I agree CM, Wigan have gone up a gear in the big games and their attack and defence is head and shoulders above the rest of us.

They do look like a team capable of doing the treble.

I'd love a day out at Wembley watching saints in a challenge cup final but I hope to god it's not against the pies!

Agree with you that wire were leaderless. Mon did his best but the rest didn't look convinced.

Where I really disagree is the goons being on for the double. This is the wigoon team that really struggled in the last round against bratfud?
They looked very vunerable at times today around the middle and around the edges. The solomona injury was a defining moment when the momentum of the game went back to wigoon.

I think a better analysis is that neither team were much good in defence - some of the tries were absolutely awful from a defensive point of view.
I've no problem meeting the goons in the semi (providing we bear the dobbids) as they don't look unbeatable.

How richards got MOM is beyond belief - it was surely bambi's by a mile!!

I also can't agree that dire are a spent force - the league decider is against the goons the week after wembley so if the goons get there they will get the traditional thrshing that finalists get especially if the goons win the cup; by that stage the two leaders / old timers will prob be back to put some steel into their side.

Wigan's defence was 'head and shoulders above' but they conceeded 24 points ? I think some people are getting carried away.They are a very good side but I would love another crack at them with something like a full strength team to pick from.

Agreed.

And Warrington blew lots of chances not to mention forgot how to tackle. Hodgson had a mare as well and couldn't remember how to convert tries at the time doing so would have made a real difference.

Bring it on

Are we an excellent or "decent but ultimately unsuccessful club"?

You don't seem to know.

Do you know anything about RL or do you close your eyes when Wigan play??

Wigan are just too structured for me, that's all. Even though Wire lost today - in part due to their woeful defence - I prefer their less structured attacking play, especially when Briers is on the field. Wigan just do the same things every match! And Tomkins invariably does his jinking run. Mind you, without him doing his jinking runs, you wouldn't have won the number of matches you have. Him and Pat Richards must have a hand in most of your tries. It seems that way anyway.

Personal preference, that's all. Warrington at their best beat Wigan at their best hands down for me.

Mate you won't win any arguments on here from the Saints myopia association. I am with you - Wigan were awesome today and are a very very effective side. They are tough and effective in every aspect of the game and even as a Saints fan, but more so a fan of RL when it's played well, I take my hat off to them. Well coached, good players and an ethic that works.

Any team will have their work cut out to stop them winning the lot this year. If they win it in the manner they displayed today they'll deserve it.

Totally agree!

Wane got some big shoes to fill.

Translation: I feel deeply inadequate.

Will you can be decent and excellent but unsuccessful, a good example being Saints who have an excellent side that has played decent rugby but hasnt won anything this last few years.

Looking at Wire
King is going at the end of the season, Briers, Hodgson and Morley will soon be picking up a pension.
Michael Monaghan and Gareth Carvell are also the wrong side of 30 as is Mickey Higham
Thats pretty much the core of your side gone within 2 -3 years.

Do you have the depth and quality of youngsters coming through that can slot in, as has been shown at Wigan and Saints?

I have a lot of friends who are Wire fans and have had the same debate with them. They are good to watch this year but I feel if they are gonna win SL they have to do it this year. Their squad is ageing and their coach doesn't have a habit of hanging around long term.