Never really felt like a derby to me in the past, don't know if that's down to them being newly promoted and us winning things, however now they have improved and we have slipped off and likely won't win any silverware, then it does feel more derby like this time. I didn't like losing at home to them last year, and this year I think they will bring a lot more fans confident of a win, and I would hate to see how smug they would be if they pull it off.

Hope the players feel the same and react, important game

Just playing devils advocate here Duckie, but it wasn't the stewards which set off 2 smoke bombs one of which was thrown towards the pitch and hit one of their own fans..

MikeyW throwing a smoke bomb isn't in the spirit of the game and a spoiling tactic I don't condone.
But although there could be some danger it is very unlikely.

Regardless of if he did throw the smoke bomb the action or if you prefer reaction from that Steward didn't warrant it. It was perhaps the worst assault I've ever witnessed at live sport ever.
The fan was rowdy but never hit anyone. That steward hit him in his face over and over. It was sickening to watch. I was stood less that 4 metres from it.

Big, big question?

Whos your kicker? Ratchford? I had him in my team last week and Bridge kicked. I've gone for Tickle for Widnes, Hopefully get some goals

the main derby for me is wigan,,hate losing to that lot.widnes is just another game same as when we played leigh years ago and salford...its true what some are saying tho it has more of a derby feel from the widnes lot,maybe they get a kick out of beating a bigger club

I wish people would stop saying this doesn't feel like a true derby and it's not that important to beat widnes. This IS our derby and its about time smith and the players started to treat it accordingly. Personally, a defeat to this lot hurts more than any other. No true warrington fan EVER wants widnes to win and that includes when they are playing wigan or saints.

Really couldn't care less how we fare against Widnes. It's a zero emotion game.

Very mixed views from your lot. This is definitely the biggest game for me, the one I look forward to more than other. Would love nothing more than to see a strong Widnes and Warrington derby year after year

The fans, atmosphere, the rivalry, the game. Look forward to it more than Catalans away and magic weekend. Doing the double last year felt amazing and I know it hurt a few of you.

Hope it's a cracking game for all to see and can sooner rather than later rekindle its name for the best derby in the game.

I couldn't care less about the fact it's Widnes, I consider the games against Saints & Wigan much more absorbing, but what I do care about is getting a result AND a performance because this team really, really, really needs one.

Cas away on Monday looks very tough, so this weekend could well be pivotal.

Never considered the Widnes game as any different to say Salford or Huddersfield, just another game that I want us to win.

We do need to put in an eighty minute performance though, just to gain some confidence. So far this season the only glimmer of form was the second half against Huddersfield.

Those fans that tell us this is not a true derby were probably not around to see the derbies in the 70's, 80's and 90's, both sides had players that the others disliked somewhat. There were battles all over the pitch and in most cases the stands too



The hardtimes that Widnes suffered whosever making they were have perhaps dumbed down a truley great derby. Two stongish sides again will reverse this trend.

Wouldn't normally be that fussed about a Widnes game. However having lost to Wigan Saints and Leeds already i can't deal with a loss tomorrow.

I couldn't agree more with you and Moe Syslak it must be an age thing?

Widnes have caused me more pain watching RL and that includes Saints and their hoodoo malarkie, perhaps I got over ihat by 'tipping my hat' to them as a better team. Whereas losing to Widnes isn't an option I'd care to consider writing off as just like losing to Hudderrsfield....

NOW THE WIRE!!

I think the Wire game to Widnes fans is the same as the Wigan game to us.

As above, think its an age thing. Losing to our three eyed friends hurts just as much as Saints and Wigan for me.

I dont know how some people class it the same as playing teams like Huddersfield.

Well said Rico and LW. Anybody over the age of 40 who classes this as a zero emotion game or no different to salford needs to have a word with themselves. As for those youngsters, go and talk to a warrington fan who attended the premiership semi at naughton park in the summer of 1988 and they will tell you what a true derby atmosphere is like. There has NEVER been a game in my lifetime(including any game with saints or wigan)with an atmosphere as intense. Even the Hull clubs wouldn't be able to match what it was like there that day.

I am 39 and i remember as a kid the importance of these games.Les Boyd and Kurt Sorenson where top battles and i remember there was pitch battles with opposite fans too.

I could be arrogant and say Leigh was not a big game now, but i love to play the local teams with a atmosphere. If Widnes stay up for a few years and expand these games could get bigger again.Once we regularly hit the top 8 and Warrington too, it will be a massive game.

Teams like Huddersfield, London, Bradford,Salford, Castleford and other clubs be lucky to bring over 200 to Widnes.
Warrington,Wigan and Saints bring the best following.

This is the derby for me,after a horrific experience at the nortonautoqueststobartselect stadium last year I will not be going to the game. But adds extra spice as my wife is a widnes fan

Reading the posts about Widnes fans being animals...whoahhhh hold on a minute!!! Whilst I don't condone throwing the smoke bombs, the Widnes lad who got filled in by that numpty of a steward didn't throw the smoke bombs. For the steward to get one of his steward mates to hold the lads hands behind his back whilst he filled him in was nothing short of disgraceful..what a coward. And then outside of the stadium Widnes fans were singing and celebrating the victory and certain Wire scumbags couldn't resist getting in the middle of our celebrations and starting fights with innocent Widnes fans. I think you need to take a look at yourselves, yous are from a nice bunch!!!!

I was about to agree with you then you trolled about wire being scumbags.

Every game since we have been back up (2012-) against the wire, has been a pretty tasty atmosphere on each occasion. Not condoning trouble or any type of violence however, but definitely a bit more spice. About 2006 ish, I attended two Stains V Wire games, and whilst there was the atmosphere was probably much better at those games, the feeling of dislike didn't seem to surface. However I am neither Saints or Wire so perhaps I am wrong. I know Wire and Wigan are not overly fond of each other going back a long time.

I think he must have been singing and some Wire fans jumped in for no reason, but to cause trouble. Their is idiots in Widnes and Warrington fans to be honest. So i would say always a minority, and most are geniuine. Anyway hopefully a good game and the best side win.

was there that day and i agree with you about how intense the atmosphere was..but if i had the choice of victory over wigan or victory over widnes id choose the pie gobblers every time..also recall the hatred against wigan in the cc semi at maine road,that was on a par with the widnes semi

I'm of an age (modesty forbids) when I can well remember the feeling between Wires & Widnes back in the 70s and 80s particularly but here's why I have always preferred Wigan & Saints games.

The feeling between Warrington & Widnes isn't just rivalry it is intense, violent, ugly HATRED and I don't want any part of that.

I've always loathed Wigan but I also cheered them to the rafters against Bath, Brisbane and Sydney, and I share the same emotions for Saints. I love beating them (especially Saints after the wilderness years), I love seeing them slip up against "lesser" teams but I also admire them. That is rivalry, that is sport.

The only thing I care about in the Widnes game is two points, and everyone there for the rugby getting out in one piece.

I'm 40+ and couldn't give a monkey's about Widnes.

For me and all my group of similarly aged fans it will always be Wigan that we see as the biggest, and most enjoyable, matches of the season.

The match I've enjoyed most at Widnes was the 2009 semi-final.