If you dont get humour then I guess I'll be wasting my time trying to explain.

Bilko is right IMO. Having watched the game back a few times, Wigan control that game for 60 of the 80 minutes. Wire have a whirlwind 15 minutes which they score all their points off 4 consecutive sets, 2 from penalties and a knock on from Charnley. Also, on the back of a 6-1 penalty count.

Before that Wigan had carved up Riley's wing on 3 occasions and should have scored. The momentum was with Wigan before Ratchford's injury, the turning point IMO was the charge down at 16-6, just the bounce of the ball. If Wire pick that up they stroll under the posts and its 22-6, instead Wigan score on the next set and the game has changed.

In the first half where, in Tony Smith's words you were "carrying out your game plan well" Wire made 70 more metres than Wigan from 6 more play the balls, so very even. Wigan were much the fitter side and eventually that shone through.

This is all very true, but it's not the whole truth though is it? You cannot ignore that during the 60 minutes that Wigan were dominant 41 of them we were without our main 'strike' winger, 30 of them without our fullback and 3rd prop (Harrison). For 30 of them we played with one available interchange meaning that Gareth Carvell had to play on despite having a broken rib.

You can't review the game and pass comment on the reasons for Wigans win without at least acknowledging Warringtons injuries were significant.

So let's get this right - Wire have a whirlwind 15 minutes and score 16 points, Wigan dominate the other 65, 40 of which are against a side in general disarray, and score their 30 points (28 of which are during that period of disarray)?? ...... Now, I suppose you can interpret that a couple of ways, but for me it highlights that the vital point of Saturday's match was the injuries.

Of course, I'm not saying Wire would have won if Monaghan and Ratchford stay fit, but the second half at least would have been a different sort of game - Yes, Wigan may have still had superior fitness and that may have been a deciding factor, but Wire would have been a lot more organised in defence and would definitely have had more threat in attack, which was non-existent in the final 40 minutes.

What's quite flattering from some of these Wigan supporters comments, is that Wire basically never performed, and yet Wigan only managed to win by 14 points - That really isn't a bad show if true??....

Of course they played a big part, as soon as I saw Briers at full back I thought we'd win comfortably. What I am saying is the momentum was with Wigan before Ratchford's injury. 16-2 was a false score line if you like, it was a very even first half and could have gone in the sheds at 3 tries apiece.

It is getting the balance right, Wire fans might say injuries were the reason whereas Wigan will say fitness shone through. It was a bit of both. Do I think Wigan would have won without the injuries? Yes due to the missed chances of the 1st half, they're were always points in Wigan. That is my opinion but can see why Wire fans would say they would have won, both have merit.

Christ, there's some rubbish posted on this thread.

So to get this straight. With both sides at full strength Warrington scored 3 tries whereas, through a combination of their own ineptitude and Warringtons defence, Wigan scored none. Wigan only started to actually put the ball down (you get no points for missed chances) after Warrington started to pick up injuries, but injuries didn't affect who actually lifted the trophy? Yes there were always going to be points in that Wigan side, but a fit Wire team would always have plenty of points in them too.

IMO, which is just as valid but equally just as worthless as anyone else's, we would have won comfortably had we kept a fit 17 players throughout the 80 minutes. We didn't, we lost, and Wigan ran out worthy winners. But to say it is simply down to Wigan's class, desire, commitment, etc. is naïve in the extreme.

All chip paper now. Another 12 months (minimum) of being reminded that it's "always our year" (apparently). But I can't wait for it all to start again.

C'mon the Wire.

I have said injuries had a BIG EFFECT on the game. I am saying the momentum was already with Wigan before the 51st min (Ratchford's injury), Wires forwards looked knackered. This was typified by Carvell getting done at marker for a penalty (I know he had an injury he was out on his feet) and Mcilorum strolling under the sticks.

There were 2 huge moments before that charge down that also conspired to changing the course of the game. Firstly, Wire put a little kick through that Atkins gathers and on many occasions would use his pure size to get over the top of Tomkins but Tomkins pulls off a cracking tackle close to the line. Secondly, at the end of the set Wire put a kick in to our ingoal that Farrell does well to gather and he somehow manages to jig his way out of trouble.

Those were the 2 pieces of skill that I really felt altered the course of the game (aside from Monaghans injury. I do feel Wigan had got right on top before Ratchfords injury and they didn't see enough ball in the 2nd half to stop the rot with or without him).

Essentially the same thing that happened last year, happened this year.

Wire got into a lead, then made errors and gave away penalties, gifting the opposition field position. Who use it to go in front. The opposition don't return the favour, so wire are trapped until the opposition see the game out.

This is worthy of read and may make one or two have a bit of a re-think about their comments. www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... ship_hunt/ Thankfully it is unusual to pick up so many injuries in one game. Squad would not last long if it happened more than once. I'm sure Wigan will also have a few problems ... but it really was an injury nightmare for Wolves.

This is worthy of read and may make one or two have a bit of a re-think about their comments. www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... ship_hunt/ Thankfully it is unusual to pick up so many injuries in one game. Squad would not last long if it happened more than once. I'm sure Wigan will also have a few problems ... but it really was an injury nightmare for Wolves.

Nope, was solely down to Wire's injuries . Nothing to do with Wigan at all, it's funny these injuries are coming out now, why did Smith apparently play an unfit Myler when he could have put Hodgson at 1 and Ratchford in the halves? If Smith played players who weren't fully fit that's his fault.

jesus wept-troll on end of the bell

Constructive reply . Now if you could have an adult discussion please let us know like all the other decent Wire fans before yourself.

You are talking rubbish and are obviously just trolling now.....It was nothing like last year at all.

Look, I think most Wire fans acknowledge Wigan deserved their win, but even the most biased cherry and white fan would admit that the two most publicised injuries (Monaghan & Ratchford) were a factor in Saturday's win - Yes, I think we can argue all off-season about just how much of a factor they was, but its irrefutable that they were an influence.

I think if you are going to scrutinise certain individual moments, I'd reckon the half time team talks in both dressing rooms would have been a crucial factor - Without the Monaghan injury, and 16-6 up, I can imagine Wire would have been very confident and Smith would have emphasised their lead and the fact they hadn't actually dominated the game and were still 10 points clear... Instead, that Wire changing room was probably one of worry and a lot of tension, having just lost their major attacking strike weapon and knowing that they were going to play a whole half, with a makeshift outside pairing, particularly with Bridge, who will never be a winger as long as he has a hole in his backside, having to face upto Richards..... Conversely, Wigan, without the Monaghan injury, would have gone in at half time with a lot of problems to solve - Instead, a late first half try and the knowledge that Wire were suddenly weak on both flanks (Assuming, like most observers seem to do, they already rated Atkins and Riley as a weak point) would have invigorated them massively.

The Ratchford injury was the final nail in the coffin for Wire - Any hope they had of turning a steadily turning tide was extinguished and Wigan took their chances very well against a side that was sinking fast.