TALKING SPORT: Uncertainty over Noble is having an effect
IT'S time for the uncertainty over the Wigan coaching job to come to an end. It's dragged on for far too long.
I can't say I was shocked that Warriors made inquiries about Stephen Kearney.
After winning the World Cup with New Zealand, he's arguably the hottest young coaching talent in the game – the day Wigan stop being linked with the best would be worrying.
But now it's been revealed that Kearney declined to open
negotiations about the job, it's likely to trigger more conjecture, speculation and debate.
Publicly, chairman Ian Lenagan is keeping a stony silence, and privately those at the club are saying little more, other than the next few results could decide whether Brian Noble leaves at the end of this year or next.
But surely, uncertainty over the Wigan coaching job may affect those results. The on-going speculation can't be doing anyone any good – not the players, not the club and certainly not Noble himself.
And how long before the uncertainty begins to influence player recruitment?
Many clubs are already beginning to snap up players for next year – wouldn't a potential signing want to know who is coaching them?
There's a huge decision to be made – whether to give Noble a new contract, or to announce he will leave at the end of the year. Only Lenagan can make that call. I just hope it's done swiftly… for everyone's sake.
I'LL make a small bet: for all the talk of a hard-line stance over the overseas quota not long ago, by next season many Super League clubs will have more than the six they are each supposedly allowed.
It will all be above board, of course, because the system still has blatant loopholes and get-out clauses success-hungry clubs are quick to exploit.
When the salary cap was
discussed at a meeting last week, I was disappointed the RFL didn't decide to tackle it the best way – by rewarding clubs with financial incentives such as salary cap breaks for promoting home-grown players.
THE feelgood factor around Latics is showing no signs of relenting, with Spanish playmaker Jordi Gomez joining Roberto Martinez and Graeme Jones for what promises to be an exciting season at the DW Stadium.
Wigan beat off competition from several so-called massive clubs – including Newcastle and Celtic – to capture Gomez.
Sadly it looks as though Antonio Valencia will be moving on to pastures new. But with Martinez at the helm you get the feeling the astronomical transfer fee he would generate would be spent wisely, and maybe even another Valencia unearthed.
With the addition of another four or five quality players, maybe that dream of seeing Latics in Europe – shattered towards the tail end of last term – might not be such a long shot.
IT'S that time of year again. Two weeks when the tennis courts book up quickly, the Daily Mail complains about the grunts the female stars are making and the nation asks whether a Brit will finally win Wimbledon.
I seem to be in the minority in liking Andy Murray.
I can't understand those who don't want him to do well on the basis he's Scottish.
I feel more affiliation with Murray than I did with the extremely posh Tim Henman or that other great Brit, Greg 'Canadian' Rusedski.
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 09 September 2010
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 15 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
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