For as long as the Wigan fans continue to revel in their team trying to prove how tough (stupid?) they are and wane trying to prove how passionate (stupid?) he is, they will find ways of reinforcing an already well established grub club reputation.

Eventually the penny should drop that the reputation of a proud club is being damaged, but I'm not holding my breath as they'll just fall back on their "everyone is just jealous" routine rather than seriously thinking about how embarrassing some of their antics are.

Christ, if you're blind to the criticism Wigan fans have dished out to the likes of Ben Flower and Matty Smith when they've let us down then you're a lost cause. I suppose next you'll claim Gaz Hock was the most popular player at the club.

Hate the use of the word 'Scum' to describe professional sportsmen playing a tough game. You only have to look in the newspapers and what's going on in the world to know that there's a lot worse people out there.
As a fan of a team that has featured the players like Sonny Nickle, Vila Matautia and many others who 'played the game hard' you shouldn't be so quick to get on your soapbox. ( also check out Alan Hunte trying to take Offiah out of the game on Utube, many would be demanding police action on here if Joel did that these days)
It gets on my nerves when players are called Scum. Far too harsh a word

Worse when it's aimed at a whole set of fans.

Like most neutrals, too, I reckon.
Wigan have got some good players, with enough skill to challenge any opposition on their day, which makes it all the more disappointing to see that they appear to be more interested in winning by constant niggling, laying on, moaning at the ref for penalties, etc.

Add in the more recent losses of Green, Taylor and Harrison from the 2013 winners and you can see the experience has been depleted and they guys above all tackled above their weight. They are missed and you can't expect the younger guys to fill their shoes straight up but they are trying to play that style and don't have the physique or skill set to be hard as nails and it is showing

Yes, our structured style has been key in filling the gaps left by seemingly irreplaceable players, and perhaps there is only so much that structure can help before inexperienced lads start to feel the cracks appearing, but I wouldn't go so far as to say we have reached a point where they are frustrated and losing their cool.

Besides the Flower incident our players have done nothing really out of the ordinary where discipline is concerned. Other teams still have their own hot heads, I've seen players from other teams twist joints, attack the head, and kick players in the face as they struggle free from the tackle, but it's fashionable to focus on Wigan right now and ignore the usual suspects as they carry on as normal.

Probably correct.

How confident are Wigan supporters about this season?

Not read the whole thread so apologies, but have either of Smith or Tomkins been called before the RFL yet?

Just had a butchers and there's no updated disciplinary on the RFL website yet

ven ifhe'd have got red, Smith would've been sending off sufficient.

I can't see them deeming what Tomkins did as bad enough for a potential ban, unless they take umbrage at the fact he chased one player, then went for another.

Wigan v Salford should be an interesting game this season... cant see there being much niggle though.

Smith has been charged with 15.1 Strikes, Kicks Grade B 1-2 matches therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?5898

Smith has been charged with 15.1 Strikes, Kicks Grade B 1-2 matches therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?5898