Well what an anti-climax that was. A poor crowd, no atmosphere, neither team were bothered as there was nothing to play for. I'm glad I stayed at home. The RFL should resign.

Last Son of Wigan wrote

Still more than happy with how things are looking and big wraps to the young pack that some thought were going to get bashed around.
This next 12 months will I hope see a lot of these blossom into the level of player that we are supposedly missing and want to bring replacements in for now.

Looking short term I suppose at certain points some of the youngsters may struggle to keep up that level which I think is understandable but the potential is certainly there.

Add luauaki/Prescott/Tuson/Hansen/Lloyd to that pack squad as players we can call on and utilise plus others such as Crosby/tomkins/spencer who have all played SL (I mention them differently as I'm not convinced about these 3 "long term"icon_wink.gif and I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead this season, confident they'll give 100% week in week out.

It does feel that we are on the brink of something special. Yes maybe 2013 will be silverware free as this young squad finds itself. But I have a good feeling 2014 and onwards will be strong years for the club (even resigning to the fact that Sam Tomkins will have left).

Looking into the next couple of years one of the players I can't wait to see in the first team is young Joe Burgess who is tipped to take over from Richards when he retires - this kid is special. A Thornley/Burgess centre-wing partnership....mouthwatering!

Still think Sam may see out till the end of 2014

On the burgess point, I couldn't possibly comment for fear of being biased

Hysterical over-reactions just tend to lose you the argument. Anyway, if that poster really believes few current Pie players would get into the Wire team so what? Doesn't affect you or your view of these same players. Better to succinctly point out flaws in his thinking than to fly off the handle.

No handle flying. I am sure I would have received a rigourous response if I expressed such a view on the Wire equivalent web site. Think it, argue it, consider where you're writing it, and then expect a response depending on the level to which you've thought it through, how well you argued it and where you wrote it.
For instance, I may think that Wire looked to me like a team very near the end of the road, with too many miles on the clock, and no effective reinforcements on their way. They drew against a callow team, with young players everywhere you look, a brand new half back combination and injuries. One team is not going to get better, while the other will grow stronger week on week. If I were a Wire the doubts would be assailing me - with Leeds revived and Wigan already a match, the suspicion that the last couple of years were their chance and that chance has passed could take hold and eat away. That was pretty much all they had, they had 6 consecutive sets of 6 and couldn't put Wigan away. Where do Carvell, Morley, Briers, the Monaghans, Hodgson, Westwood et al find the fight to take it higher next time? They looked lost by the end to me.
But I would keep that to myself, and certainly not write it on a Wire board.

rlA few pictures from the match hererl

blimey you can have both points then.

What on earth is that in response to?
Not seen a single post match comment on this thread debating any controversial issues etc so what's your point?

Or shall I go on the wolfs board on a random thread and post "Blimey you can have both points then, seeing as 90% of you we're predicting a wolfs win and most by some considerable distance and we don't want to upset you".

At which point I'd be laughed off your board much as you are on here.

A great result surely for the 17 who went out there. As I was driving in the teams were announced on the radio and I did fear for our pack, especially the 2nd row. Faz n Hughes v Westwood and Waterhouse. The Wire guys are huge and ours are not.
There was also the chat about how many players were missing from last year's matches v Wire. We were missing eight from last year's home game to Friday night. All those experienced players last year and they lost!
The performance by the squad was superb from first minute to last. No one can doubt the commitment by every player to give everything for the cause. Same for the Wire players too.
Our pack was good enough, the halves were superb and the backs excellent in attack and defence.
Wire were good too and we saw six very good tries.
Smith was my MON as matches depend on pivotal moments and turning points. Matty Smith provided those when he grub kicked to force a goal line drop out. From that set it was Smith's cut out pass that gave Goulding the space to get the ball out to Josh who went over. That score was crucial to me. Wire were 0-6 up and I thought it a must we score next to keep us in the game. For Wire to go 0-12 up I'm not sure how such an inexperinced team would have coped. Brilliant play by Matty Smith in both respects and a real turning point in the game IMO.
What a great game for the 2nd week into the season.
All the doom and gloom has been put to one side now. There will be highs and lows but this squad is so talented the Wigan club is in now in a very fortunate position for the coming seasons.

Anyone got stats on the metres made on both packs?