What is shameful is taking the novelty out of the derby game by playing three matches in the regular season with the last one (my favourite away day) being a week before the play offs. Including CC and play off games that's far too familiar.

I will be watching on tv Friday whilst going out having a good time, safe in the knowledge that the same game could happen next week only it would have all the meaning in the world. First Wigan-Saints game I've missed in over 20 years other than for holidays, but I simply can't justify spending the travel and match ticket money on it.

2000 would be a fair effort given the game means almost nowt to your guys. It only means anything to us because we'll lift the hubcap(and that doesn't mean that much).

There's simply too many derbies nowadays and that doesn't help either. We're guaranteed 3 a year at the minute and for the 2nd year on the trot it looks like we'll get 5 or 6.

I remember a time when a derby seemed to take an age to come round, now it feels like there's one every few weeks!

Absolutely agree. I remember we used to occasionally play 4 or 5 a season back in the '80s too with the Lancashire Cup, JP Trophy, CC, Premiership and our usual pre-season friendly, but at least most of them were meaningful and impactful games that were eagerly anticipated. If either of us wins or loses heavily on Friday it hardly matters does it? Even if we meet in the playoffs the week after it still won't really matter as we'll still just have to do the same thing again 2 weeks later. And that's just sad... I used to eagerly look forward to every derby game, even when we had a **** team and loads of injuries and knew for a fact that you were just inevitably going to humiliate us again - I still looked forward to it. I couldn't really care less if whether I watch Friday's game or not....

I for one wouldnt be going if it wasnt included in the season ticket, i think 2000 is a decent figure considering we will probably play each other next week. Even next week will be pointless because of the second chance stuff, the play off structure needs a complete overhaul. Getting pretty bored of the derby too, if we meet in the play offs it will have been 12 fixtures in 2 seasons, its losing its prestige for me (even if we do smash you again )

I,ve been to 2 derby's already this season, so I,m restricting myself to one more game out a possible 3, which will be the game that matters. In theory Friday is a nothing game if Catalans are expected to win, which means we have another nothing game the week after.
Reckon we will miss out on a grand final appearance this year unless Wellens plays scrum half.

That's your football mentality. The day we as Rugby League fans can't stand/sit together without it "getting messy" would be a very sad day for our game.

On the most part, RL fans are fantastic as was shown by the Hull KR fans we were talking to when we were in the Well on Sunday.

As a Wigan fan, it wouldn't enter my head to not go in the North Stand in case something happened if I was looking to buy a ticket for the game.

Overkill is definitely playing a part In the apathy towards this game.
However the fact that we are so boringly one dimensional these days Is a bigger factor IMO.
I am beginning to get concerned at my own disinterest In the game at the mo. I really hope Nathan Brown can bring back the style of Rugby that gets me counting the days down to the next game.

Your club were selling tickets in the 'Wigan End' to home fans at least a week before the Good Friday game.

And will be selling season tickets in there next year I believe.

If this situation was the other way round, there wouldn't be a thread like this on the Wigan board. 2000 max away fans for a derby, when a win for you guys secures 3rd spot isn't anything to be proud of IMO.

I fully understand their reasons for not going, but the fan in me couldn't miss a Wigna Saints game no matter how little it so called meant. It COULD be the last time we meet this year and your only win. I'd want to be there "just in case"

But that season ticket gives you a seat in the north stand for games against yourselves, Warrington and Hull KR. It's only because the only home standing end is sold out, so we need to give our fans the option of standing at games.

Anyone criticising fans for not attending this game needs to give their head a wobble.

People can only afford to go to so many rugby league matches and, with potentially 3 playoff games and a Grand Final in the next month, tonight's fixture doesn't come too high up the list.

Oh, and it's on TV.

That i think is also a silly idea.

I think that emotion can boil over in these games, both on and off the pitch. I can't imagine it taking much to grate on someone if a mouthy person starts piping up when his/her team is winning. I wouldnt say there'd be out and out brawling going on but id expect the stewards to be looking a bit closer tonight.