The biggest difference between Leeds and ourselves is experience. Leeds have had the Sinfield/McGuire/Peacock/Burrows base to the team and that level of experience and game management has been able to get them over the line in tight games (very tight games at times especially this season)- Wigan have lacked that core over the last few years. Even the dominant Bradford and Saints teams in recent times have always had that experienced long term core- Wigan are getting closer to having that, assuming we can keep the current squad together - having Sam back is a big bonus as that will up the experience level considerably.

Wane is not a perfect coach (and having to replace players who keep leaving through no fault of his does not help) but I honestly cannot see anyone who could perform better, McDermot in many ways has had it easy at Leeds with the experienced players on the pitch - it will be interesting to see how he copes next season with the players leaving that will be a test of his coaching ability.

What Wigan are seriously in need of is a settled squad for a season or two.....

FWIW I agree. I said a few pages earlier that not all of this rests at the feet of Wane.

The player turnover at the club has been ridiculous. We've had teams equal to the Leeds side on Friday but we've not kept them together.

That being said I don't think Wane has nothing to do with player signings. I think some of his choices have been questionable I.e Goulding being replaced etc.

Got to say I've enjoyed this thread, such a break from the usual on here. I've already given my qualified support to SW earlier and have to say that nothing has changed for me. We just got pipped in an epic encounter by a special team in Leeds. Over the season, I believe we've played them 5 times and the aggregate score in +4 to Leeds? Given their squad age relative to ours we certainly have more to look forward to IMO. I accept the frustration in constantly looking forward but what else can we do?
As has been said it is vital that we hold onto the majority of our players. The more experience this group gets the better they will be for it and the better likelihood of the trophy wins we all want. However, if we keep getting to the GF and keep losing out IL will be faced with a tough decision re his coach. Does he accept that we are right up there and unlucky not to cross the line or does he say enough is enough?

This is a good point. Brian Mac himself has often spoke about how the group effectively manages itself. Next season will be a big test for him to see how he copes with what Shaun Wane has had to cope with every season of his tenure.

Brian mac isn't coach of the year. He's facilitator of the year. He's facilitated the good play of the players, not coached it. They have coached themselves.

Biggest? Mate, there's nowt between us. The only difference I could see was a knock on that could have gone either way. Wane's a good coach, not perfect but there isn't one that is. By my reckoning, Leeds' best chance of a seamless transition would be if Wigan were to ditch him.

All of which shouldn't be underestimated. I like Brian Mac, he speaks well after the game, giving credit to the opposition when it is due. He has managed Hardaker well and got the best out of him, when other coaches may have given up. He trusts his senior players and they have repaid that trust.

Next season will be really interesting. How will he replace Sinfield? I for one, wouldn't think there is much left in McGuire's tank, so Sutcliffe will need to step up, which he showed signs of doing this year. Will Galloway be anywhere near as good as Peacock? I doubt it, though he has some pedigree. Will Cuthbertson be as effective? Or will sides counter him? Will the replacement hooker be of sufficient quality, because Aiton was very good this year and may be an even bigger loss for the team.

You'll get nowhere fast on here with posts like that

O'Loughlin/McIlorum/Smith/Bowen is a pretty experienced long-term core. They should know how to manage games by now.

One's always injured, one's retired, one spends half the game on the bench and one's Matty Smith. We're doomed!