I have to agree with Itchy, as I just posted on the Warrington thread. I watched Wests beat the Bunnies last night. Their skipper and best forward by a mile was out injured, they have a side full of kids, and they shipped 60 points the previous week. They have three very talented young players in Brooks and Moses in the halves, and Tedesco at full back. But Moses pulled up injured in the warm-up, so they had to play a second-rower at five-eighth (a la Gregson). Tedesco left the field injured around half-time, and Jordan Rankin (of "not good enough for Hull FC" fame) went from wing to full-back. But guided around by the kid Brooks, they still did enough to hold off Sam Burgess and co and his team full of Origin players. And actually Rankin, although his goal-kicking was a bit hit and miss, had a bloody good game and scored two tries. Seems to me the main explanation must lie in the coaching.

That's o.k but can those young players at Wests do it for five or six games which is what many Wigan fans are asking of their team? I don't think they can. IMO the young players at Wigan have done as much and more that realistically could be expected of them

Go back a few years to around 2003 when the "kids" beat Saints and won a few games. I was naive to think we were building a team that would dominate for the next 10 years. Some of those kids were very good players but struggled with consistency and the team fell apart. That is why we need to get the experienced players back a.s.a.p otherwise it will take a long time for the younger players to regain confidence. Some will inevitably fall by the wayside (it happens at every club)

If you want comparisons look at Leeds who have lost a similar amount of players this season to us.

Am I happy with the performances, no.
Am I satisfies with where we are under the circumstances, yes.

I agree with Jonh however that the attack has looked very disfunctional for so much of the season. To me it looks as though the timing is out for whatever reason, something that can happen in the first few games, but should have been addressed by this stage.

I agree, who were they playing against? Sounds like they must be terrible?
Wonder how well they were coached?

The players aren't good enough to turn it around and I don't think the coaching staff know what to do different so they just bury their heads and carry on with same tripe.
We won't finish in the top 4 unless ST is the second coming.

I mentioned Leeds in my earlier post. I hope some of the moaners on here watched his after match interview with Jon Wells.

I couldn't give a fishes tit about Leeds.
However inept they may appear won't change how rank we are.
We can't pass, make a break, kick on the last or even think of not playing by numbers.
I'll take Leeds to beat us at Headingly with ease. Happy to take any bets.
We are poor and have yet to play most teams away and our lofty position is probably most likely a temporary station before we descend down the league table.
We can't play rugby so we should not hide behind another teams misfortune.

What odds you offering g on Wigan finishing top 4 after super 8s
What odds offering for grand final appearance
Whatodds you offering for a grand final win

Happy to match whatever Mr Patrick Power currently offers.
The last time I looked we were favourites to win the GF but that was before Warrington shafted us. If you really do think we will win the GF then now is the time to strike because if you think that our future form can and only will improve then the odds will tumble.
I would be delighted to pay up if we won the GF.
I see you thinking of hedging your bets with a runners up spot
Seriously hope your optimism is correct and that I need a visit to Specsavers.

I have taken on Paddy Power (some with handicap and others without) in all of Wigans games this season except Saints and have lost once and that was the Castleford game. I genuinely don't think the bookies have latched on to how poor we really are and are relying on recent history rather current form.
Very hapy to nudge up the odds if you make a sensible suggestion and make it a decent bet.
I could add that you also lack conviction asking for odds to lose the final but assume you are just covering your bet

If you don't ask you don't get.
We are currently 15/8 to win so you are asking me to more than double the odds which is a big ask. Make it a decent amount and I will give you the 4/1
The other 2 odds I also accept.
Name your amounts and we can agree where/how we arrange it. If you just want to keep it on trust no problem with that all. If you want an agreement that it's a charity bet then again no problem we can both name our charity.

It will add a bit of interest to the season

Correct Andy our forwards are a bunch of non meter making pussies

Thank god for Bateman who punches well above his weight rather than pussies like Mossop,Clubb,Isa &Tautai who couldn't knock their way out of a wet paper bag

This is my biggest concern regarding our side once the big games come around as sides like Wolves,Hull FC and Catalans have far more grunt than our shower of Plodders