i said before last season more than once that we will be stronger and we would win silverware so i don't really care what other fans thought are chances were. shaun Wane and all the players said they will be aiming to win the grand final and they did. What did Wire do? We had already won the challenge cup and i believe we was still top of the league by a distance. I don't expect saints, leeds or warrington fans to say they reckon wigan will the grand final but that doesn't mean we over achieved just because other fans think they are experts on Wigan players.

Also what does Sam Tomkins have to do with the price of fish? but your right when he got injured we did struggle as the whole set up was to capitalize on Tomkins ability and Hampshire wasn't up to the task as he was still only 18. but are you seriously saying Matty bowen is up to it? if not the rest of the teams with there fullbacks are screwed.

We also struggled a lot more with out o'loughlin.

Bowen will have his games chosen for him and be rotated with Hampshire. Whichever way you look at it, Tomkins is a huge loss. I just can't see Wigan winning it this season. Richards, Tomkins and Hanson are three big players for you guys.

I think we may struggle in the forwards but i think the backs will be fine. I reckon we will win the league leader shield and maybe the challenge cup but i don't think we will win the grand final.

Im really looking forward to this season as i believe all the newbies have great promise and i can't wait too see who fulfills it.

Your pack is certainly up there with the best in the league I just think your back row lets it down with no real punch imo. Like I said keep Weyman fit and he'll be really good for you.
As for Whiting, most Hull fans would have him as first name on the team sheet each week. Has any other player in super league ever played in every position? I doubt it. He's not going to race 80 metres (although we did see it once away to Wakey) each week. But he does everything right with 100% commitment. Do under rated by opposition fans.
Not much between both clubs but I feel we're a little better than you and place one position above you in the league.

So why get upset about a comment from Ian Millward made more in his role as a betting pundit than an RL commentator?

I thought it was a good match up in the pack between Hull and Rovers on Sunday. Rovers bossed the field position when both first choice packs were on but that was mostly down to Hull's handling errors. We fronted in well on our line and both packs really got stuck in to each other.

I actually think that rather than Paea, Feka, Poore and Weyman, the guys to watch in those packs are Chris Green and Josh Bowden for Hull, and James Green and Jordan Cox for Rovers. All 4 are potentially future internationals imo, and I think they will all have big seasons.

I don't doubt any Hull fan would say their arch rivals will come above them in the league. I know Rovers fans who thought after the friendly performance at the weekend Hull would struggle this season! Personally I agree, the two Hull clubs are the best on paper to finish 7th and 8th but in what order I do not know or hazard a guess at.

What I do disagree with but appreciate you are entitled to your own opinion is our back row. Costigan, Larroyer and Langley might not be as flashy as Newton or Paterson but I do not think they need to be as we will be playing a different game plan.

I don't disagree with you.

However Catalans have their bases covered elsewhere, especially in the forwards, with only the performance of the halves a big question mark (Scott Dureau after his illness, and Leon Pryce in general).

That is why I conditioned my optimistic prediction for Catalans on Scott Dureau recapturing his 2012 form.

Wigan
Wire
Saints
Leeds
Huddersfield
Salford
Catalans
Hull
Hull KR
Castleford
Bradford
Wakefield
Widnes
London

Red Devils
Warriors
Dragons
Wolves
Saints
Rhinos
Giants
Hull FC
Rovers
Tigers
Bulls
Wildcats
Vikings
Broncos

Here follows the results of the tried and tested scrunched up paper tombola:

1. London
2. Wakefield
3. Hull FC
4. Wigan
5. Salford
6. Hull KR
7. Warrington
8. St Helens
9. Bradford
10. Castleford
11. Catalan
12. Widnes
13. Leeds
14. Huddersfield

You read it here first.

Fair point but before last season we lost Carmont, Finch, Leuluai, Hock, Lima and Fielden. We're more than well-prepared in replacing players.