I accept what you are saying. I am just saying that with regards the win percentage, you would probably have lost some of them anyway, even with him, as missing other players also played a part in the loss.

Fair point. Smith is at best an average place kicker who is causing a lot of concern on the Wigan boards. My view is that he will improve in time because he has the technique and also the bottle to do the job well - though not as well as Richards.

Richards was superb for you,it's bad enough to concede try's to any team but when you know the likes of richards and sinfield etc etc will usually kick the conversion . It makes conceding points even more painful.
I remember frano botica, the amount of close games he won for Wigan was tremendous . Reference botica and richards I think on balance botica would be the slightly better of the two.

Frano was a half back who in his early Wigan days played out on the wing purely because he could kick. I don't think modern day coaches would be too keen on doing that. You have to get in the team on merit first.

It's tricky because Richards became a good kicker over time. When he came over he wasn't Wests regular kicker - I think it was Brett Hodgson - and he made himself indispensible. To be honest if he couldn't kick I'm not sure he would have lasted at Wigan as long as he did.

Wests are benefitting from him again now. The commentators wet themselves every time he kicks off!!

To nick a This Week in Leagueism Flanders would be captain of the tampon all stars!

In for 1 week out for 3

I think Wigan have had the weakest squad out of the top 4 or 5 teams for the last couple of years, I was amazed they won the double last year. But the fact that they did, & the style they did it (CC final excepted), has to be largely down to Wane.

That's a reasonable assertion (although any squad with Sam Tomkins and SOL in it can hardly be weak - but I get your point)

Hull FC fans were looking forward to the game last Friday as they saw the Wigan team and reckoned they had a good chance. Come the game and they were so outclassed it isn't true. So a lot of this is down to Wane. But you need the players to put the plans in place.

I think a lot of opposition fans have been guilty of underrating the Wigan lads. Two examples - Matty Smith; just because he left Saints as surplus to their requirments, doesn't mean he can't improve, and he has, quite dramatically - secondly, McIlorum - most fans see him as a thug who can't play, but it is getting to the point now were he continually outplays Roby (for one) in almost every game.

I for one do not underestimate this current Wigan side, which ever team wane turns out is extremely well drilled and motivated.

Edited for accuracy.

Now if only we had Ryan Bailey....

You can have him

That would be an interesting partnership with Mcilorum, more so if you still had hock!!.

Despite his many and various misdemeanors I never really thought of Gaz as niggly - more just an out and out hardcase. Looking forward to seeing him at the Etihad tbh. Definitely a case of...if only(!) - because he is one of the most talented forwards I've seen at Wigan - certainly in the last decade.

Every time I have watched Salford on sky this season hock has been outstanding .

He is outstanding. He was the same at Widnes last season too.

He is a crackcase in the head though, and people over look his talent because of this. I also don't like the guy because of how he acts. But talent wise, you are hard pushed to find a better UK back rower in last ten years.

I understand why Wigan were easily persuaded to let him go, but at same time understand It must have being hard for all concerned there to see such an asset go.