Re: Wigan away Friday 23rd july : Sat Jul 24, 2021 2:34 am  

I suppose the problem we have with our coach is the same as with our squad: finances. If we don't renew Chester, what can we realistically afford? An assistant who "fancies a bash" at the top job? That is no way forward.

I have to concede, however, that it is hard to be positive moving forward. Let's be honest, we have gone backwards ever since JK went to Bradford. So, was the quality of the team based upon JK or Chris Chester? The results since then have suggested JK was the dominant factor.

If CC stays, I'm expecting more relegation struggles, due to a tired squad and an unusual approach to recruitment (let's get loads of average full-backs but put them behind a tired pack). Nothing I have seen since JK went to Bradford suggests we will ever get near a play-off place, or be ever anything other than relegation battlers.

The real questions are, however, whether we are exactly where out finances dictate we will be, and whether we can afford anything better.

Re: Wigan away Friday 23rd july : Sat Jul 24, 2021 6:21 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Massive concern that left edge defence. As you say pretty much all the scores from past few games have come down that edge. Some serious work needs to go into that this week. That starts with Ashurst, Miller who need to make the correct decisions when to slide and then Arundel and Senior where they need to position themselves. Between those 4 players they need to improve in defence.

I think Lyne and Kershaw seem to be defensively quite strong. I hope we give Kershaw a shot for next year because recently I’ve been impressed with him and of you’d ask me 5-6 weeks ago I really wasn’t a fan of his.

So does that throw the Arundel ,can pass and tackle ,out of the window, Did the left edge work better last week when Senior was in the centre ? Sorry to say I think Ashurst great stint is coming to a end it a age thing slowed to move across the ground ext.The next 3 year should show

Re: Wigan away Friday 23rd july : Sat Jul 24, 2021 6:43 am  

alegend wrote:

If you mean Brian Smith is brother, he is the one that got us into this mess If he had not left a Wakefield team that was so fit Mr Chester would not have been able to live off the basic of that team for 3 years

I think he means the former scrum half Tony Smith who was coach a number of years ago not Brian Smith who you refer to.

Re: Wigan away Friday 23rd july : Sat Jul 24, 2021 6:43 am  

.

Re: Wigan away Friday 23rd july : Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:24 am  

Had the pleasure of watching our 16 year olds the other night ,and after going 18 nil down early doors they regrouped and got stuck in and came away with a cracking win . Their attacking structures were were fluid and slick as apposed to the first team that half way through the season still look as they they’ve just played their first team together.
Is this a coincidence that they are coached by applegarth and not chester . The very future of our club lies in these kids as well as the older lads that have just signed contracts ,has chester ever come down to watch these future players NO, and hopefully that will stand them in good stead for them and the club in the future ,and fingers crossed by the time their chance comes we will have a quality coach in charge at the club.

Re: Wigan away Friday 23rd july : Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:29 am  

Slugger McBatt wrote:

I suppose the problem we have with our coach is the same as with our squad: finances. If we don't renew Chester, what can we realistically afford? An assistant who "fancies a bash" at the top job? That is no way forward.

I have to concede, however, that it is hard to be positive moving forward. Let's be honest, we have gone backwards ever since JK went to Bradford. So, was the quality of the team based upon JK or Chris Chester? The results since then have suggested JK was the dominant factor.

If CC stays, I'm expecting more relegation struggles, due to a tired squad and an unusual approach to recruitment (let's get loads of average full-backs but put them behind a tired pack). Nothing I have seen since JK went to Bradford suggests we will ever get near a play-off place, or be ever anything other than relegation battlers.

The real questions are, however, whether we are exactly where out finances dictate we will be, and whether we can afford anything better.

I get most of what you say.

The best we have ever played in SL was under McNally but that was a freak.

The most consistent was under JK first time.

However imo the best rugby we have played in SL was from 2016 to 2018 when we were hammering teams like Hull and Wigan and Bering Leeds and Saints, only Cas eluded us. We can’t just dismiss that to suit a new narrative which I’m sure you unlike some are not doing. Was it the JK factor?

The question now is what’s gone wrong?

Covid and injuries are a part but something is now missing and doesn’t seem to be returning.

Ageing team for one.

Lack of quality signings, but is that bad management or just a total lack of available talent?

Was it the team who performed rather that the coach in those good seasons.

Did JK make all the difference and CC is just not good enough?

Have we got some bad apple who need to go?

Can we only win at home with a totally partisan crowd

Is it simply that we can’t compete money wise but just struck lucky for a while?

Plenty on here seem to think they have the answers but they don’t, I’m not sure anyone does but only the club’s management can sort it.

