JUST when we thought everything had quietened down for Christmas!

News of Steve Price’s contract extension comes as the perfect early present for everyone of a Wire persuasion – including us here at the Guardian.

The club badly needed a breath of fresh air this time last year – a fresh start all round. Price has provided it, and some.

READ > Price signs new Warrington Wolves deal

PHOTO GALLERY > Price's first year in charge in pictures

The words “tough and resilient” have been thrown around a lot since he arrived in England, and they have become a byword for this Warrington side.

Deep down, plenty of Wire fans would have accepted top-eight consolidation after a disastrous 2017. We all went into the season with hope rather than expectation.

In getting to both major finals, Price got much more out of the tools at his disposal than anybody expected.

His attention to detail is meticulous, while fans love the passion he displays at games. He genuinely cares.

For what was achieved this year with a squad that was not really all his, he has deserved this new deal.

Now, though, with a group of players that is more in his image, there will be increased levels of expectation to deal with.

While very few predicted what happened in 2018, it will be hard to find any rugby league follower who will not envisage at least a top-five finish for The Wire next year.

However, Price does not concern himself with that as he expects as much from himself and from his team. After all, there is no pressure greater than the pressure you put on yourself.

Above all else, what this new deal can be seen as is the head coach leading by example.

It has never really been implied that he was ever thinking about heading back to Australia, but the fact his contract only had a year to run brings a natural uncertainty.

If this was allowed to run into the season, the danger would have been that speculation may have superseded on-field matters.

By committing his future to the club for the long term, it sends out the right message to players and fans alike.

“This is the place to be, now follow my lead…”