This. Hopefully we can channel everything in to a Challenge Cup win. Anything else, I feel, may be beyond us. If that doesn't happen, we take it on the chin and go again next year. I am fed with going on about injuries. Last year was bad but this season has been beyond belief. SW has earned some breathing space, of that there is no doubt.

Quote: Bigredwarrior "Yes it's Wane's fault Clubb needed a kidney removed! It's his fault Leuluai broke his jaw, it's his fault Flower snapped an Achilles' tendon during a game, it's his fault Bateman needed shoulder surgery following an injury during a game, it was his fault Manfredi damaged his knee in a twist during a tackle last year, it's his fault McIlorum broke his ankle during a game.... Get a grip, the above cannot be put down to training techniques and it's a collision sport in which players get hurt. We play the game tough and I wouldn't want it any other way. We are champions and world champions because of Wane, not in spite of him. The last few weeks we've been poor but the young lads need a rest and will get one soon. Judge the team and Wane at the end of the season. I'd say the top 4 might be gone but we could still win the challenge cup and in the circumstances that wouldn't be the end of the world.'" It seems SW has admitted that he should have seen the signs that something wasn't right with Clubb: www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby-l ... -1-8623290

Quote: Bigredwarrior "Yes it's Wane's fault Clubb needed a kidney removed! It's his fault Leuluai broke his jaw, it's his fault Flower snapped an Achilles' tendon during a game, it's his fault Bateman needed shoulder surgery following an injury during a game, it was his fault Manfredi damaged his knee in a twist during a tackle last year, it's his fault McIlorum broke his ankle during a game.... Get a grip, the above cannot be put down to training techniques and it's a collision sport in which players get hurt. We play the game tough and I wouldn't want it any other way. We are champions and world champions because of Wane, not in spite of him. The last few weeks we've been poor but the young lads need a rest and will get one soon. Judge the team and Wane at the end of the season. I'd say the top 4 might be gone but we could still win the challenge cup and in the circumstances that wouldn't be the end of the world.'" It seems SW has admitted that he should have seen the signs that something wasn't right with Clubb: www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby-l ... -1-8623290

Hindsight is always 20/20...

It's also not helped that last season was similar so over 2yearssome players have played a lot more than would normally be expected the resins for so many and for so long is probably going to be different from each player but it does seem odd that it's a similar issue this year as last but it's just starting to take it's toll I don't think wane cane be totally responsible many players play with niggles and say they feel better than they really do but sometimes that extra game or two would pay off in the long run !

And yes goal kickers are vital I remember botica being a great kicker a good player who without his kicking possibly wouldn't have been in that Wigan team at that time?? The strong certainty of a try being converted is crucial and can translate to 4-10 league points and be the difference between winning and losing crucial games and finals !!

I hope you get players back and thi kicking issue sorted after we play you tho lol

If the Catalans of the first half vs Leigh turn up, we'll wallop them. Second, then we've got a game on our hands, returning players or not.

Having said, it's almost getting to a 'win or bust' stage if we want to get into the top 4, and that usually means we turn up, so I wouldn't be surprised to see us go unbeaten until the middle 8s now.

16 of those were in the 17 last night, and we were still poor. Still think its not the coaching staff's fault?

Where did I say it's not the coaching staff's fault?

It was a general question to the Happy Clappers who think the coaching methods of SW & Co were fine and it was just a case of "When we got all our injured players back we'll thump the opposition".

I guess you sit with me on this one - we scraped our way through most games last season, found a bit of form at the back end when everyone else was losing theirs, just nosed the GF, and have been well and truly found out this season.

Somewhere in between I suppose. I thought we played terrible rugby for the majority of last season and would have wanted Wane out had we not won the Grand Final. However, since then we won the Grand Final whilst missing key players then won the World Club Challenge, so for me he now has enough credit in the bank to see how he goes next year regardless.

I don't think we could realistically expect the injured players to return and things to click straight away. They aren't used to playing together and morale must have been absolutely battered. Next season should the litmus test

Grimy at face value your argument is valid however, we have played shoite rugby now for 4 consecutive seasons and personally my loyalty has has been shattered which is something i never thought I would say.
Coaching wise playing wise something has to change otherwise ST sales will dive. Not knowing the stats but I'd wager a few bob that as reigning champions our ST growth after winning the GF will be the lowest in SL history because it's joyless watching us and gaining new fans has become almost impossible

Id have thought that ST would if not exploded then significantly rose after the gf win,they didnt seem to though,no mind there was the WCC winthat had to have an the desired effect surely? yet it doesnt seem to have done,there are so many competing pasttimes nowadays the sport has to deliver both in terms of winning AND entertainment,the two are indivisible to me,the crowds seem at a flat figure unless theres plenty of giveaways such as the half marathon etc,i shudder to think at the "super" 8s and the pretty much meaningless games the side faces.

FB Escare
RW Manfredi/Marshall
RC Gelling
LC Gildart
LW Burgess
SO Williams
SH S.Tomkins/Woods
P Sutton
H Powell
P Flower
SR Bateman
SR Farrell
LF O'Loughlin

S Tautai (P)
S Tomkins/Wells (P) (LF) (SR)
S Ganson (Hooker)
S New Prop?

...I like this, with some cap space to strengthen other areas?

Have you forgotten about Club, replace Davies for Mashall as Davies is a right sided winger, who is Woods.