Wigan Warriors regularly used to break the bank to buy the best players in the world.

Rugby League's glamour club got whoever they wanted.

They signed the finest players in Australia, the top talent in rugby union and cherry picked the ranks of their rivals.

Not any more though.

Wigan’s decade of total domestic domination in the 1980’s is a fading memory.

The glory days of the 90’s were not even witnessed by many of the club’s young fans.

These supporters now have to take the rough with the smooth.

Some don’t like but they have to live with it.

So what’s gone wrong?

The hands of coach Shaun Wane are tied somewhat.

The pursuit of silverware is certainly harder for Wane than it was for previous coaches who had the best players to pick from and vast cash reserves to fall back on.

Competition is now far tougher and it is good to see standards having risen in so many rival camps.

While nothing can detract from Wigan’s achievements, their one club monopoly of the major honours was becoming somewhat monotonous.

Change was needed.

A more level playing field had to be found to maintain widespread interest in the sport.

Maybe it’s now time for more change with Wigan currently in the same boat as every other club in being powerless to prevent players from chasing the big bucks in the NRL or being enticed to play rugby union.

Most schoolboys still dream of pulling on the famous cherry and white jersey but these are challenging times for Wane and Co. following successive defeats in Yorkshire.

Wane is heavily reliant on rookie talent and in some players who are possibly no better than those at the clubs who have captured Wigan’s prized scalp in recent weeks.

Wigan are in a dogfight.

It calls for players to stand up and be counted and to match their coach’s passion.

Wigan’s last two major signings have come from clubs who were relegated.

Wane has proved he can spot a player in his swoop for Bradford’s Jon Bateman and London’s Dan Sarginson but in the past, Greg Inglis and Sam Burgess would have been at Wigan by now.

Not any more.

Widnes are another club to have suffered and been forced to rebuild.

A salary cap increase and more international exposure surely has to happen not just for Wigan but for all clubs.

In the meantime, Wigan fans have to bite the bullet and back Wane to the hilt as he tries to turn boys into men in a matter of months as opposed to years.

It is no easy task and it is a test of the coach’s character but Wane loves the club and is clearly the best man for the job having worked with many of these lads when they arrived as schoolboys.

Mistakes will be plentiful from any young side.

Wigan may well have to take two steps backwards before they advance.

Poor results should not however have people pressing the panic button.

Heed the advice of neighbours Leigh who are building for the future and are patient according to coach Paul Rowley in their quest for lofty goals.

Saints have given their youngsters time.

Wigan and Wane need time and are still in transition.

The reality of Wane’s Wigan world is quite simple and frustration is evident.

Wane has just a handful of stars who are trying to put the club’s name in lights.

In the past, a galaxy of big-hitters reached for the sky in Wigan colours but times have changed and fans have to both realize and accept this.

As Rowley says, patience is paramount.

Whatever the year, Wigan will always be the team the rest want to beat.

Previous success made sure of this leaving the above mentioned handful of stars with much to do.

What Wane would give right now for a Dean Bell, a Kelvin Skerett and an Andy Gregory!

Three greats to name just a few - gone but not not forgetten.

Tough acts to follow but it’s a challenge Wane relishes and will not hide from.

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