I can't see that there's any real argument with this.

I've been accused of being a happy-clapper in the past, but I wasn't in that category at the end of last year. We are all fans, and we will attend games loyally, but we do have a right to be critical if things are going sideways, and that certainly was the impression many of us were left in at the end of 2017. More to the point, while we can't possibly know which issues have and haven't been addressed in training, there's no denying that it's the same team who messed up so badly last year, and the same coaching staff.

I don't think it's an OTT reaction to reserve judgement until we've got a few wins on the board.

WANE OUT!!!! Just thought i would get that one in early..

It does seem people are going overboard with the performance at Leigh,lets be fair we won't know if the issues have been addressed for a good while yetis I'll join you in waiting a good few games and see how things are then, not off the back of a friendly.

And how is that any different from what anyone else us saying? In 10 games time we'll all have a clearer picture of whether they've been addressed in full, part or not at all. It doesn't take some kind of special ability to work that one out. It'll be there for all to see Not really sure what the point is you're making. I'll tell you at the end of the season if we've won any trophies or not. I'm guessing you won't need me to tell you though.

I fully agree we need to wait until at least a couple of months in to the season to see which problems have and haven’t been addressed but all clubs could make a list of 4 or 5 things that need attention. Even if we’re going well in mid season we could still probably list a number of things that could be improved.

It’s all on attitude, effort and spirit for me. We have the talent in the side to win things but the players looked bored and disinterested last year at times. The main thing I took from the Leigh game was that the spirit looked excellent and the players looked happy to be back out there.

Some posters here are not reading anything into the result of a friendly, because we won... If we had lost MELTDOWN!!!

Quote: NickyKiss "I may be getting confused here but to my mind I always felt Sarginson looked like he’d be a better fit over on the right. The reason being that he seems to love that step back to the right, which over on the left kept taking him away from his winger (which was hugely frustrating). On that right side if he straightens and then goes right that should see him being able to link with his winger on far more occasions. If the space becomes tight then as is the norm, the winger comes inside to give his centre an option.'" Sarginson's left foot step whist playing at right centre would surely result in him stepping into touch would it not, Or he would surely run his winger out of his space? Big year for Shaun Wane coming up,especially after Radlinski reckons that they are SL's highest salary capped spending club https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... -1-8949792

Quote: NickyKiss "I may be getting confused here but to my mind I always felt Sarginson looked like he’d be a better fit over on the right. The reason being that he seems to love that step back to the right, which over on the left kept taking him away from his winger (which was hugely frustrating). On that right side if he straightens and then goes right that should see him being able to link with his winger on far more occasions. If the space becomes tight then as is the norm, the winger comes inside to give his centre an option.'" Sarginson's left foot step whist playing at right centre would surely result in him stepping into touch would it not, Or he would surely run his winger out of his space? Big year for Shaun Wane coming up,especially after Radlinski reckons that they are SL's highest salary capped spending club https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... -1-8949792

I’m feeling positive about the year for the following reasons

1.) Lealuai not playing 7 ( in game kicking was dreadful)

2.) Players starting the year fully fit, Tomkins especially

3,) there’s a chance we’ll avoid a massive injury crisis for the first time in 2 years.

4,) a fit Clubb and Flower plus Hamlin and Naverette pushing should see improved play from the props (or they’ll be dropped)

5.) Our left side could be similar to Cas’ last season.

6.) Escare

7,) we have the best squad numbers 20-40 in the league, excited that this year the likes of Ganson, Wells, Field can come in to a side full of experience rather than last year when it was half first team half under 19s.

8.) small sample size but in game kicking was miles better last weekend. Goal kicking should improve too.

9.) Think the media thought McIlorum was a bigger player for Wigan than he actually was last year. Just wasn’t the same, missing tackles and only managing 20 min spells, although had a better WC. May have let him go a year too early but better than a year too late.

10.) the media has written us off, a lot of people saying 7th place!

Can’t wait

Surprising to read a lot of negativity already towards the Sarge/Davies combo...no doubt in my mind it will be a success and can see both players having a largely successful season. The link up play shown since Sarge started pre-season has looked top notch...Dans step toward touch may well become quite a tricky play to deal with for a few teams, especially with the power TD has when he comes in on the inside. Both have personal targets of 15+ tries. There was little to no chemistry between Gells and TD and a few felt TD was almost pushed out due to Gells popularity.

I don't understand the surprise in us being written off as contenders...we have pretty much the same spine as last year, albeit re-jigged. We still have SOL who may only manage 60% of the league games and I know that is a worry as if we lose the other 40%, chances are we will be nowhere near the top. All in all it should be a very competitive year and that is great for the game.

I am under no illusion that should things not go well, the club are more than ready to make some changes.

Great post Richie. I’m excited to see Sarge and Davies combine. Confident it’ll go well but if we need to change anything there who do we bring in? Forsyth disappears but is playing against Swinton today, he seems to be out of favour. Joel is no longer a centre, Wane doesn’t want Bateman there (neither does Bateman) and Isa is poor on the edge. Hope Sarge can stay fit and find some form.



Not sure about this part though. We have had a greatly competitive league for 5+ years now and the game over here is still sinking. It’s harder than ever to attract new supporters, playing numbers are down and general interest is down. There has been zero build up to the new season, barely any talking points, we still have no transfer market or any marketable players outside of the towns clubs play in and we are about to take a game 10,000 miles away for the sake of a few £000s profit when I’m sure with a few ideas and effort we could make the same playing the game in this country... but that’s for another thread.

Doesn’t make much difference seeing as he hardly ever passes to his winger anyway.

It’s hardly proactive, it’s incredibly reactive to last years poor performances and cohesion. We did nothing last year to try and change anything, it’s all happened in the off-season.