DaveO wrote:This whole idea of playing for a contract is based on the notion that any previous less good form was a deliberate act on the players or coaches part to take it easy and that they could have, at any time, played or coached like they are in the last year of their contract but just could not be bothered.
I think its a completely stupid notion myself and players like Coley and coaches like Noble have never wanted to be anything less than a success here. Sometimes players lose form and there is nothing sinister about it or them regaining it in the final year of their deal.
As I have said previously, I don't subscribe to this notion that players start playing well in their last season in the hope of a new contract. They must surely know a decision on their future will be made based on their form and worth to the club over the period of their time here. Same goes for Noble.
I would think decisions have already been made on the players who are out of contract (as shown by TL getting a new deal already) because you need to start working before now on identifying replacements if contract extensions are not to be offered. Same goes for Noble.
Likewise any potential new club would be mad to sign a player or coach based on his last seasons performance alone.
It's pointless exercise turning it on for the last season in the hope this is going to influence anything, the decisions will have already been made therefore I don't think the players or Noble are stupid enough to try it.
Dave
Nobody said it was a premeditated strategy. I don't think for a second that anybody at the club want to be anything but a success. But lots of things can happen over a contract (individual form may dip, the team may not gel) that puts a coach or player in a difficult position when it comes to contract renewal.
Imagine you're a player or coach with a good rep who came to Wigan and is perceived to have not delivered. We've had more than a few, so you can take your pick. Of course you want to restore your rep and get a new contract (here or elsewhere), that's what gives additional incentive to improve. The person digs deep so they can restore the reputation they once had.
If Noble takes to us a final this year, people won't be saying 'Noble only really coached in the last four months of his contract' - they'll say 'Noble showed his class at Bradford and he took his time, but in the end, he came through for Wigan.' That's why he'd get another contract and that's why underperforming professionals tends to focus around contract renewal time.
Yes.
