I know Maguire gets a lot of complaints about the style of rugby he brought in. But actually, under him, Wigan had lots of talented good players, and could play a brand of Rugby that was excellent to watch. Yes, they did the wrestling, but offensively they matched it up there.

This team under Wane is really poor. A lot of limited skilled players, playing to a style that takes us back 30 years. If they were to win a trophy it would not be good for our game. Dubious tactics over talent is not something I would want my team playing, or the game calling a trophy winner.

That's pretty much how I see it, too. Wigan were good to watch, and perhaps they still would be if wasn't for having so many average players. Matty Smith is the best example, no Blake Green or Sam Tomkins around to inflate the importance of his role in the side these days, and he looks absolute gash because of it.

Thing is, and i agree the skill level of the Wigan side is not of the highest quality,would Wane play a different style if he had more star quality at his disposal? I don't think so.I think he only knows one way and only wants players that buy into the way he does things which is fine and it clearly works as proved by the silverware and finals wigan have achieved in the last few years but you are only ever getting one style while he is at the helm.I'm quite looking forward to seeing the difference Sam makes to the current side when he returns next year, he will have a lot on his shoulders in regards to creating that spark for them.

They have just lost a player in Hughes who is better than what they have in side currently. Hampshire, who has skill can not get in the side. They lost players like Hansen because of the style they play, who is also superior to what they have. Scott Taylor is far superior to the likes of Flower and Clubb.

So I would suggest you are correct. I am surprised the Wigan top brass are allowing such a great club side to be dumbed down to that level, because of the poor ideology of the coach. Compare that side to the one under Maguire, his team would wipe this one off the park.

Pretty surprised of some the comments on this board as normally you get from a number of people a pretty good balanced view.
There isn't one team who doesn't look to slowing down the ptb or moving move up fast whilst defending. Teams do it in different guises but they all do it.
Wane isn't the "ape" that some suggest and how many coaches would have coped with the churn of players that he has had yet still won trophies and this season with a poor pack still be in 2nd place in the table? Your coach is so well liked on this board I think that there is thread of several hundred pages begging him to go and he hasn't got a clue on how to use substitutes etc etc
You are a decent team and could win all 3 trophies this season no doubt about that but you are beatable so I wouldn't personally be bragging just yet.
Just one question which I genuinely don't know the answer to but when was the last time Leeds actually headed up the league in terms of points scored in a season? With your attacking aplomb I'm sure that this occurs on a very regular basis. I do know that Wigan on a pretty regular basis in the last 5 or 6 years have topped the league for number of points and tries scored and our wingers have habitually topped the try scoring lists. Not bad for spoilers and lack of flair.

is that a bite?....

It's called a response where I come from!

Leeds last topped the league for points scored in 2009.

2005-2015
Leeds have topped the league for points scored 3 times (2005, 2009 & 2015)
Wigan have topped the league for points scored twice (2014 & 2012)

Saints = 4 times (2006, 2007, 2008 & 2010)
Wire = once (2011)
Huddersfield = once (2013)

In those seasons Leeds scored 8,968 points, an average of 815 points per season.
Wigan scored 8,325 points, an average of 756 points per season.


Not that it matters really because number of points scored isn't always a sign of a better playing style. A try scored by barging over from a metre out or from a kick is the same number of points as a try scored from a flowing move.

here we go again nobody on this thread has bragged at all never mind just yet

So the answer is twice previously but not once in the past six years. Sounds like Leeds were the Stoke City of this decade. Do the stats for the past five years and the whole of SL era and see where Leeds are. Pretty convenient that you chose the stats from 2005. All I am saying is stones and glass houses.
So how do you measure playing style? I think that you are implying that it can only be a subjective which is effectively just a matter of opinion.
Genuine thanks for the stats. I would never have had Huddersfield as top points scorers.

Here we go again??
I took from the thread title that if Wigan are Stoke City then Fallon didn't consider Leeds to West Brom or Watford.

But comparing Wigan to Stoke is not bragging on behalf of Leeds fans ,although Lewis Jones once described Leeds as the Arsenal of Rugby League ,but that was in 1958 and if he had compared them to a football team in 1964-1974 he will no doubt have changed it to another team.Times change

At the moment Leeds are the best team in the competition by a country mile and play great rugby and were very much deserved winners last night. I fully expect them to win all 3 trophies but stranger things have happened if they don't.
Wigan this season are pretty poor particularly in the props which is where I think Leeds are far superior to all teams this season.
I don't think that we will get to the GF to play Leeds but if we did we could pull off a surprise victory albeit it would have to be via hard work rather than expansive play with the current crop of players.

And it wouldn't come as any surprise to anyone if Wigan won SL either

Well this pie eater would be amazed if we did!

Funny enough no, we are more like Arsenal at the moment. The best playing side in the competition, the best to watch, but who know like Arsenal that doesn't always mean trophies. But for the game, I would prefer the stylish teams win.

This

Maybe so if all had their first 17 guaranteed available.....anything could happen bewteen now and then (the rugby gods forbid of course).

Leeds are already significantly weakened with the loss of Aiton for the rest of his Leeds career (on top of long term season ending injuries for Sutcliffe and JJB. After Sneyd's crocodile roll it also looked like we could have lost McGuire).

We certainly couldn't afford to lose another key player without it more than levelling the playing field.

Similarly if Wigan lost MM or Williams (etc?) .......it's all ifs and buts at this stage. Leeds could easily yet repeat the 2005 season

For the record, the comparison to Stoke was along the lines of a team that pushes the rules via their physical play to try level the field against more skillful/flair teams and are effective at doing so but sacrafice thieir own style in the process.

I actually think Wigan have a group of very skilful players in Bowen, Williams, Farrell and to a degree Bateman (dirty little twonk though he is) but the style they play is more geared to ground and pound.

Where does that leave Leeds? Where ever you like, it was just an analogy to say I think Wigan are gash to watch. Oh, and never did I say Leeds will win everything. Seems some folk get mighty touchy.

Exactly

Wigan have played some exciting Rugby and have scored some great tries this year.
Joe Burgess's effort at Newcastle being typical.

It's funny watching the frog eyed Roid O'Loughlin stagger from tackle to tackle and just collapse on top of the tackled player and 3 or 4 defenders. He has become a joke, like an arthritic pub drunk just pushing and dragging Leeds players over every time they played the ball in the last 20 minutes without any punishment from Silverwood. I had to laugh when he got up and started rollicking Silverwood before he played the ball and Silverwood wasn't man enough to penalise him the big girls blouse. it would be the most spiteful Grand Final of all time if we ended up playing them.

Exactly which is why I am an Arsenal Season ticket holder (10 years) and a Rhinos supporter (48 years)

Grow up soft lad.
Frog eyes?
I despair at times.
I will await your jovial response.
Suppose if in the unlikely event of Wigan making the grand final we should make it a game of tick and pass to avoid upsetting your gentle feelings.

In his book written in 1958 Lewis jones devoted a chapter to Leeds RLFC which he called The Arsenal of Rugby League