I'm new to this forum and have been quite shocked at the perception of Wigan. Are we really a team of thugs? I know MM has done some pretty poor efforts and obviously Flower the other night, but I can't think of any other Thuggish acts this season. I've seen posts about our method of tackling, but if it's illegal, why would we be allowed to do it? Someone on the gloating thread said our style was boring. I've really enjoyed watching our attacking play this year, especially when you think we lost Sam this year. Most Tries, Most Points and Most Clean Breaks enough said. Most of you guys watch us every week, unlike me with only the televised games, hope you can enlighten me!

It's because you play with an aggressive nature and people still remember the likes of Hock and Newton.

Also the way Wane comes across doesn't help things.

I wouldn't say Wigan are dirty, I'd say they play aggressive and play on the edge and nothing wrong with that but when your an aggressive team like that it gets other fans wound up so when Wigan do over step the mark it then becomes "thugs".

However, I do believe Wigan have had some of the dirtest plsyers to play super league in Hock, Newton and Micky Mac.

Nickle, Hooper and Pryce not up there?

Why you turning into saints v Wigan?

The question is about Wigan not saints.

You said Wigan have had some of the dirtiest players in Super League. It's only right therefore that we compare Wigan with other top clubs. Otherwise what you're effectively pointing out is that all clubs have had some dirty players.

Don't spoil a good story with a few facts.

all teams have had their share of thugs.

Wire being Westwood, Wood, and going back a while Cullen, Boyd etc.

IMO no team is any better or worse than the others

Yes, all teams have a couple of players who are the enforcers letting the opposition know they are around to dissrupt there play.
I think Wigan just play it up to and beyond the "acceptable line" consistently, the refs seem to know that this is Wigans style and factor it into the game.
For the opposition fans this is intepretated as "Wigan are getting away with Murder", I don't really know what the answer is, maybe we can quicken the game up and return to an open running game instead of slow controlled physical contact.

An area I would like to see the RFL stop next season is the head patting on opposition players after a mistake, penalise it and start binning to get rid of it from the game

Wigan's attitude and discipline is not a problem, as evidenced by the number of bans they don't receive.

If you think that Wigan are the worst perpetrators of foul play in SL, then you are clearly not watching the games with both eyes open.

Ok, where's the bandwagon gone ? beyond the acceptable line is when a referee steps in or the judiciary and our record this year has been pretty good ( I am sure someone will be along any moment with the exact figures)

We play rugby to win, rough and tough and are coached to play within the rules and with a certain consideration towards each other and respect for the opposition. If teams get roughed up and they cannot cope, then obviously their fans will bleat about it for months.

We all have players who make mistakes, with such a fast competition fatigue or the red mist can interfere. But any knowledgeable or intelligent supporter of any club will see it for what it is. So don't be offended by the rants of ill informed 'experts' of the game. We are not a dirty side, we just play to win.

For what its worth, St Petes first answer to the post is almost spot on

Micky Mac's head shot on Kirk Dixon resulted in a broken jaw - the second most thuggish act I have seen this season - and both by the same club.

Do you not watch many games then?

Really?

Remind me the name of that penalty machine you have on the wing. Open both eyes.

Carney has served several bans (usually for tipping above the horizontal) but I cannot remember him putting another player out for several months. Why turn it round to Cas Tigers - I thought this was a thread regarding the questioning of Wigan's underhand tactics ?