LEE Briers has paid tribute to the Wolves fans who travelled to Perpignan for Saturday's play-off defeat to Catalans Dragons.

Short notice, high travel prices and Wolves’ poor end-of-season form meant that less than 100 supporters were in Perpignan for the play-off exit, which was the club’s fifth straight defeat.

But Briers expressed his gratitude to those who did travel, having shared Jimmy Lowes’ frustration at the jeers aimed at the team a week earlier against Huddersfield.

About the travelling fans, Briers said: “I’ve got the absolute utmost respect for them.

“They’re the true supporters of Warrington Wolves, not the ones who come and boo us when we’ve got kids playing and putting in effort.

“The ones that came to France with five days’ preparation, they’re the fans. I know there will be fans at home who couldn’t make it through work but, to the fans that came to France, I’d like to thank them immensely from one to 17 and the coaching staff.

“They’re the fans we need to take us forward as a club.”

Outgoing Wakefield Academy coach Nigel Wright is believed to be among the candidates for Wolves’ vacant assistant coach role. Iestyn Harris has dropped out of the running after signing a playing deal with Featherstone.

Wolves continue to be linked with a move to bring in Apollo Perelini from St Helens as head of strength and conditioning to replace the departing Paul Stridgeon.

* Adrian Morley took first place in the Warrington Guardian’s top man ratings for the 2008 season.