Funnily enough my dad also started taking me to Wilderspool in the early 60's as well, and yes I have also watched some dire displays. The problem here though is the fact that Smith inherited a very good squad when he joined - I am not going to go over all the players again because they have appeared on many threads, and we know who they all are. But flash forward to this year and he has a squad with debatable signings such as England, Asotasi and Wheeler. Now, either you criticse the quality, or you say that he has assembled a good squad but is unable to motivate and build them into a team. But either way, he has failed to maintain Wire in the top 4 of SL, in fact the performance has gone steadily down hill for the past 2-3 years. Add in the comments of Micky Higham ("need to get rid of the dead wood"icon_wink.gif and those of Simms ( "clear the air meeting with the players"icon_wink.gif and it is very clear that all is not well at chez HJ.

I don't subscribe to the ''players weren't motivated'' line.
There were plenty of times when they showed that they were up for this match.

But confidence is low, timing is off and it's not going to turn round in the next few games. The nervousness led to some really basic errors. Some of the ball retention was abysmal. It was a wet night but too little respect was given to the ball.

We lacked ideas in attack and Wigan were always on top. (Was the defensive technique was poor, or something else? I'm not sure).
We got what we deserved - and it could have been a bigger score. (I was expecting nothing less than the score they posted).
Clearly not the standards that we are used to.

Our issues stem from not planning for the departure of key players, and poor recruitment. TS must share some blame there.
A lot of the other rubbish (imo) that's talked of here is not worth responding to.

One thing is for certain - last night convinced me that Ratch is not a f/b. Gidley is.

My memory isn't short at all, I'm old enough to have watched various Wire teams from successful ones, to bloody awful via perennial underdogs that had the capability of blooding the noses of the top teams.

I have a problem with posters that constantly use Monty Python's Four Yorkshiremen sketch to stifle any debate, particularly where criticism is involved or to defend the efforts of the club whether that is players r coaching staff... you think we/he/it's bad you obviously weren't there in/at and it was freezing winter rugby you know and they ran out of Bovril and we missed the bus from the watersheddings and had to thumb a lift back to Padgate got back a week on Tuesday. Well that's nothing......

I'm not asking for anyone to be sacked btw I just want them to be accountable for their actions and accountable that takes into account the set up that we have now.. A salary capped sport that is full time, a team in recent memory that had pushed on with gusto and style to be one of the teams to beat playing attractive RL in a new stadium that had brought the crowds back including our very own benefactor who's backed the coach with his chequebook.

Wheeler being hounded out what an apt user name as you have you are having a laugh aren't you? We owe the guy nothing he's not suddenly become injured whilst on duty here. He came here with a chance and a reputation for talent amongst other things has he been given a chance and has he shown any talent.

I want Smith and the players that are staying to turn things round with our new guys and put us back in the mix for trophy's I've quite enjoyed it and I'm in no rush to return to consistently darker days full of hard luck stories and snotting Wigan now and again

I have no argument that Asotasi and Wheeler, to name two, have disappointed but Wheeler is also a very good player who's very unlucky with injury, like Simon Grix, and Asotasi hasn't put in the shifts we expected. My gripe is with fans who have been spoilt over the last few years and are questioning everything Tony Smith does and are merciless in criticising certain individuals. If next season continues in the same vein then maybe changes need to be made but come on, let's not get suicidal cos we didn't get to a final or make the top four.

I'm more concerned that after many, many years playing and watching the game I suddenly don't understand what a knock on is any more and wonder why forward passes are rarely spotted - maybe I'm becoming a grumpy old man - but still think that this season we just under achieved for whatever reasons but the optimist in me (and let's be honest you need to be to follow the Wire) is looking forward to a big season in 2016

LG I'm just back from the pub and of course read your post and agree with it from the point of view of sticking with a team through thick and thin, it's our team after all.

My frustration from this season and perhaps last's is that we'd actually set ourselves up for what should have been a sustained period of success and not got the transition right. Going back one to move forward two is something that sometimes has to be endured and of course ends up in a positive result. Going back two might just be one too many and I would suggest it's careless from a management point of view. Even Eorl Crabtree had a smirk on his face the last time I saw him with Tanya Arnold regarding our prospects post the Cas game.

