Announcement announced tonight

[medlocke]

The Fat Controller and The Hetherington both need removing from the sport

[Wintergreen]

IL acknowledged that our style of play has come under fire and attempted to take the blame away from SW by saying that he was under an instruction to win at all costs.

I struggle to accept this and my opinion is that this was IL's way of taking the heat off SW.

He gave the impression that things may change next season but I don't see how this can happen without new blood amongst the coaching staff if SW is to stay, which it looks as though he will be doing.

It was interesting to hear IL's comments on the Sky viewing figures. If a game doesn't make it onto the Main Event channel the viewing figures reduce by 2/3 with the number of people watching around the 60,000 mark. That is very worrying for our sport and proves once again that the RFL are a shambles. We have the best product out there and they are responsible for agreeing an absolute dog of a TV deal.

Trouble is can we really say this anymore?

I used to be a massive advocate of rugby league and would tell whoever i could to watch it because of how much better it is than "yawnion" and football and all other sports, Its fast intense and brutal.

Over the last 3-4 years we have seen the standard drop dramatically to this season when not just Wigan rugby in general IMO has been at its lowest ever ebb. There have been 2 good games i can recall this season which have been last weeks semi's and thats about it. Castelford have been great to watch but the games themselves have been without intensity or drama.

The season has become an absolute sham the fact we nearly made it to the semi's despite going on our longest winless streak in 100 years shows how dire the standard is right now.

With the season meaning nothing, the games have no intensity and no edge. This means the crowds dwindle, the dwindling crowds mean on TV the game looks like a joke, that turns off the TV fans too.

Other sports have got better, union are catching us in terms of athleticism and skill and with their excellent international setup are starting to produce games that are as good if not better in some circumstances to watch than league.

It used to be a case that we had the best product and the worst PR, now i cant hand on heart say rugby league is the best product

My thoughts entirely.

Two words Salary and Cap.

The issue is the RFL (and a lot of fans) are too stupid to see it.

You pay peanuts, you get chimps (or at least lesser quality athletes). What many can't see is that this is not like switching off a light. The effect is not immediate.

What happens is something like this:

1. Salary Cap is introduced. Key here is salary cap vs COMPETITOR SPORTS.

2. "Transitional" agreements in place (to allow clubs to retain their top players until their contracts come up for renewal).

At this point the impact of the Salary cap is slight. RFL pat themselves on their backs as, despite the naysayers, the Salary cap hasn't impacted the game materially.........

3. Contracts come up for renewal. RL clubs cannot afford to keep all their quality players. Some players leave. (RU and NFL).

Gaps filled by talented young stars who have learned by being in an environment full of quality players.

Impact of Salary cap mitigated by above. The "drop" in quality not as high as naysayers had predicted. Average teams in Yorkshire doing better than before. RFL still feel pretty smug with themselves.

4. Salary Cap fails to keep up with inflation. Older "quality" players from pre SC era retire. Young stars leave for RU/NFL.

New crop of young players face less competition to break into first team. Result- less talent in first team.

5. Potential young players look at Salary cap in RL vs RU, compare the income/wealth of George Ford or Owen Farrell vs Ryan Hampshire or even Sam Tomkins, and decide that RU is a more sensible game to learn.

Talent pool of RL shrinks.

And sadly, that is where we are. Those of us that flagged it years ago were called merchants of doom. I can honestly say hand on heart that I wish my detractors were right.

[Jimmy Birts]

Lockers had already told me earlier in the evening, (before Mr Lenegan officially announced it) & that he didn’t fancy Canada anyway.

He didn't tell you who he was almost on the verge of signing a 1 year deal with last week then?

[jao 711]

Serious blow about Orrell being sold asI live close by and have seen all but two 19s games and some 16s games.Robin Park probably means I will see a lot fewer next year. Will miss my summer afternoons down there. I sincerely hope that it's not for housing as it has always been a sports ground,but I'm not confident.

[DaveO]

No reason given, at least not that I heard. The cash would obviously be re-invested in the Club.

Obviously? Who says so?

I’ve just said it!

Yes but Josie, you aren't the chairman. So it's not obvious that the money from selling Orrell is destined for the clubs bank account.

[jao 711]

Edge Hall Rd belongs to the club and so it's company money and must be accounted for.

[DaveO]

Edge Hall Rd belongs to the club and so it's company money and must be accounted for.

OK thanks. Didn't know that it was owned by the club itself. Thought it might have been owned by some sortof holding company a bit like the DW was.

[jao711]

Edge Hall Rd belongs to the club and so it's company money and must be accounted for.

OK thanks. Didn't know that it was owned by the club itself. Thought it might have been owned by some sortof holding company a bit like the DW was.

. I have to say that the more I think about it the more I am not 100pc sure ,but I think so,in which case I would be right.

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

Edge Hall Rd belongs to the club and so it's company money and must be accounted for.

OK thanks. Didn't know that it was owned by the club itself. Thought it might have been owned by some sortof holding company a bit like the DW was.

. I have to say that the more I think about it the more I am not 100pc sure ,but I think so,in which case I would be right.

You are right but I assume that some of that money will be used to buy Robin Park.

[Wes]

OK thanks. Didn't know that it was owned by the club itself. Thought it might have been owned by some sortof holding company a bit like the DW was.

. I have to say that the more I think about it the more I am not 100pc sure ,but I think so,in which case I would be right.

You are right but I assume that some of that money will be used to buy Robin Park.

Buy? I thought we are renting robin park? Buying it would be better!