Post subject: What can Leeds learn from Wigan in 2006?
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 5:13 pm
Pacific
International Star
Joined: Jun 30 2014 Posts: 437
Right OK, serious thread and let me know your opinions.
Wigan (my club) has witnessed decades of success and we had a monopoly on silverware for a large part of the 80's and 90's. When we were bottom of the table in 2006 therefore it came as a huge shock. We were in a relegation dog fight which I dont believe Leeds are, but it shows how bad the predicament was.
Rather than being complacent about it like your club seems to be at present we sacked our coach and brought (at the time) an international coach in Brian Noble who had had huge success at the Bradford Bulls. If you did the same it would be the equivalent of getting rid of Brian McDermott and bringing Daryl Powell/Tony smith which i suspect most of your fans wouldnt mind.
Secondly, we broke the rugby league world transfer record and signed arguably the best prop on the planet at that point which was Stuart Fielden. This was a huge signing and gave the whole club a boost. Given the lack of quality in Super league unlikely nowadays you would be able to sign anyone near world class at prop but the equivalent would be one of the top props in this league such as Ben Flower or Chris Hill.
We then signed the form halfback in Super League in Michael Dobson who had the best kick-conversion accuracy of anyone in world rugby league this year. This was another great signing. He wasnt the best half in the league but he was very good. This would be like Gary Hetherington going out and signing Chris Sandow or Luke Gale nowadays.
And, yes, before anyone mentions it we did break the salary cap but we were only punished the year after and given it saved us from relegation it was probably the best thing we ever did.
Anyway the key is not to be complacent. You need to spend big and make big decisions like Wigan did in 2006. Do you really think the current Leeds team will sort itself out without further recruitment?
well we need to get our head out of the sand and do something. We cannot hide behind injuries, lack of training ground. Its what happens on the pitch that counts and at the moment we have no plan A nevermind a plan B.
Top 4 has gone now unless we win every game now. A Top 8 finish will have gone by round 17 with our form - MOT
Post subject: Re: What can Leeds learn from Wigan in 2006?
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 5:47 pm
Ferdy
Player Coach
Joined: Apr 02 2010 Posts: 5813 Location: pudsey
Pacific wrote:Right OK, serious thread and let me know your opinions.
Wigan (my club) has witnessed decades of success and we had a monopoly on silverware for a large part of the 80's and 90's. When we were bottom of the table in 2006 therefore it came as a huge shock. We were in a relegation dog fight which I dont believe Leeds are, but it shows how bad the predicament was.
Rather than being complacent about it like your club seems to be at present we sacked our coach and brought (at the time) an international coach in Brian Noble who had had huge success at the Bradford Bulls. If you did the same it would be the equivalent of getting rid of Brian McDermott and bringing Daryl Powell/Tony smith which i suspect most of your fans wouldnt mind.
Secondly, we broke the rugby league world transfer record and signed arguably the best prop on the planet at that point which was Stuart Fielden. This was a huge signing and gave the whole club a boost. Given the lack of quality in Super league unlikely nowadays you would be able to sign anyone near world class at prop but the equivalent would be one of the top props in this league such as Ben Flower or Chris Hill.
We then signed the form halfback in Super League in Michael Dobson who had the best kick-conversion accuracy of anyone in world rugby league this year. This was another great signing. He wasnt the best half in the league but he was very good. This would be like Gary Hetherington going out and signing Chris Sandow or Luke Gale nowadays.
And, yes, before anyone mentions it we did break the salary cap but we were only punished the year after and given it saved us from relegation it was probably the best thing we ever did.
Anyway the key is not to be complacent. You need to spend big and make big decisions like Wigan did in 2006. Do you really think the current Leeds team will sort itself out without further recruitment?
No following your model the key is to be CHEATS. Would rather not to be honest
If your not cheating, your not trying. Barrie Mcdermott
Post subject: Re: What can Leeds learn from Wigan in 2006?
Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 9:08 am
AJC
Club Owner
Joined: Oct 26 2003 Posts: 937 Location: Sunny Skipton
We need a world class half back, although we've arguably needed one for the last 7 years! Sinfield (being the legend he is) moved from 13 and did a great job, but that should never have been allowed to be the solution IMO.
Other than that I don't have many grumbles, despite our season being finished before it has started. If/when we get a full strength team out, on a 'summer' pitch I'm sure we'll be reminded what this team is capable of, but it'll be too late by then to make any impact on the league. McDermott has possibly come to the end of his Rhinos shelf-life, but I certainly don't think he deserves some of the insults being thrown his way - people have incredibly short memories.
PS Flowers isn't even Wigans best prop!!!!
"Not once has anyone whinged, moaned, blamed refs or looked for answers other than what's inside. That's why this is special." - Brian McDermott 08th Oct 2011
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