Lam Out!

[josie andrews]

The Cherry and Whites' form has taken a nosedive in recent weeks

In the aftermath of a truly dismal and indeed historic defeat to Leeds Rhinos on Wednesday night, Wigan Warriors head coach Adrian Lam was asked live on Sky Sports about his future.

He replied by saying he was simply focused on the job in hand and was taking things “day to day, week to week”.

Lam’s position at the club, in line with Wigan’s horrendous run of form, is turning into a saga.

It has been for weeks, months even.

Since the early rounds of the 2021 campaign, Lam has been brushing off talk about his future and whether his tenure will extend into a fourth season.

He said a few weeks ago that a decision would be made by the end of July.

Here we are now, almost into September, and there is still radio silence from the Wigan hierarchy.

Lam is one of the most likeable and accommodating head coaches in Super League with the media.

He is generous with his time and a fine raconteur when telling a story or commenting on a topical subject in the game.

But actions speak louder than words and his side is simply not cutting it on the field.

During the past two games – televised home defeats to St Helens and Leeds – Lam has looked a man devoid of answers.

He appeared visibly stunned when his side were taken apart by Saints last Friday and Wednesday’s home loss to the Rhinos had a similar theme.

Wigan simply cannot put a decent attack together, let alone score a try, and patience is starting to wear very thin from supporters who have booed their team off in the past two home games.

Against Leeds, the cherry and whites were nilled at home for the first time since 1991.

Lam, admirably, typically, fronted up after both losses and was honest enough to admit his side weren’t at the races again.

But he has been less than forthcoming about his own position at the club.

Is that uncertainty hurting the Warriors right now and causing them to resemble a rudderless side?

Rugby league is a small game where everyone knows each other’s business and not much is kept secret.

It is generally accepted that Shaun Wane will return to Wigan in some kind of role from next season.

Matty Peet or John Winder, Wigan’s current assistant coaches, are tipped to replace Lam with Wane possibly working in a director of rugby type position on a part-time basis.

Quite how that would work remains to be seen, but in terms of Lam, it appears increasingly certain that he will not be at Wigan next season.

Wigan’s play-off hopes have taken a major battering after a run of three straight defeats and on Bank Holiday Monday they travel to West Yorkshire to face a red-hot Castleford Tigers side seeking their fifth successive Super League victory.

The way in which Wigan’s season has begun to unravel has merely added to the feeling that Lam’s future beyond this season should have been made clear by now

The Warriors have just four games of the regular season remaining and he is still fending off questions about whether he will be here next year.

Although moves will clearly be taking place behind the scenes to decide the club’s coaching structure for next season, it feels the situation has been allowed to drift.

Maybe Lam’s players have sensed that too as their season hangs in the balance.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... e-21416292

[Wigan_forever1985]

I agree that the club need to either back him or bin him at this point with immediate effect the silence is deafening

[Mike]

And look what’s happened since he left. Just because “50%” of the fans on here wanted something hardly means it should happen. At least visiting teams expected a battle when they played us.

But Wane rugby not being exciting is just a lie, so many good tries and good attack rugby but the anti Wane brigade just claimed that was players ignoring the plan.

Not that I think Wane back long term is a good idea but if we could have him short term to steady the ship (say the next 3 games) it would be great.

It was boring and at least 50% of the users on here wanted him out after year 2.

It was boring and we were losing fans. That won't change.

[JimmyMagnets]

And look what’s happened since he left. Just because “50%” of the fans on here wanted something hardly means it should happen. At least visiting teams expected a battle when they played us.

It was boring and at least 50% of the users on here wanted him out after year 2.

It was boring and we were losing fans. That won't change.

We are losing more fans now at an alarming rate. I'd rather watch a boring but Winning wigan than a losing and still boring one than what we have under Lam at the moment. BRING BACK WANEY!!

Sent from my SM-A715F using Tapatalk

[Caboosegg]

And look what’s happened since he left. Just because “50%” of the fans on here wanted something hardly means it should happen. At least visiting teams expected a battle when they played us.

It was boring and at least 50% of the users on here wanted him out after year 2.

It was boring and we were losing fans. That won't change.

I'd argue the league bar 1 or max 2 teams where less exciting than wigan. We where a team that could win a game we where losing in the last minutes due to our wingers making breaks. If we started poorly you always expected a response at half time.

I'm not saying it was all perfect but I'm 100% of the opinion that people decided Wane was bad before he's even taken over as he wasn't Maguire. Same way we could play the best rugby we ever have under peat (not saying we will) and 50% of the fans on here have already made up their mind and will hate it either way.

[ian.birchall]

^ Me too.

I like to use a Rugby Union analogy.

Image a game where the team fielded 15 forwards and effectively turned it into 80mins of one big rolling maul.

Could be highly effective but clearly not exactly a spectacle for the supporters.


Extreme situation that proves a point. RL is ultimately a business that needs to entertain it's customers.

Sounds very like Exeter Chiefs!

[jaws1]

Has he not gone yet ??????

Not yet…… my guess is he goes straight after the cas game…… wouldnt it make the emergency fans meeting more easier for the club?

If Wigan lose against Castleford and is not sacked before the fans forum if we were a top football club their spectators would be in their thousands outside chanting/placards demanding he be sacked.

[Mike]

Has he not gone yet ??????

Not yet…… my guess is he goes straight after the cas game…… wouldnt it make the emergency fans meeting more easier for the club?

If Wigan lose against Castleford and is not sacked before the fans forum if we were a top football club their spectators would be in their thousands outside chanting/placards demanding he be sacked.

Not enough people care anymore. That's the biggest problem. Getting Wane back will not help that.

[medlocke]

Getting Wane back will not help that.

But it will make 97% of the posters on rlfans happy

[jaws1]

Getting Wane back will not help that.

But it will make 97% of the posters on rlfans happy

Cant say I'm happy with Peet and Wane crowds were dwindling fast when Wane was last here.