What do the NRL assistant coaches do that British coaches can’t replicate? Starting with Madge who came over and took us to a new level, Holbrook has transformed Saints, Price has improved Warrington and Woolford is killing it at Huddersfield.
As much as I’d like to see Edwards back at Wigan (not just due to the romance behind it), I’m starting to hope Adam O’Brien gets the job. My only fear would be he’d be off as quick as he came if an NRL offer came in.

Pretty much my thoughts, O'brien seems like a great choice. However as with players, SL clubs just can't keep hold if the NRL comes calling. However Saints and Warrington are in the same position so we would hardly be at a disadvantage.

You’d imagine Saints will win at least two from three this year and the next time a job becomes available in the NRL Holbrook will be right at the top of the list. Granted turning Saints fortunes around won’t hold the same weight in Australia that Maguire turning a big club like Wigan’s fortunes around did but somebody will take note.

In terms of our position, Gary Carter of the Sun is reporting Lam is a done deal and he could be bringing Lachlan Lam with him. He may have just pulled it from the other Wigan forum where that rumour has been going around for a couple of weeks but we’ll see.

I watched The Storm put 40 past Canberra last night and the attack was something else. It was Obrien’s job to change the attack after the loss to Cronulla in the Grand Final. If he does become the next boss, and I too am starting to hope he does, he might not add 5,000 to the crowd for his first game but playing the open attacking game Melbourne now do it won’t take long for the crowds to come back.

Even if it is only for two or three years, they’ll be enjoyable to watch, and hopefully successful trophy wise. Craig Bellamy has said he’d like O’Brien to take over from him. He has a three-year contract, maybe it would be good for O’Brien to be a head coach for three years then step up to the Storm top job.

Wigan Today are reporting Adrian Lam set to take over from SW. Also bringing his son Lachlan with him.

The Storm's attack has certainly improved massively in recent times, but they do have Cameron Munster.

It's only worth getting vexed about this if you actually believe it.

However, if the bits I've underlined are the reasons why you disbelieve this highly unlikely story, then I apologise. I misunderstood.

So many rumours about Lam I'd expect that it will now be him.
He'll have his work cut out with recruitment following all the players confirmed and rumoured to be leaving.
Sam and Sutton going confirmed. Then we've Bateman, Williams, Tautai rumoured to be departing. Plus we don't know if Tommy and Lockers are going round again although I'd imagine Lam does. Then off field there's rumours about Peet and Bitcon.
A lot of work in front of him.

Is Lam the right man to take on such a large rebuilding? I'd want him to be fully focused on team tactics and on-field performance.

It's probably an unpopular opinion but I wouldn't be against someone like Tony Smith coming in for 12 months to assist with the transistion process in some way. Did a good job straightening out Leeds after Powell in 04 and at Wire from 09 onwards.

Half of that is Kris Radlinski’s job though.

Personally I think this is an excellent time for a new boss to come in. Can rebuild the team to his liking, not taking on a team from the past coach.

My only concern is building a team around Lam and possibly his son, only to have them leave after a season or two. I would imagine the opportunity at Wigan is a stepping son for them both, not the end goal.

Worked alright with Maguire to be fair. If we get two or three successful years out of Lam and he manages to leave us in a strong position following the losses of S.Tomkins, Leuluai, Bateman and Lockers then he moves on to the NRL I'll be happy.

If you restrict your search for a new boss to those Antipodeans who don't have ambitions to coach in the NRL at some stage, I'd suggest you'll have a very small pool to pick from, if any pool at all.

True. I just worry about the long term effects. However there have been Aussie coaches who've stuck around, Smith for example.

Agreed entirely. It shouldn’t be that out of reach for us though. We could have Williams doing the same, he has shown how he can dance through a broken defensive line. If our forwards ran hard and put the opposition on the back foot there’d be similar gaps for Williams to dance through like Munster does. Unfortunately though with this gridiron “first down” mentality of hitting your front rather than making metres after contact we’re not really punching holes and creating gaps for anyone to take advantage.

We have a couple of likely lads down in the u19s who may only need a couple of years to make the step up (if they do not get pinched if Matty Peet goes to Salford).

I am not vexed about it. It just didn't sound very plausible to me for the reasons I gave but Rouges seemed to be convinced it was how this was being done.

Not going away this one is it? I’d be stunned if we ended up with anybody but Lam now. www.seriousaboutrl.com/wigan-lin ... ble-17936/

Not going away this one is it? I’d be stunned if we ended up with anybody but Lam now. www.seriousaboutrl.com/wigan-lin ... ble-17936/

You have hit the nail on the head MW.

Does anyone else think if it is Lam the idea he brings his son to play in the team is just a bit weird? I know we are all clamouring for a new half back and his son is one but it sounds a bit odd to me. Lam will either get accused of nepotism if he doesn't drop him after the first bad game (look at the stick Wane gets for always picking Powell and he's not related despite the jokes a DNA test is required) or he will be too keen to drop him so as not to be accused it it which is not good for his son. Just seems a bad idea to me regardless of how good a player his son is.

He'll certainly get stick if his son plays badly, but if Lam jnr doesn't come over and goes on to be awesome in the NRL, questions will be asked as to why we didn't take advantage of the family link ourselves. I'd say it's better to err on the side of the positive and gamble that he'll be good for us. Besides, if he's poor, who's to say his dad won't drop him?

Just be another stick to beat the club with won’t it.

Interesting interview with Shaun Edwards on Wales Online today, says his future will be resolved before start of RU season, speaks about it being important to go where you are wanted and that if someone wanted to wait until after the World Cup for him that would be ideal. Also Warren Gatland’s successor, Wayne Pivac, has “opened talks” about keeping him in Wales set up so not necessarily sorted already

Just puts both Lam snr ans Lam jny in an awkward position. I can't remember if there has ever been a father coaching a son at this level before. Given this is just weird why would anyone question it if he went onto be success in the NRL? I think the more pertinent question is why would a club take on a father/son team like this?

I think the idea we get a half back "for free" if Lam snr comes is popular with a lot of fans because we are desperate for a better half back than Powell so the fact Lam jnr is 20 so another project and is the son of the (potential) coach are issues that are being ignored. Also if Lam jnr is looked on as a top player already, why would he come here in the first place? He's 20 not 12 so does not need to follow his Dad around.

Different sport, but Doc Rivers was coaching his son Austin in the NBA for the LA Clippers the past few seasons. Lots of fans weren't happy about the large contract extension his dad gave him, can definitely see that happening here if he's not instantly the 2nd coming of Edwards, Hanley & Jesus.