Because you need to concentrate on fitness at that stage, and getting players injured for no reason would hamper them getting fit for that season. You also need to hit the ground running in February, not the beginning of January.

There is a reason that teams build up the intensity of their pre season training as it gets nearer to the season rather than playing full blooded friendlies near the beginning of the training starting.

Whilst I'm sure that Wane will be part of a stricter culture at Wigan, I think a few of you are going a bit overboard in what he's going to do. He's not stupid and he won't risk the season on a pre season friendly, even if it is against Saints.

If that's the case I think you may find most of your players exhausted come the business end of the season. Whilst Noble had you far too under done at the start of the season, there's no point going to the other extreme and ruining your season by going too far the other way. Do teams really do 4 months of pre season training?

Still, that comment may show why he isn't a head coach or conditioner...

Congratulations, you clearly do not have a clue!

Lenaghan says November 16th is the start of pre-season training.
rlhttp://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid

I'd put more store by your comments had you not been so insistent for such a long time that a fat, and plainly unfit, Feka was more effective than a slimmed down version would be, however I don't see you plying that theory much these days.

I don't pretend to be an expert, I'm just going off what I've read successful coaches in a few sports say. Pre season is all about getting a basic level of fitness early on, not about ball handling. Hardly any professional sports teams that are successful play full blooded friendlies until far later in pre season, the risk of injury isn't worth it.

Unless it is, in which case, why don't more teams do it? Surely full paced friendlies are about getting timing and ball handling right, rather than improving fitness, would a December friendly really be worthwhile for that purpose?

The question about the timing of pre season training was a genuine one btw, one that has been subsequently answered it seems.

It's more likely that the friendly will have a smattering of first teamers and will be a bog standard slow paced friendly that will be used to generate revenue more than anything else.

I'm sure The George, The Bull and The Bird will be well pleased.

it will be away OR at a neutral DW decided a few years ago NOT to let firendley games at his stadium e.g. the pitch usaully tears up in winter

Active rest starts straight away if thos goes on for longer than 4 to 6 weeks detraining occurs so starting our preseason on the 17th of November is about the perfect time to start.

Regards the game it will come at the end of a long aerobic training period for the players and no doubt be a welcome distraction also it will prepare them again for the latter phases of training.

I am sure all the squad that are fit will get a run out from both sides, for how long who knows but it will be used as a training exercise for both sides to see how the work is going and allow a point of reflection, and perhaps redirection/assessment of where work is needed on some players and where there strengths and weaknesses have altered due to the previous months training.

could be the little un's first game, bring it on!!!

Our players on Intl duty probably won't play so that would leave us with a 17 or 20 of

Phelps.
Roberts, Gleeson, Carmont, Ainscough, Howarth, Mellor, Prescott, Riddell, Coley, Bailey, Mossop, Tomkins.
Bench, Feka, Fielden, O'Carroll, Farrell,
If 20 also perhaps Marsh, Charnley & Holland.

I think both MM & SW will wants a good mix of the experiened and inexperienced.

I'm sure there could be a better squad, any offers?

Depends if this is going to be reserves or first team. Assuming the guys on international duty don't play I'd go with:

FB Phelps
RW Roberts
RC Goulding
LC Carmont (If he signs up, if not I'd imagine we'll sign someone)
LW Ainscough
SO Gleeson
SH Mellor
P Coley
H Riddell
P Prescott
SR Mossop
SR Bailey
LF Joel

S Davies
S Farrell
S Fielden
S Gee
S O'Carroll
S Paleaaesina
S Pryce
S Thornley

So for my starting line up not much different to yours other than Goulding starting instead of Howarth. It's make or break for DG this season IMO he'll either have a stormer and take the #4 shirt in '11 or he'll be gone, probably the latter if I'm honest.

edit, changed my squad a bit, had too many backs playing out of position.

I wouldnt charge more than £10 lets get a crowd in at dw at xmas that would make most clubs in the area envy of. Who are the other 3 friendlies against 1 must be leigh so that leaves prob a trip up to cumbria and a trip to west yorkshire.

Think it's at Knowsley Hole.