There is also a big difference between Grix and Wheeler as far as injuries are concerned they are both not simply injury prone harsh but only one of them has been side-lined because of the cause

Looks like a big shake up of back room staff is underway

Uncle Rico, I still need someone to explain to me what the rule says about knock ons - does the ball still have to go forward or is a loss of control or dropped ball in any dirction a knock on? seen all those of those pulled up as knock ons this weekend.

Rather typical of TS I'm not apportioning any blame but, let's hope he has a look at himself too, I will back Smith but as has been said on here before it's a big season for him next year, if he gets his new back room staff wrong it could well lead to his exit, he will only get one chance to put it right.,

Depends what badge is on the jersey.
The same rule of thumb applies to video ref "decisions". As a slight aside, whatever happened to the "benefit of the doubt" option for VR. If you need 10 looks at a try, that OBVIOUSLY shows there is a huge doubt. As Sir Ian Botham says in cricket commentary, if the 3rd umpire has to look EIGHT times whether the ball has hit the boundary rope or not, just award the four and move on. The public are there to be entertained....not to be annoyed

Well when I heard Agar was joining his mate Smith, I said to the missis "We'll end up playing like Wakefield".. I was joking but no its happened!! And I mean a Agar Wakefield not B.Smith's who are playing alright now!!

But who do you blame? Tony Smith with his woeful signings or no signings few seasons back, getting rid of winning backroom, bringing in Agar and pals.. Or just blame Agar and the backroom staff?

Either way something needs to happen quick because with great backing/money, brilliant supporters, great stadium, Internationals thoughout and don't forget the new logo whats happened in 2015 on the pitch is not good enough!

fp

I hired an accountant, potentially the best accountant in the country, could work at any of Londons top 20 businesses, on his day can balance the books and claim back money like no other.

Trouble is, he's always phoning in sick, my accounts are rubbish at the moment but i know i'll get him for a shift sometime in the next 3 months.

Gary is his name.

Tony smith also mentioned the injuries to players and havingv4 ppl injured every week since early on in the season. When asked were any of the injuries avoidable he said that he thought so and the person ppl responsible willing be here next season.

The conditioner is on way out and john clarke due in to replace him next season, I'm.also under the impressionbthat the current guy is not a great ppl person. And this is also adding to issues off the pitch.

Congratulations Matey you seem to be one of the first at Wire to realise what was coming your way when you signed Agar.
The clown has ruined every club he's been at and once he leaves the damage he caused doesn't get put right that easily.
The longer he is around the worse things will become, you can be sure of that.

There's an article on the WG website in which TS appears to having a pop at the supporters/fans if I've read it right? Maybe I'm just a little sensitive after that shambles on Friday.

linky?

www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... ugh_times/ Not a dig though really. He's just calling it correctly.

www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... ugh_times/ Not a dig though really. He's just calling it correctly.

A coach that doesn't coach, is he just a motivational speaker that doesn't even do that any more?

Without knowing what goes on behind scenes , I think it's safe to say Agar and the conditioning coach have added nothing positive to the team

Conditioning coach has gone,, we now have Clarke ,, ex Widnes and Warrington legend, back in the fold to sort it out,

[* Quote ="Prop9824"Conditioning coach has gone,, we now have Clarke ,, ex Widnes and Warrington legend, back in the fold to sort it out,'" Smith hinted at this in the guardian, naming no names www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... at_Wolves/

[* Quote ="Prop9824"Conditioning coach has gone,, we now have Clarke ,, ex Widnes and Warrington legend, back in the fold to sort it out,'" Smith hinted at this in the guardian, naming no names www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... at_Wolves/

Who will leave? Maybe both
Head of Strength and Conditioning: Mick Turner
First Team Assistant Conditioner: Nathan Stockley

The guy who came from wigan will be gone has not been popular with the players he's not a people person.

Turner has gone mate,,

If the above is a true reflection on the guy, how on earth can you employ someone in this area who isn't a people person?

Ah at last, now we get to the nub of the matter. How do you manage to recruit somebody who then ends up getting the boot in the space of just one year. Asotasi lasted two years, but then there were contractual obligations... and probably face-saving ones as well.

Is anybody reviewing player / staff recruitment, or is it a case of 'I like charge-downs so we will keep on doing it'.