So, seven league games now played, which is a quarter of the way through the season. How are we all feeling? For me, it has been disappointing and I feel we have regressed a bit from last season rather than kicked on. Recruitment has been weak, Vegas was every bit as damaging as I feared it would be, and the subsequent home loss to Wakey was probably the most typically Wire moment of the year so far. Our two wins against Saints and the comeback victory over Leeds created a bit of feelgood factor, but the truth is we were still far from convincing. We can maybe point to the Vegas trip and injuries as mitigating factors, and of course we are still in the cup, and you feel we have enough talent to beat anyone on our day. But too often it's not our day. There's still a long way to go, but it feels to me like Leigh this week is a huge game. Win and we are back in the mix. Lose and I will start fearing that we might not even make the top six.

Must do better. Feel I have been saying that for last 15 years. For the most part we turn up for games against Saints and Wigan apart from the Vegas game, I’m sorry that’s just not good enough. I watch all our games and win or lose you can see the effort levels.


I can accept a loss if you can see they tried but so many times I’ve turned around and said to the guy next to me they have stolen a wage today. I get it that on the day the other team could be having the game of their lives, but that does not stop you from trying. They are getting paid to play and the fans are paying to watch. Fans at least need to see effort.


I have been concerned about this season from early on and have heard some stories that if there is any truth in them would make my blood boil. Of course I don’t know the truth so no point printing what I have been told but none the less it bothers me. In my opinion we are a long way off from being as professional as Wigan and most likely HKR now.

It is a worry for me. Cos I don't really see it as an effort thing and I don't think,for example, that a good rollicking at half time (vs. Hull) would have done much good. 
I am more concerned that we are simply not as good as the top three clubs and that we could lose even on a decent day to about 4 others. If we lost Williams we'd be pretty clueless on attack and our defence has is not up to the level of last year. Other clubs seemed to have recruited the odd strong runner but I think we've got left behind in this respect. Not good I'm afraid ... just hope I am being too pessimistic.

Yes we are backwards on 2024 in both squad and performances.  Our recruitment was nothing short of atrocious for a club that was already provably behind Wigan and Hull KR in 2024. How they thought they would close the gap with those signings beggars belief.  Chambers is not inspiring me on the recruitment front even if he is Mr Warrington. (Either he's responsible for new talent acquisition in which he is failing, or it's a puppet appointment which he has accepted).


Also I'm beginning to think that perhaps Sam Burgess is not the messiah we all hoped for. I'm not calling for his exit but neither am I thinking we must extend his contract past October 2026 unless we get a tangible achievement - and I'm not talking about a 4 game cup. Seems the Burgess effect is wearing off. We don't look well coached in 2025.  He won't be doing his NRL coaching prospects any good for sure with this output. He is getting surly in front of the camera when interviewed and it starting to wheel out the same phrasing following defeats. Clearly he is not a hugely effective communicator (outwards) and the prestige and aura will only last so long. Then we get the feeling we are not a happy ship. Rumours abound of fall outs, players misbehaving, players we know are dropped for disciplinary reasons etc. Not a recipe for success is it?

I know we are all desperately wishing to see something "click" and us turn into world beaters, but I fear we are deluding ourselves. There is just something in our club that persists decades, coaches and individual players. Call it culture or whatever. Something is missing. Sure we can make playoffs, but then that's your lot. Promise then inevitable failure. Sort of "meh", "there or thereabouts" (it's always "thereabouts" by the way). It's clear to me the players play when they want, and they seem to like the trip to Wembley (easier to win and doesn't require consistent effort over 8 months). They like making noises about Grand Finals but deep down I don't think any one of them either believes they can win one or are committed to do everything and anything it takes to do so. 


But that's OK. They owe me nothing, nor me them. They can keep their embarrassing gimmicks, self congratulatory back slaps, banging the drum in the changing room, giddy talk about emulating NFL clubs marketing(!), beatification of mollycoddled players as legends, and employment for all the old boys in comfy jobs. Following all the hype the club perennially, collectively, and conclusively fail when it matters and yet have the gall to look confused as to the reason why and promising "this is not the standard we set". It's exactly the bloody standard we set.  We are the also rans, the Tottenham Hotspurs, the Williams F1, the Tim Henman's of this world, plain and simple. What's worse is that the club are in denial. 
 
I only keep engaged as the Wire are a link to my late Dad and it reminds me of the time I used to watch them home and away in the 80s and 90s when as a young boy I was proud to be associated with them. I'm not proud anymore. 

Remember the comments from Kyle Amour as he left the club. They appear to still correct. We seem to be headed down the Paul Cullen route with Burgess if the rumours are true.


The team have regressed beyond belief from last year. Is that due to poor recruitment or injuries?


Going forward, it doesn't look good for us by way of winning trophies. Burgess is definitely having second-season syndrome.

So what do the club do, they decide it?s good to make fun of Derek Beaumont in the latest round of stupid things that often come and bite us on the backside lmfao.

I don't have Instagram but I saw something puerile with a model of Beaumont and titled "Club Moaner". Is that it?

Christ we are soooo cheap and classless. 

The signings were a real worry as is Burgess persistence with Crowther. Nothing against Crowther but he came in and did exactly the job we needed at the time but he can?t be anything other than a squad player now due to him being VERY limited. Burgess? love-in with him is concerning. 


We knew losing Nicholson and Bateman was massive (to the point where I thought last season would be our best chance for a while). Replacing both of those with just Russell was pitiful. 


The 99.9% passing to Dufty on the 5th is really beginning to irk me and as has been stated without Williams we?d be scrapping it out with Salford and Huddersfield. 

That Beaumont social media post is truly pathetic and embarrassing. It sums up our unprofessional attitude. And whenever we come up with crud like that, we always get our backsides handed to us. Grow up Wire, for God's sake.

Heard no Williams for Saturday due to injury..don't know what the injury is if it is true.. without him could be a very painful watch on Saturday 

Excellent post, and your point about Sam's surly demeanour is spot on. However frustrated he might be, getting snarky with interviewers helps nobody.

Williams was hobbling about towards the end of the Hull game.