Brian Noble took over a reasonable squad of players who simply refused to play for Ian Millward. Brian Noble was then party to cheating and we did cheat, breaking the salary cap in order to avoid relegation

We have not finished third for 3 years. 3 Years is incorrect. We did not finish 3rd either in the league.

with players he didn't want who were still under contract. Show me a coach who gets to coach the perfect tem of his choosing? EXACTLY. He got players he wanted, we cheated for him. Look at the players he wanted!!! Withers OML Fielden Mathers OML Pryce 18 months and ? Phelps OML

look at the players he did not want Joel Tomkins!!! EXACTLY

Did you miss the bit where I suggested we finished third after being bottom, How can you seriously argue with that record?

You're passionate about the game I'll give you that, it's a shame you channel it negativity.

I am not a huge fan of the Noble style of Rugby but I do think he is a good coach with a good track record at the style of Rugby that he gets his team to play.

The whole anti Noble thing is getting tiresome now tbh. Just lets all get behind the team and if he is as bad as some people think he is then he will get found out this season.

Admit it your Mickey Higham or another player who Noble doesnt rate. It is 100% not normal to be so obsessed with Brian Noble as you are.

Oh make no mistake I am sure that NO coach "want's" to be judged by chairmen.


Sadly (for them) the chairmen are their bosses. They WILL be judged by their chairmen, like it or lump it.


Now what exactly IS your point?

Right. As I am now less tired, and actually the points made by Dave O are volumous, but easy to counter.


1. RE the squad. The balance of the squad was decimated by Milldreds signings. Highham, Calderwood to name but two. These players are so removed from Nobbys style of playing it's untrue.

2. Now the point you are conveniently ignoring is that EVEN with this handicap, Nobby saved us from relegation AND got us to 3rd twice in a row. These aren't "statistics" these are FACTS. Hardly a "damming indictment" as you would put it, more a positive reflection on his coaching ability.

Now let's not get sucked into a "well SL is all about a cup competition at the end of the season" debate. Those are the rules and all the coaches work to that agenda. I actually don't like it (this year will be worse btw) but those are the rules set by the RFL. You play the hand you are dealt.






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You need to realise what gets you to 3rd place is winning two games in the play offs. That is all. It is no achievement.

If you are happy with that we can end the discussion here.

I am not.

I pay a lot of money and drive a lot of miles to be entertained in the regular league season. 2007 and 2008 were dire in that regard.

The idea he got to third despite it was "not his team" is ridiculous given whenever he is criticised the mantra is "oh well they played crap because they were not his team". The fact they were not his team has been trotted out time and time again whenever they have been poor.

Two games in the play-offs proves nothing.

What we need to see is a good regular season and then a good run in the play-offs. If we get that then we are going in the right direction. The sides who have won the thing in recent years have done that. It is because they have been good sides well coached. You can't IMO go into the play offs with a negative points difference expecting to win the thing.



You always do but a blind man on a bus would be able to tell you some of the performances last season were utter sh! te. Is the regular season a write off? Do we go to games to see dross performances for 20 odd rounds and if we win two games in the play-offs declare the season a success? Despite the fact we win nothing? Where did this come from?

When the game went to a GF format it was as plain on the nose on your face that any side could get knocked out of the play offs as it IS a knock-out competition. So therefore to expect to win it is like expecting to win the cup if you get what I am saying. So given this is the case I for one was not expecting to see anything like a run we had in the cup in 80's and 90's at all. Knockout football is too unpredictable for that. So I have always thought fans had to adjust to enjoying the regular season and hoping for the best in the play-offs. Because when the play-offs start what has gone before is written off.

The trouble is what has gone nefore at Wigan in 2007 and 2008 has been rubbish.

Dave

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So being a good coach is about winning trophies and results?

Is Brian Smith a good coach? Neil Henry? Mick Potter? Justin Morgan?

I am a Wigan supporter who wants a successful Wigan RL who play exciting / attractive RL. That is not possible with Brian Noble.

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Higham an Calderwood both came to Wigan from very successful clubs, both gained international honours in 2008. Both were wanted and signed by other SL clubs. Hardly hopeless players.

Brian Noble has always had a decent squad IMO. He's also had the best player in SL. However, even if we agree with your assumption, the job of the coach is to make those players individually/collectively better. The true measure of ANY coach. Oops Noble failed.