Warrington Wolves fan panel looks ahead to 2024 season

Featuring some returning panellists and some new additions, we will be featuring fans' opinions after every Warrington Wolves match throughout the year.

It's not too late to join - if you're interested in joining our Fan Panel, get in touch with our Wire reporter Matt Turner by emailing matthew.turner@nqnw.co.uk or by sending him a direct message on Twitter (X) @MattTurner_WG

Here is what five of our panel members have said about the season ahead for The Wire under Sam Burgess and the Round One trip to Catalans Dragons...

ROB CROSTON

AFTER another season to forget from Warrington Wolves, we move onto 2024 where, as Wire fans, we welcome another ‘new era’.

With legendary player Sam Burgess at the helm, can he be the man to make Wire a success story?

Warrington with the squad they have and always spend at the top end of the salary cap, would expect to be right up there challenging for trophies.

However, the past two seasons have flattered to deceive and Wire fans renew their season tickets in the hope that they will finally see it being ‘their year.’

Warrington is a passionate rugby league town, with the history of the town and the rugby league side going hand hand in hand. However, it has been far too long between drinks for the Wire faithful, waiting to raise those glasses high.

Can Wire write their own page in history and be that squad? They are more than capable, they have the talent there and also have good breed of young hungry players coming through.

However, seeing the performance and result of last weekend’s pre-season friendly against Leigh has left the fans in a slight haze as to whether this year is going to be much of the same, with a very average run put against a Leigh side who seem to have set their stall out pretty early on.

The town of Warrington has been gripped with ‘Luke The Nuke’ fever, he is taking the sporting world by storm with his no-nonsense style and digging in to compete and win.

If The Wire are to be serious title contenders, they need to adapt ’The Nuke’s’ style and show the competitive nature he shows and adapt that to Super League.

Over to you, Class of 2024 – give us reason to believe.

JOHNNY GORDON

Who knows what to expect in all honesty?

Friendly or not, the Leigh game was extremely disappointing so hopefully that doesn’t set the tone for the year ahead.

The appointment of Sam Burgess was certainly an interesting one! It will either turn out to be an absolute masterstroke or an unmitigated disaster – there won’t be any in between.

I can’t say I’m overly impressed with our on-field recruitment either with the exception of Lachlan Fitzgibbon – he should go really well over here.

I can’t see us getting anywhere near Wigan and Saints unfortunately, but we have got an exciting crop of youngsters coming through so there needs to be a clear pathway for them to showcase their talent.

I really like Leon Hayes so hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to see him partnering George Williams in the halves on a regular basis.

The old fixture computer hasn’t done us any favours in terms of our Round One opponent but I’m looking forward to it nonetheless – see you in France!

PETER SMITH

I have been watching Wire since I was about 5 years old when my Dad took me along to watch in 1957.

See the picture below of Brian Bevan's last match in 1962 – myself and my sister are in the corner right next to the flag (I have my right arm in the air).

Here's our Fan Panel member Peter Smith watching Brian Bevan touch down for Wire (Image: Contributed)

I have supported them ever since even though I have lived 150 miles away for the last 47 years. My sister lives in Stockton Heath and still follows The Wire.

I am looking forward to the season more than normally due to the fact that I will be able to see all games on TV.

Not really a clue if we'll perform better this year or against Catalans, but you've got to have hope.

LOUIS BANKS

my name is Louis, I’m 42 from Culcheth and have been watching Warrington since Super League started.

I have seen some really low times when we narrowly avoided relegation back at Wilderspool to being constantly challenging for trophies, whether that be Challenge Cups, League Leaders’ Shields or trips to Old Trafford – I was at the game versus Catalan at the Olympic stadium in Barcelona which was an amazing experience.

I’m hoping the new style of coaching will change the club culture and the way players want to play for the badge not just the money.

I think big Sam has the knowledge to get us competing but next year will be the real test with a few players needing to step up to the plate or leave as it’s an inherited squad.

MARK ROBINSON

My name is Mark, I’m coming up to 62 and have been a fan since I was eight.

Wilderspool will always been home for me – the HJ has not come close to the atmosphere of Wilderspool in its pomp.

My favourite players have been Jonathan Davies, John Bevan, Michael Monaghan Lee Briers when Smith sorted him out and I have to add Simon Grix for one of the greatest tries I have seen when he dummied Hardaker to shape to kick and then step all at speed.

For the upcoming season, it goes without saying it has to be a big improvement on what we saw last year.

For me, the Josh McGuire incident was cause of the demise (one day, a book will appear) and there didn’t appear to be any team togetherness.

I thought we looked under-done in Joe Philbin’s Testimonial and that worries me a little.

Going into the first game against Catalan, they are a new team also so this may be the best time to get them and get a boost for the season.

Overall, I genuinely feel we are a top-four team, let’s see how we get on. P.S. I fancy us to beat the Dragons!