Quote ="fes"
We're winning and happy we can do so with several players out for some of those matches - eg Myler, Briers, Clarke, Hicks etc.
Pleased with how we're playing generally - and the versatility in the side particularly Grix and Vinnie. Solomona is staying fit and that is a massive bonus as I was concerned that we'd not get him on the park. Early days but looking good.
Maguire has make a big difference to Wigan and they have taken a step up from last season. Not that many changes from last year in personell so that reflects well on him. Still not sure they've enough power up front for the season but time will tell.
Both Leeds and Saints have started slowly - we've seen it all before, but this game is a marathon not a sprint and I expect to see them both up there at the end of the season.
Huddersfield will be up there too based on what I've seen.
Wakey will be inconsistent. Same too can be said of Cas. Both the coaches are good but they're nowhere near the salary cap and therefore will struggle.
Hull are doing well at the moment but I can't help but think that it's a castle built on sand. They've got a good team but can't help but thinking that there are problems behind the scenes. Same can be said of HKR -I thought they were a sound club financially but they appear not to be. They will do well but not perhaps as well as last year suggested.
Bradford - I thought Macca would get the sack at half time against Wigan but just shows how wrong you can be.
Really concerned about Harlequins - lack of strength in depth and very poor crowds and on the end of some real drubbings. Very concerned.
Crusaders are not really competitve and that's no fault of Brian Noble. Getting players is very difficult when you're inj their position financially and football wise.
Cats are struggling but I expect them to be OK - although Walters may go earlier than expected unless they improve soon.
Salford are having a hard time and their future hinges on the stadium.
Well that's it!'"
I would agree with most of that, however I don't buy into the wigan hype. Three home games against average (at best) opponents (Crusaders, Rovers & Dragons) have produced expected wins. Their win against us could be considered fortunate, and I honestly believe that they 'upped' their game for us in a similar way to what we have done for them in the past. For 40 minutes against maybe the worst Bradford performance I have seen in years they only managed to score 20 points, but as soon as Bradford, or more specifically Orford, clicked they fell apart. Four more games (Hull at home, Cas away, Leeds home and Saints away) will show whether or not they are the real deal.
