Out troubles on the right side in defence prove what a top player Hansen was for us. He's different to guys like Faz and Bateman but in his own way was every bit as good.

He's been a big loss.

I understand your points. I suppose what gets to people like me who follow the team home and away is when people comment on a player's worth (for example Jordan James who got his own thread) when they haven't actually seen him play. Of course people are entitled to an opinion, it's a free country after all. It's just that if you don't watch the team play - then an opinion on whether a player is any good - is worthless. Or would you disagree?

Of course anyone can watch a lot of tv, and I think roughly half of our games go out live. It's not really the same. For any of you who have nothing to do on Saturday how about going to the game? It's dead cheap. Don't the lads deserve a little support?

I go to nearly every Wigan game, and am involved in plenty rugby besides that, but I don't get how my opinion is more valid that someone who saw the game on TV. To be honest I often find I pick up more watching the replay on tv than I did at the game, because you get a better view of the action and the benefit of replays.

As for cost, it’s all relative. I’m lucky enough to be in a position where I can comfortably manage the disposable income and free time to go to matches every week. If I had a lower paid job, kids, lived further away etc I wouldn’t be able to afford the luxury. That wouldn't make me any less of a fan.

more into the american smooth myself

Me too, more lifts.