Last year we were hampered with injuries. I'm sure Wane would have made changes if possible.

How did injuries hamper not having a kicking game or a recognised kicker for several seasons?
I think that at the end of the season we had virtually a full squad and we still played like strangers with zippo flair and nil intensity.
In my opinion last season we were complete shoite and you would have to be a blind man not to recognise it.

It's a new season and hopefully we can only improve on generally a very poor season. I am happy to move on but we haven't played a game yet with any meaning so personally I don't know if lessons have been learned. I am hoping for improvements and there are some early signs that they may be delivered but we probably wont know until we have several games under our belt.

So negative. Coach makes key changes in preparation for a new season and still people are unhappy. I prefer to be positive. For one I'm happy with the changes made positionally, happy with the squad depth in key positions and happy we brought in a kicking coach to help out.

If changes don't occur then they need dealing with, until then the coach and team can only do what they have.

Sorry LSOW but I just don't see where I have been negative? We haven't played a game in anger yet so how can I judge if anything has changed for the better? With regards to your point of positional changes I think technically non have been officially confirmed? Powel to 7 and TL to 9 is the only major change in squad numbers but SW has I think stated that he hasn't finalised yet who will play where? Its pretty nailed on that Powel & TL will swop but apart from that no other major unforced changes?

Negative as the coaching team have addressed issues in the off-season. Instead of acknowledging this you, like several others on here feel there's nothing positive come of the coaching team recognising the issues and corrected them before the start of the season.
Kicking game an issue? Yes. Brought in Charlie Hodgson.

Spine not creative enough? Moved on Micky, moved Tommy to his best position, moved Powell to 7 with the idea that Sam Tomkins can move into the halves with Escare as our FB. Now we have options and have made changes. That's all a coaching staff can do at this stage. I prefer to be positive about the steps taken.

You obviously want to continue this so hear goes.
How long have we had a problem with our kicking game?? 4 or 5 years?? So half a dozen or so coaching lessons with a part time kicking coach on a short term contract is part way to a solution but its 4 years too late and still unproven. That isn't negative its just facts.

Can you point me to where SW has categorically stated that ST will move into the halves?? Its something I would fully support but if Im honest I haven't actually seen anywhere from the club that is the intention. If 9 is the best position for TL why the hell didn't he at least get a run out there last year when it so obvious that TL at 7 simply was just not working.

Personally until I see us play and obtain better results I wont know if changes have occurred and that they have been successful. That isn't negative that for me is just plain common sense. How many times have I got to say I want to us improve on and off the pitch but a few snatches of anecdotes doesn't really tell me anything. My name is Thomas by the way

If you are happy and satisfied so far then good for you - Im not having a pop or being sarcastic I sincerely mean that.
Maybe my standards/expectations or too high however, we have the highest wage bill in the competition which in itself doesn't guarantee success but it should guarantee we should be very competitive in every game and should be playing infinitely better rugby than the tripe turned out in the last few years. My expectation is that the senior players step up their game considerably this season, no more no shows like Wakefield (x2), Castleford (x2), Hull and Leeds where our team spirit didn't exist and I expect to be entertained. I am not expecting trophies nor am I expecting to win by 30 points every game I just want my passion back. When they deliver which I hope they will I will be at the front of the queue to congratulate the club.

could have done this last year?

That’s a different discussion. But as I keep having to say, I’m happy with the changes the coaching staff have made in the off-season. I’m optimistic for this season.

Are you not?

It feels very much like Wane has given a little bit of what most people wanted in shuffling things around but whilst making sure everyone still knows who’s in charge. Ask 9 out of 10 fans who they’d have wanted at 1,6,7 and 9 and I think they’d have gone Escare, Williams, Tomkins and Powell/Leuluai at hooker. He’s going to play a bit of that but not without his own twist on it for the first half hour or more of games, when he’s looking to go more defensive and keep things tight by the looks of things. On the heavy pitches early in the season it may be just the job and I’d like to think he’ll be flexible as the season moves on.

On the coaching front I think it was expected that he would get a new attacking coach in but again he’s given a little bit with a kicking coach coming in but he’s not gone the full hog and brought somebody in who may take some responsibility away from him.

It’s the biggest year of Wanes career coming up. He could buy himself a long term stay at Wigan with a good year but if it goes wrong, he could find himself without a job. He’s done some great things for the club so I sincerely hope he’s successful.

I really hope that SW has a good season. He is as honest as they come and a proper gent - doesn't mean he will or should be successful but I just think that when a good guy (and a Wiganer) succeeds it just resonates more.
Personally I think he may have too close to some of the squad and I am hoping that he has reflected on this and will hand out a few straightners when required this season. I was like yourself hoping for some new blood on the attacking coaching front but we are where we are.
I think that it will be an interesting season but I just hope we get off on the front foot in every game whereas in the past few seasons we have in many games started poorly. He needs ST,JT, TL, GW & Farrell to step up considerably on their performances in every game compared to the last couple of seasons.

I dont know yet, not even a ball kicked and we have 34 injuries to first teamers (3 without manfredi)

Knowing what I know now I feel as we are going into this season in a good shape...

I went to the friendly at leigh and was impressed by our performance (yes I know it was a friendly)

I cant see us having a season like last year again in a long time..
I think tommy will have a great spell back at hooker where he prefers to play and plays internationally, mixed with some of the hits he puts in should be class. Il be honest Micky went off the boil a long time ago.

I think we will pick up silverware this year cause lets face it they owe it to us fans for some of the tripe rugby we sat through last year..

cant wait for it all to kick off....roll on friday and see you all there!!!!

I’m as big a Micky Man fan as there is and I’m sad to see him go but he didn’t have a good time of it last year when he returned and you can’t help but feel we’ll be a little more dynamic with Leuluai and Powell in there.

I must say I’ve never heard Micky Mac get as much praise in the press and from opposition fans as I have since he left Wigan. I used to hear he was an average thug, yet now I’m hearing he’s the heartbeat of the Wigan team, a fabulous player and that his loss will see us in 6th or 7th position.

It’s funny what a move away from Wigan can do for you!