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.

imo warrington were without a doubt the best and most dangerous side in the competition this season when they were on their game and you certainly did a number on us rhinos when you were red hot in attack in our play off game

however i don't go in for if's and but's in grand finals as i firmly believe that the best side come play off time always generally comes up trumps and wins the trophy despite where they finish on the league ladder

i cannot think of a club that has won a grand final as of yet that didn't deserve to?

i am nearly choking here saying this
but imo wigan were by far and away the best side come play off time,they looked far stronger and fitter than any other side they played, they also beat all of the top four sides to win the title and from the impossible finishing position of 4th too

the wolves will be back

Going to disagree here.
Of course the injuries to Monaghan and Ratchford played a part, the biggest injury factor to me, as a Wigan fan, was Ben Harrison only doing 15 mins or so.
Monaghan couldn't have done anything to prevent Wigan's trys apart from Richards when the game was over. Wigan attacked Riley's wing all night not Monaghan's. J Monas wouldn't have had an attacking option as his forwards couldn't get into the Wigan half. McIlorum and Green went straight through the Wire pack to score. Ratchford, IMO wasn't having a good game before going off. Was he fully fit? Myler didn't look fit and was poor.
Wire's problem was their pack.
Harrison was a massive miss. Long minutes from him might, just might have made a difference to the score but not the result. That along with being disjointed due to injuries was the downfall.
Smith would have known Myler was not fully fit which makes his decision not to have a back on the bench beyond understanding.

There are many reasons Wigan won, one of which was a sensational performance by our captain, the best player in SL now that Sam has left.

Lockers was a long way off full fitness and didn't manage the full 80. While he was on the pitch though he did a phenomenal amount of work, with the most carries and second biggest metres gained of any player. In fact with 23 carries he was not far off the total of the Wire bench (26). Only 3 players made more tackles than Lockers.

It's not just big dramatic events that win matches, Lockers wasn't spectacular in the GF (though he did put the pass in for Richards' try) but it was a fantastically hard working performance from a great leader overcoming his lack of fitness. I'm sure many people failed to notice Lockers' performance (I'm a huge fan and thought he'd done really well considering his lack of fitness but I will admit I was surprised when I saw the stats). I'm sure the Wigan players noticed the effort Lockers was putting in though (and I imagine the Wire players did too). It must have been a massive lift to the morale of the team, especially our young players, to have Lockers out there. I'm not criticising Wire's leadership, just pointing out that Wigan have an exceptional leader in Sean O'Loughlin and that his superb effort, commitment and will to win was a factor in the game going our way.

Just tried to respond to this but I've just got to go and vomit. What a plonker!

Everything he has said is true though.

a true Orrell lad would hate Wigan as a Leigther would!

Both Myler and Monas in for operations.

Just when I thought the standard of debate on the Wire board had improved a bit...

-great reply-