right info! They don't give us the answers we like!
For god's sake!
It is apparent to me that certain fans want IL to enter into a Bar Room conversation regarding Wigan Rugby and give us all the secrets and "Inside Info" just to pander to our wants and needs!
This isnt going to happen!
I would like to do something quite strange for some of the people on here before I finish!
I Would Like to Thank both IL and his management Team & Brian Noble for the forum last Night AND for the stability and commitment to ensuring that once again Wigan RLFC are a Progressive club with a Positive, Optimistic & Bright Future! If Effort & Commitment off the field are indicators and a reflection of On the Field success then I feel confident that in the not too distant future Trophy's will be on display at the club in the future (Surely Mr Whelan won't have any Latics trophies to display there so he won't have a problem with this!
)
I Know being optimistic & Positive on this board doesnt fit in with everyones agenda but I'm fed up with peoples Agendas and attemts to slag everyone/thing off at the club to fit in with those agendas!
PHEW
Off to bed for a lie down now!
