I know everyone's (well most anyway) dream is to have a coaching partnership of something like Edwards and Faz. There's no doubt that they would demand and get the team playing with a very good level of pride in the cherry and white. But just how far would that passion and enthusiasm for your home town club go when it comes to a long season and getting results every week? I can't see there being too many players who would put in a performance of the like that Pryce and Co. did against Catalans and not getting the "hairdryer" treatment from Edwards or Faz. Look how much passion the Kiwi's played with during the World Cup, it's no coincidence that this was, in part, down to having Ruben Wiki coming on the pitch and barking instructions as a water carrier, or offering praise and encouragement when required.
Then on the other hand there's the prospect of luring a good Australian coach over to take over from Nobby. A coach who would transform the style of play that is dished up each week. A coach who can adapt his teams tactics mid-way through a match when things aren't going our way. I think the last two games have been perfect examples. Against Saints we dominated large periods of the game, made it over the game line consistently and dominated the collision. Yet we couldn't find that last killer move that would see us score more tries. Yet Saints had 3 opportunities all match, they took them all and ended up winning. Then yesterday at Catalans we had a good opening 20 mins or so, then as soon as the Catalans forwards got into gear they just steam rollered us. Then what do we do in the second half? Play exactly the same tactics and end up getting mullered, resulting in countelss threads about how poor certain players etc. etc.
I honestly believe that the majority of our players (as I have mentioned in another thread) are good enough to play for Wigan. When comparing the team sheets against Stains last Thursday, we've certainly got what looks like a stronger team. Our team is, IMO, just having their natural ability coached out of them. A prime example is young Sam Tomkins, when he came on against Harlequins he was a revelation. Then in the next few games after that he's continued to toy with defences and regularly test them.
However, in the last couple of games he's been less conspicuous than in his previous games this season. I'm convinced that this is because he's being told to change his style of play to fit in with the first team and not play the same style as he has done for however long in the academy etc.
I await the responses from the usual suspects,
usually very good, I may add.
