Looks like some of our fans are good at 'fishing' too then; appears that he's 'caught' another one here.

You can't be serious. Not after the ridiculous post by The Black Cat.

The point I was making (without resorting to personal abuse) was that actually Wigan ARE worth watching. Despite the bitter comments from beaten coaches in recent weeks and the nonsense posted on this thread, Wigan are playing very attractive attacking rugby at the moment, the team is much better to watch than in the Noble days when we were boring but no-one criticised us because we weren't top of the league! Our defence is fantastic - Saints couldn't score against us when we had 13 men on the park on Good Friday. And we have some players who really are worth watching at the moment. As you will find out on Sunday.

And as for arrogant Wigan fans, the fact that so many people in RL hate Wigan with an unreasoning passion just encourages many Wigan fans play up to the image that the Wigan haters have of the club and its fans. Just look at this thread - there's a ridiculous allegation on here that you hear repeated over and over again, that we "nearly killed" RL - actually I thought that was down to inept management, player development and coaching at other clubs. Though at the time we were "nearly killing" RL, Great Britain could actually give the Aussies a game at international level.....

And to answer another couple of points, firstly I am old enough to remember Central Park. Secondly, do we "belong" at the top? Well its early days yet but we do look like we are getting back to being one of the leading clubs in the game after a decade in the wilderness and I make no apologies for being very happy about that. We don't "deserve" to be top dogs, it isn't our "right" to win things. Winning trophies isn't our right, success has to be earned. But the club has massive potential, Wigan is a hotbed of RL and the support for the club is unrivalled - what other team would see its crowds go up substantially in a season in which it battled relegation? The last decade has been wasted, you can't really blame Wigan fans for being a bit enthusiastic now that we finally have a team that can take on Saints and Leeds.

So, you claim that;




but what you actually posted was;




Think Red Preacher had you bang to rights mate, and trying to act all reasonable after simply doesn't cut it.

cantankerous bunch aren't they? tee hee hee





Chuck a dog a bone and let him choke on it

WIGAN WARRIOS head-coach Maguire is also sweating over the fitness of hooker Thomas Leuluai ahead of this weekend's game with Salford City Reds, with the New Zealand international suffering a bruised foot against Wakefield.

Mark Riddell, Andy Coley, Harrison Hansen and Amos Roberts are already ruled out..

Being slightly pedantic there arn't we?

Totally serious fella. This topic was quickly descending into silliness.

Anyhow, good follow up post. No arguments from me in reply to this.




Mo Lyndsey leaving Wigan probably marked a change in the mentality of Wigan RL. I certainly felt it did as an outsider. They went from, well, all the negative aspects in your previous post, to a far more reflective, constructive and mature mob. Indeed, I was only saying quite recently, that if Wigan won the league this year, would it be a catastrophe? For me, no way. They've been through the mill a bit since the late 90's and have had to change immensely. But, they've now done so in a most professional of manner.
With-this-in mind, I reckon other clubs of a similar standing, should take a leaf or two out of the Wigan club and evolve in order to compete with, and overcome... Once we have some $. we should certainly do so.

I hardly think a jokey reference to 5 fans (I don't actually think that Salford have only 5 fans, you know) counts as "personal abuse".

Good posts, Red Preacher.

Thank you for this sensible post. I don't think there are many Wigan fans that have an issue with Salford. You bring more fans to the DW than the majority of West Yorkshire sides and its good for the game that we have a SL side in the Manchester area - it would be great for the game if you could get that new stadium built as I'm sure you'd be able to tap the Manchester area for more support (I know as proud Salfordians that's a slightly tricky issue for you but there's massive potential there), particularly as Sale are on the slide these days...

WIGAN WARRIORS TEAM NEWS

[iHead Coach Michael Maguire is sweating over the fitness of hooker Thomas Leuluai ahead of this weekend's game with Salford, with the New Zealand international suffering a bruised foot against Wakefield, Mark Riddell, Andy Coley, Harrison Hansen and Amos Roberts are already ruled out.

But George Carmont and Cameron Phelps could both return from leg injuries.

[/i

No. Just pointing out it isn't ALL as you said, nothing like actually.

The time must absolutely fly-by on here.



It's pretty obvious he wasn't fishing - I just put him right.

**:3azkpva5THE LATEST BETTING:3azkpva5**

SALFORD CITY REDS - 6/1

WIGAN WARRIORS - 1/6

DRAW - 33/1

[:3azkpva5HANDICAP ODDS

SALFORD CITY REDS +16 = 10/11

WIGAN WARRIORS -16 = 10/11

TIE: 16/1

What do you reckon PF, worth backing Salford with the handicap? Got done taking Salford =20 at Wire and think the draw at those odds looks quire tempting.

'IF' [iany team can beat Wigan Warriors it's our very own Salford City Reds.

Over the years even when Wigan were at the top of the tree they have never enjoyed visiting the Willows.

If we play to our full potential of course we can win on Sunday...

COME ON SALFORD CITY REDS.....[/i

Looking after my 4 month old son on sunday. I'm not missing the match though, no chance. Cant really bring him in the shed as hel probably have beer spilt on him. Any ideas wheres best to stand or sit?? He's usually glud to the tele when rugby league is on so I hope he enjoys it

[i
I would aim for a seat in one of the wings in the Kennedy Road stand.

The North Stand seating area has always tended in the past to get rather full when we entertain the Wigan Warriors.

Wigan Warriors are expected to bring 3,000/3,500 fans to the game on Sunday.

[/i

Then it's a good job that no-one accused you of "personal abuse" then??

I take my 7 month old in the Family Stand (seated upper tier, behind the sticks where away fans tend to congregate) and have done since he was about that age. Much better view than the main stand and you don't have to pay any extra either.

Normally no problem up there but I suspect it'll be much busier (and hence louder) than usual with Wigan planning to bring so many.

Didn't think he was fishing either mate (hence the

) - just trying to apply the same logic as some of the numpties on the Wigan board (ie. I'll say something ridiculous then, when someone points out my stupidity, I'll claim I was fishing and that they'd bitten?!)

Seems to be contagious though, our very own Black Cat seems to be at it as well now?!

Get into the Austin Trueman stand to the left of the press box it's a fiver to transfer.

[iIf you fancy a bet on the Reds

Stan James Bookmakers are now offering +16 at 10/11[/i

Cameron Phelps will return for the Warriors at Sunday's game against Salford at the Willows.

Michael Maguire's 19 man squad also includes a return for Mark Riddell and a call up for young forward Jonny Walker who would make his First Team debut if selected.

Thomas Leuluai misses out with a bruised foot whilst Stuart Fielden is rested after a tough Easter period.

Wigan Warriors Squad

Cameron Phelps,
Martin Gleeson,
George Carmont,
Pat Richards,
Sam Tomkins,
Mark Riddell,
Andy Coley,
Joel Tomkins,
Sean O'Loughlin,
Paul Prescott,
Michael McIlorum,
Phil Bailey,
Iafeta Paleaaesina,
Paul Deacon,
Eamon O'Carroll,
Lee Mossop,
Darrell Goulding,
Liam Farrell,
Jonny Walker.