I think you have hit the nail on the head.... Some of the negativity on here is laughable. The overall problem in the English SL is that there is not enough money in the game, so we can't bring in big names... Wane plays that situation as well as anyone with a broad based squad without stars. Lets not forget that the players we have injured are key players, ST, injuries permitting, has the potential to be the most effective and influential players in the league... 5 from 5 against the squads we have played against, and thats all you can play..

The Aussie clubs are light years in front of us because they can spent more then double what we can on the salary cap. They weren't light years in front when we pent more then them 10 years back.

As for our start and us having no idea, do you not cut the team some slack for the fact that we're missing a number of pivotal players? our two biggest attacking threats in Tomkins and Williams included?

We're a team built for the firmer and faster pitches of the summer and we always seem to start slowly. In performance terms its not been vintage but the results are fantastic. We will get better and better as the season goes on and we will challenge for honors. If that's an embarrassment to the league then so be it. Whilst the quality of superleague may be at a low, the number of young players being produced is surely at an all time high.

Put it this way ...I would rather be a Wigan fan than a Leeds fan at the moment. The hallmark of a championship side is one that doesn't play that well at times, but still grinds out and gets the wins (a la some of the Leeds teams of recent years). Leeds fans knew they would miss Sinfield's game management/kicking and Peacock's leadership qualities...and losing McGuire too is a blow....but no excuses. You guys had Williams (a player I rate highly) pull out at the last minute and your recent new 'prop' filling in at SO. You also miss McIlorum (another one I rate highly). Success is cyclical and as a Leeds fan we have had some bloody good times in recent years...it's probably now somebody else's turn.
Wigan look a good bet for silverware this season ....BUT don't forget this year just well might be the year of the Wolves

(between you two for sure....subject to injuries, other unforseen circumstances)

As stated I am referring to the latter half of last year,not just the start of this. Of course I can see we are working hard, or course I can see our defense is working hard. Who can't? What I also see is a continuation of what I saw last season, was a lack of ideas once our one or two (predictable) set moves fail to come off. Lots of one out rugby and lots of dropped ball. This isn't an issue that has come about become we are missing a few players, I believe it's a part of our game that is getting worse, not better. Sorry if I'm seen as some as a stuck in the past living under a bridge goat eater, or whatever was said. I didn't realise having an opinion warranted people flipping out and getting personal.

My topic title could have been chosen a little better though I do agree. Maybe that provoked a few people.

Lots of people read these boards but don't post mainly because the "Negative brigade" shout them down... It's so easy to be critical, we can all do it. But, just look at the bigger picture, RL in this country is in dire straights, the salary cap has barely moved in 10 years, mainly because most of SL can't afford to. If you want negativity, i can't see professional RL surviving going down it's current route. Enjoy it while you can, even if its not to the standard WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO SEE..

How great to see Sutton and Gildart to have such outstanding games these 2 are cementing their places in a Wigan team for a long time to come,

Totally agree. There's no point us using the Aussies as so vital benchmark that nothing else matters. They exist in a completely different economy, almost a different universe.

It does irritate that everytime we seem to get close, they shoot off ahead again, but it was ever thus. Being cynical, you could even argue that we only used to dominate the WCC when they weren't taking it too seriously. Now that they are, they seem to win every time.

But this is really a problem for the British game as a whole, rather than just Wigan. The fact we are star-light in general terms can be put down to the RFL's inability to underwrite our game with proper sponsorship, TV deals etc. I should add that this infuriates me completely, and I have ranted about it many times - but at present we must play with the hand we are dealt, and after a slow start to season, I'm increasingly liking what I'm seeing from Wigan.

Agreed, but won't stop the haters..

If it wasn't for Widnes playing the extra fixture Wigan would be top now...and some fans think that is terrible.

WOW, sorry but you can give me terrible every week at Wire if it means winning the league.

I agree. It's not new and an issue that hasn't been addressed yet. I also agree with Cruncher there are some aspects of the team that are better. The character for one. I think we'd have lost a couple of the close games so far this season with the way the team was last season. The defence is better and seems less likely to leak a try close to the line and finally, Matty Smith has improved his goal kicking (at last).

There [iare[/i issues with the attack and your other comment about it looking like a Brian Noble team in this regard is something I have thought for a while. This won't change unless Wane changes tactics which I don't think he will. I think he is waiting for Sam to return because I don't think the players we have can pull the moves off and rather than change the moves he blames poor execution.