Isn't that exactly what happened in 2003? Carney on fire, causing Bradford all sorts of problems, then that awful headlock tackle by Pryce, off goes Carney, the game (for Wigan) goes downhill.

I was feeling a little bit of deja vu last night seeing Pat leave the field. I'm thankful it didn't happen again.

I've kept my interpretation close to my chest so far, but I'm willing to spill now... I think the 2003 side would have beaten this years team by 1-4 points in a VERY low scoring affair.

Defence wins games sometimes, and both teams had superb defence when at their best, probably epitomised by the wins against Leeds in both the 2003 and 2010 final eliminators.

The difference is so marginal, I think both teams would score 1 or 2 tries only, Farrell or Richards kicking penalties wherever possible due to the immense defence, the difference could literally be a Farrell drop goal.

The way Gregory got our defence organised was such that we went from something like 6th or 7th lowest "against" score in the table to finish with the best "against" score after that amazing run of 11 matches undefeated to close out the season. Madge has absolutely emulated or even bettered that.

Overall, I do think the standard of Super League has slipped slightly over the years. I do think there was quite a big slump and things are on the "up" at the moment, though.

Next season could be VERY interesting indeed.

We've every chance of retaining the title, but I think it will be harder.

Although i disagree with you on a couple of points (Main one being we are a far better team today) i think we will win the CC & GF next year, the thing IL & MM have brought to the club is progression, we ain't standing still, we are continually looking for improvement.

Well, this is what debate is all about.

I do hope you're right!

Damn Right and keep those avatars coming, Quality..

Is 2003 the season Lam got injured in the last seconds when we defeated Saints in the semi?

That happened one year and I knew then when it happened that was curtains to our chances in the final.

With him in the side we would IMO have won.

The difference between then and now may well be back then better players but now better coached into a winning team unit.

In other words the current team is greater then the sum of its parts.

Dave

The difference for me is that the team of 2003 was a team on its way out.

We'll never know whether Greg would have arrested or even reversed that, but, though I loved Greg as a bloke, I don't feel he had the intellectual depth to his coaching that Michael Maguire does. He also didn't have the support from the management that Maguire has. You really get the feeling now that Wigan is a club that is going places again. There's been quite a lot of petulance towards us this year - from other fans, other coaches, certain pressmen - but the truth is that we've been pace-setters, not just on the park but off it as well. The club feels totally revitalised to me, at every level - whereas in 2003 there was an atmophere of malaise.

As others have said, 2003 saw a Wigan side that was big in names, but small on spirit and team ethic (they should never have fallen apart simply because one of their wingers was injured). 2010 sees a Wigan side that is exactly the opposite, and they've done so much better (including not falling apart when their star winger got hurt).

Hey Cruncher stop posting my thoughts better than i could put them. I'll get you for it.

Great post. Very well put.

We don't have any world class players, the other side had one in Farrell. What we do have is an awesome side that works for each other and the best coach in the league.

I'd argue Sam Tomkins is world class, even at such a young age. He breaks games wide open.

The character and spirit of this group make it the better TEAM.