How much does it mean to you....?

Quote: cadoo "How much would beating Saints mean to me?

Of course it would mean a lot. Saints are our greatest rivals and any victory over Saints brings ecstasy to the Wigan RL masses.

But this game is so much more.

It's not just Saints we would beat. It would be our critics, the taunters, the people who laugh in the face of Wigan RL. The people who believe we are no longer a force. The people who think we are finished in RL. The people who think we will never reclaim our dominance in RL. The people who think we are no longer famous. The people who think we are cheats. The people who think the club is a disgrace. The people who spit vile envious bile every time our name is mentioned.

Saturdays game is not just 80 minutes of rugby league. It is a chance to bury the demons that this club has had to endure. It is a chance to banish the dark memories of the near relegation season. A chance to put to bed the fans who taunt we are no longer Wigan RL. A chance to rightfully put to bed the taunts that we are no longer the towns number one sport.

It is also a chance to build what Mike Gregory was trying to build. A chance to reclaim the passion shown by previous teams. Sean Edwards, Dean Bell, Andrew Farrell.

A chance to compete for the big one. The major trophy. The trophy that has eluded us since 1998. A chance to put behind us the semi-final heartbreak at Widnes. A chance to put behind us the Gareth Hock saga. A chance to put behind us the poor form in mid-season, to shut up the critics, to silence the WAFC public, a chance to silence the ones that claim we are no longer a top force.

Some say Wigan RL is not the club it was. We are not as strong as before.

But if we can come out of Saturdays game with a victory we will prove to the RL masses that we are stronger than ever before. That we are building a team capable of emulating previous great, great Wigan sides. A team capable of living up to the legends of Billy Boston, Sean Edwards and Andy Farrell. A team that will go out there every week fighting not against the opposition, no. A team that is fighting against the mere possibility of losing in a Wigan RL shirt. A team that is not just representing themselves. A team that is representing Wigan RL. A team that is representing everything that has made this great club what it is today.

Saturday's game is more than just a game. It is a chance to banish the horrors and the heartache of past seasons. A chance to rightfully put our name back up their as one of the top sides. A chance to repay the loyal, thousands of supporters that still turn up to get behind our lads every week.

Now I can't guarantee a Wigan win on Saturday. We all can't guarantee a Wigan win on Saturday. But one thing we can guarantee. Is that our lads wont go into battle with 17 men. No. That every supporter wears their heart on their sleeve and gets behind them boys like there is no f--kin tomorrow! To make sure that 17 men don't go onto the pitch alone. No. The 18th man is right behind them! All the way!

Saturday's game for me is a chance to be up their in an iconic moment of Wigan's history. Like the first challenge cup victory. Like the 1985 cup win over Hull. Like the victory in Brisbane when our boys were lining up to silence as our national anthem was played. Like the team that went and beat Manly. Like the team that won the challenge cup eight times in succession. Like the team that won the very first Grand Final. It would mark a turning point in the history of Wigan RL.

Saturday's game is more than just a game. It is a chance to turn things around.

Give it your all boys and make us all feckin proud!'"