The pitch was worse a few seasons ago and it helped Wigan Athletic in their fight against relegation because it stifled any creativity and suited long-ball merchants. I seem to remember Arsene Wenger being particularly vexed about the pitch when his Arsenal side struggled at the DW Stadium.

Bearing that in mind how the Daily Mirror can claim it will be a hindrance to Wigan Athletic when in the past it has been nothing but an advantage doesn't make too much sense, unless Martinez has the side playing 'attractive' football now.

Getting back to the Piers Morgan comment, Stephen Fry was asked to define "countryside" and his response was "murdering Piers Morgan."
If our national treasure thinks that, it must be true!

How come Hull, Huddersfield, Warrington who all have or have had football and rugby on dont have issues? When the bitter and twisted get relegated from the premiership which is a matter of when not if they wont be able to afford to not have us in there, theyre a selling club now and still losing money so good luck in the champonship.

Surely this is an oxymoron?

I commented on the state of the pitch last Friday. When we finished the 2009 season it looked in tip top condition.

On Friday bald patches all over the place. To even mention the RL side when discussing the state of the pitch is stupid and everyone involved in Latics will know it was in a bad state before the RL season kicked off.

If they want to put their heads in the sand and moan it's our fault then they are just avoiding the issues that face their club.

Dave

A Latics, fan, who doesn't like Wigan Warriors, told me a year ago that the groundsman told him that it is football that damages the pitch, not the rugby. We all know that but it's good that the groundsman and therefore all the Latics' connections are aware of the fact as well.

I don't have the slightest interest in the Latics or how well they do, if the pitch contributes to their relegation then tough. All I'm bothered about is Wigan R.L., and if the Latics relegation means we take priority at the DW Stadium then great.

Should be plenty of sand on the pitch for them to do it esp down the middle / goal mouths

on a serious note though I am led to believe that the pitch is below the water level of the river / canal by the side of the stadium which causes drainage problems and IMO is one of the reasons for the state of the pitch, nothing to do with either the rugby or football being played and nothing to do with us having poor groundstaff as someone previously mentioned

Basically, Big Dave went ahead and built his new stadium in a swamp.

If defending the rugby means he has to admit that, then I suppose it's obvious why we rarely hear any loud rebuttals of these annual accusations.

could they not have covers to help keep some of the rain off . that might help to keep it in better condition . just a thought

I thought they had already got covers on the pitch that looks like a tent over the pitch.

Very good pig country is Camelot

Quality journalism we play one game at the DW and they pounce at the chance to say we are destroying the pitch, English media has to be the worst in the word.

Brilliant