The issues between Mike Gregory and Wigan management are documented in his book Biting Back. However, the issue of MG and the Wigan club culture is an interesting one, as his brief time there was a foreshadowing of the transformation in culture that ultimately became so successful under Shaun Wane.

Wigan before MG took over had been a "galactico" club. They'd dominated in the 80s and 90s but in the early years of Super League they were trying to replicate that without the same success, bringing in big names on big money who didn't always fit. A few years ago I had the chance to talk to an ex Wigan player who was there at the time. He said that basically MG came in and had a very different approach, no egos, no hierachies and very inclusive to the younger players who were treated the same as the rest with no pandering to stars. He brought in a 'rip and tear' culture focused on being physically and mentally very tough but at the same time placing a big importance on how players conducted themselves and behaved around the community. MG was very popular with the squad at the time especially the young players and set standards by how he behaved to people around the club, to kitman, cleaners and non playing staff. They got to the Grand Final in his first year and his second year started with young guys like O'Loughlin, Robinson making a big leap forwards.

Then unfortunately he got ill and subsequently was replaced by Millward who completely messed it all up. He came in with a big ego, was hierachical, antagonistic to young players and a lot of players got disillusioned. The squad stopped playing for him and they started getting thrashings and nearly getting relegated till Noble saved them. All of the MG transformation of Wigan from being the galactico club to one based around young players and a culture of hard work and personal integrity was lost.

But ultimately Shaun Wane who has a similar mindset to MG brought that approach back and you saw how successful it was and how he was able to build a very resilient team who won some Grand Finals in seasons where they had stacks of injuries and needed to bring a lot of young players in to the club quickly. Wane is not as outwardly friendly/personable as MG but he does have similar values and Wigan has been remade as a club.

NEVER gave less than 100% for Wire, local lad done good, go well mate.

Cobblers, he plays for Wigan now. I hope he gets flattened on his first hit up.

I'd rather Wigan won this one for league table purposes, it won't feel right seeing cooper in the wigan side though.

No need?

Knock on and penalty in his first two touches. Ah well.

Agent bad apple destroying Wigan from the inside? Wonder if there is another we could send to saints?

In all honesty I don't like Cooper in a Wigan shirt or Briers in their coaching staff.

Standard Cooper 2022 performance - gave a few penalties away, knock ons, couple of eye catching runs and at fault for the final try.

I don’t believe there was anything sinister with Cooper seemingly shipped out, fuelling the ‘bad apple’ postings.

Powell and Cooper just don’t get on.
I’m going to give Fitzpatrick credit for probably doing what was in the best interest for Mike initially, (Coops didn’t have to go Wigan if he chose not too), rather than as an excuse to get Dufty in early.

Correct opinion. When he has retired and water has passed under the bridge, we can and will speak fondly of him and his fine Warrington career.

In the meantime, he has signed for Wigan and declared it a 'great honour' to play for them. I hope it is an unmitigated disaster. Last night was a good start.

Did he "tear Leeds a new one" ?

Obviously saving himself........

I think he'll play well against us but so be it, his ex team mates know what to expect and need to match/better it. I don't expect anyone to be intimidated by Cooper to the point of them being in awe, like fawning teenagers at a Donny Osmond concert.

Those days remind me of my dads evening paper being lowered, when a certain dance troupe were on the magic telebox on a Thursday evening.

TBH the Wigan game is a bit of a dead rubber for us - we need to be beating teams in the lower half, rather than (on this occasion) busting ourselves to beat Wigan.

Absolutely, two league points from tonight's game is vital, and could allow a player or two with a knock, to be rested against Huddersfield and Wigan.
Then they'll be ready for the other important game against Toulouse.