It’s no fun and I’m not shooting people down today, I don’t have the energy anymore.

If I were to say anything I’d just like to see some real endeavour, spirit and above all desire to play the full 80. I can accept that we are not vey good at the moment just so long as I believe we are trying and I’m no longer convinced that some players are. Very sad.

Re: Wigan away Friday 23rd july : Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:46 am  

Slugger McBatt wrote:

I suppose the problem we have with our coach is the same as with our squad: finances. If we don't renew Chester, what can we realistically afford? An assistant who "fancies a bash" at the top job? That is no way forward.

I have to concede, however, that it is hard to be positive moving forward. Let's be honest, we have gone backwards ever since JK went to Bradford. So, was the quality of the team based upon JK or Chris Chester? The results since then have suggested JK was the dominant factor.

If CC stays, I'm expecting more relegation struggles, due to a tired squad and an unusual approach to recruitment (let's get loads of average full-backs but put them behind a tired pack). Nothing I have seen since JK went to Bradford suggests we will ever get near a play-off place, or be ever anything other than relegation battlers.

The real questions are, however, whether we are exactly where out finances dictate we will be, and whether we can afford anything better.

If we could afford Chester and Kear before surely we can afford just Kear? Be interesting to know whether he wants another shot at SL or not. I'd have him back in an instant personally

Re: Wigan away Friday 23rd july : Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:52 am  

vastman wrote:

I get most of what you say.

The best we have ever played in SL was under McNally but that was a freak.

The most consistent was under JK first time.

However imo the best rugby we have played in SL was from 2016 to 2018 when we were hammering teams like Hull and Wigan and Bering Leeds and Saints, only Cas eluded us. We can’t just dismiss that to suit a new narrative which I’m sure you unlike some are not doing. Was it the JK factor?

The question now is what’s gone wrong?

Covid and injuries are a part but something is now missing and doesn’t seem to be returning.

Ageing team for one.

Lack of quality signings, but is that bad management or just a total lack of available talent?

Was it the team who performed rather that the coach in those good seasons.

Did JK make all the difference and CC is just not good enough?

Have we got some bad apple who need to go?

Can we only win at home with a totally partisan crowd

Is it simply that we can’t compete money wise but just struck lucky for a while?

Plenty on here seem to think they have the answers but they don’t, I’m not sure anyone does but only the club’s management can sort it.

It’s no fun and I’m not shooting people down today, I don’t have the energy anymore.

If I were to say anything I’d just like to see some real endeavour, spirit and above all desire to play the full 80. I can accept that we are not vey good at the moment just so long as I believe we are trying and I’m no longer convinced that some players are. Very sad.

Lots of questions there Vasty and probably more than one applies at the moment.
I too support the team if they try but it's hard to see from some players sometimes.
Like someone else on here has commented , I too have supported the team for 60+ years and it used to hurt for a couple of days after a defeat. Sadly, it no longer does because I'm now well prepared to deal with the defeat.
Like you say, it's up to the management to change things and they have to get their finger out because very soon season tickets will be on sale for next season.........!

Re: Wigan away Friday 23rd july : Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:55 am  

vastman wrote:

I get most of what you say.

The best we have ever played in SL was under McNally but that was a freak.

The most consistent was under JK first time.

However imo the best rugby we have played in SL was from 2016 to 2018 when we were hammering teams like Hull and Wigan and Bering Leeds and Saints, only Cas eluded us. We can’t just dismiss that to suit a new narrative which I’m sure you unlike some are not doing. Was it the JK factor?

The question now is what’s gone wrong?

Covid and injuries are a part but something is now missing and doesn’t seem to be returning.

Ageing team for one.

Lack of quality signings, but is that bad management or just a total lack of available talent?

Was it the team who performed rather that the coach in those good seasons.

Did JK make all the difference and CC is just not good enough?

Have we got some bad apple who need to go?

Can we only win at home with a totally partisan crowd

Is it simply that we can’t compete money wise but just struck lucky for a while?

Plenty on here seem to think they have the answers but they don’t, I’m not sure anyone does but only the club’s management can sort it.

It’s no fun and I’m not shooting people down today, I don’t have the energy anymore.

If I were to say anything I’d just like to see some real endeavour, spirit and above all desire to play the full 80. I can accept that we are not vey good at the moment just so long as I believe we are trying and I’m no longer convinced that some players are. Very sad.

Sums it up really, a combination of factors is likely the cause but irrespective the fundmental question remains, should the current incumbent continue in his job next season given the situation we are in?

Re: Wigan away Friday 23rd july : Sat Jul 24, 2021 8:02 am  

...