I wouldn't get your hopes too high. There are 18 layers of winding up going on here.

I can't help but think back to the people who posted this rumour and then realise they haven't posted anything about it since they first broke the news...................i can see them sat infront of their laptops pi*sing themselves at the 35pages that have followed

I think you're on to a winner here.

What's actually happening is Noble is going to play 'hooker', his old position at Bratfurt, and Hock is moving to the coaching position,he escapes his ban. That way we keep everybody on board !

I dont think Hock would be interested in that sort of 'deal'

Can't see the rumours of Noble going being true (although I still have my fingers crossed just in case).

IL is on holiday in France this week and I can't see Mick Hogan wielding the axe and signing a new coach in while the Chairman's away.

Nothing in papers, not even a sniff.

Given the Hock situation I would be very surprised and disappointed if our Chairman was still in France on holiday.

I suspect this has been a well executed wind up.

I don't think it's been a wind up.

I think somebody has seen a couple of emergency meetings at the club and have presumed it's about the Brian Noble's departure which is the most anticipated news at Wigan RL. When really, these 'meetings' will have been in regards to the Gareth Hock situation.

That's all.

When you think about it, it wouldn't be totally judicious for IL to sack Brian Noble in the same week that Gareth Hock is caught using cocaine.

It doesn't take much for people in RL to put 2 and 2 together and come up with 10, but that would be an overwhelming accusation.

Denis Betts & Kearney took part in a video confeence with IL last week.....Kearney said no, Betts still in limbo.....FACT!

When does the weekend squad annoucment usually happen ?

Usually on a Tuesday for a Friday match so it should be today for Sunday's.

Well we should know if hes still around today then

Well the usual press conference for this weekend's game is at 12.30 and Noble is scheduled to be there, so we will certainly know one way or the other.

I can save you a nervous wait - he will be.

Is that a definite end to the rumour then Cruncher? Have you heard anything either way?

If he’s gone, staying or leaving at the end of the season it would be nice to get some closure on the whole thing with a definite statement of intent from the club. Let’s face it the whole situation is getting frustrating now for all parties involved.

Decisions like this should have been made and released months ago like it was with Potter going to Saints or Smith leaving Leeds. Big decisions like this shouldn’t be left so late into the season.

The last thing we need is a protracted is he/isn’t he or will he/won’t he debate raging on for the next month and a half at least.

My info is that he's still coach of Wigan.

I don't know why or for how long. But I wouldn't take this as a vote of confidence in him. This rumour about him being sacked is almost certainly nothing more than hope springing eternal among folk who've literally got nothing else to think about.

But when you consider it, politically it would have been dynamite to get rid of Noble under these circs. Even if he's now [ipersona non grata[/i at Wigan, it would make sense to hang on for the time being. He clearly isn't responsible for what Hock's done, so why would the club do anything to imply otherwise?

Fridays match is announced on Wednesday.
Saturdays match on Thursday.
Sundays match on Friday.
Look on sky sports because they are always first to show you the details.

Its not the squad were after its whos picked it we all want to know.

My initial thoughts regarding Noble and the Hock scandal was that Noble had to leave immediately as the club had been thrown into a state of turmoil which could have been avoided by better management of certain players.

I now think the same as you however. It wouldn't be fair on Noble to sack him at the same time as Hock as there would always be those anti Wigan and Noble critics who would link the two together and may even imply Noble had something to do with it all. In fact reading a few posts it’s already started with rival fans having sly digs at him in regards to this.

It’s a whole new Pandora’s Box we’d be well best staying away from.

I agree with that, my thoughts on it where the same.

That being said, its clear Noble isn't staying and that IL wants his own man in charge, what concerns me is what is happening to our recruitment in and around that.

Thing is, Nobby IS IL's "own man".

He offered him the contract extension last year, albeit only for 1 year.

very true BUT (adding to the conspiracy theories on here), maybe IL had his own man in mind when he took over wigan but he wasnt available?

hence the noble extension

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