When was the last time, at Odsal, Bradford fans clapped Wigan onto the field. We should be getting on their backs make it uncomfortable, hostile reception.
Is it because we were like the players, assuming that this game is won so we feel sorry for Bradford.
Going bust or not shouldn't matter. Can we not clap Wire on next time?

I've said this many times why hell do we clap the opposition on? I've no sympathy for Bradford what so ever would the rest of SL be sympathising with us if we were in the same position? I think not.

that would be a nice gesture of good will

I cringed.

If Bratfut go under (they won't) those players will all get a gig next year. Most probably at Halifax.

Is it the fans we feel sorry for then?
The same fans who haven't supported their club for the past 5/6/+ years?
Those 'hard done to' fans?

To add, I clap all opposition onto the field.
It's the idea that 8/9 other thousand fans decided to do so tonight who don't usually.

Why?

I honestly don't get it. I don't care what's going on off the field behind the scenes or how feebly they are supported (this isn't necessarily referring to Bradford btw) I'm not going to sit there and clap the opposition. People near me where clapping when Bradford scored, where the bulls fans clapping when we scored? Just because we are one of the "bigger clubs" doesn't mean that we should sympathise with other clubs. Atleast not during the match anyway.

Awful. Said it before.

Why make the opposition feel confortable? I couldn't believe how many fans were clapping them. I'm sure they felt lovely and all warm and fuzzy inside.

After the game I clapped them off. Before the game.... clapping them is just daft, why encourage the enemy?

I clap all teams on for at least 4/5 seconds. A short one. Out of respect for what they are about to put their bodies through.
As a Bolton Wanderers fan I seemed to have made it a rule since Muamba.

This sympathy clapping is madness though....

Respect. I clap each player on and off the field as a mark of respect for putting their bodies on the line for my entertainment. If some fans have no respect, then that's their decision.

Do it AFTER the game. It will mean just as much. Don't encourage the opposition. Do Wigan ever get clapped onto the field when playing away from home?

What a load of tripe.

I actually clapped them off the field, because in adversity they played as a team and thoroughly deserved their win.

The big question is can Wigan close out a close game?

Gareth Hock tonight cost Wigan with his indiscipline with the ball.

When we got in front all it needed was deep kick and a good chase and disciplined defence, our experienced players on the field didn't do what was required..

I respect every player that comes onto that field, clapping them after the game makes a lot more sense. I respect the referees (sometimes), but im not gonna clap him onto field.

Hock was poor by his standards but you can't just single him out; Lauaki, Finch, Gelling and a few others all had multiple brainfarts at key times (and obviously McIlorum though I thought it was a harsh red). I'd hate to see what tonight's completion rate was, far too many errors and silly penalties. The whole team lacked composure, we weren't setting our plays up and for most of the game it looked like we passing in slow motion and running in treacle.

This may be a little knee jerk after just getting home from the game but I think after 2 games it doesn't look like the Lockers/Finch combination is going to be good enough. I'd be tempted to bring Mellor back for Wakefield.

I bet 90% of the clappers didn't clap them off the field after Elima's antics. If the Wigan fans had perceived a genuine threat before the game they wouldn't have clapped Bratford on to the field.

I used to clap all opposing wingers at Burnden Park when they had to contend with Roy Hartle !

Anyone who thought that Bradford wouldn't have been brought even more together by what's happened to them this week knows nothing about team sport. It was always going to be difficult for Wigan, they were on a hiding to nothing.
They were deserved winners, but Wigan contributed to their own downfall with some terrible sloppy play.

Those Bradford players and their fans did their club proud tonight.

Never been prouder. Not a lot of players would sing to their fans at the end. Its a tough time for everyone. I think that on spirit and determination alone we deserved to win tonight. Despite reservations on it being `our own fault` its very difficult when its the club you love. Thanks for the hospitality

You are not wrong there. Wasn't it him who forced the pass just before half time after we had scored? No need for it.

There were other culprits though. Lauaki was just as bad giving away a penalty about 30m out [uwhile in possession[/u and they scored in the next set. Farrell passing twice instead of scoring twice. Micky Mac's antics need no commentary. Architects of their own downfall.

As to clapping a team on, we clap all teams on and always have done for as long as I can remember. Bradford going bust had nothing to do with that.

we often get the away team's coach climbing the steps past us in the west stand. they almost always get a round of applause simply because it's the right thing to do. There are managers i'd rather see trip & break something on the way back down, but this is rugby not soccer and respecting the other side is part of what differentiates us from the rabid thugs that sit in our seats when we're not there.

I clapped bradford on tonight because the players could be without a salary in 10 days time, those players such as ainscough and pryce once played for our club and we supported them. They provided us with entertainment but yet could lose their careers shortly. I feel sorry for the players, fans and other employees of the club. How would you feel if your employer told you that within 10 days you could be unemployed and there was nothing you could do about it? I have huge respect for the bradford club, bar directors, for tonight.

The reason people applaud is due to sportsmanship. Something that is being forgotten due to the all-conquering might of professional soccer.

Every time I've seen you play there. You're welcome.

I've always said this. It does my head in. It's not a game of chess! And we don't clap Wire, Leeds or Saints onto the pitch, as they are a threat. People only ever clap when the teams either haven't brought any fans like Catalans, London or Crusaders, or if they pose no threat and everyone feels sorry for them.

It's not down to sportsmanship in the main. Fair enough to those who clap every team every week but that wasn't the case last night. I have never seen an away side get a standing ovation coming on to the pitch. It was pure patronising sympathetic applause in the main.

Got that wrong last night!! I had a good chat with a few Wigan fans in the North stand and all wished us well. I usually clap the opposing team if they put in a fantastic performance, don't tend to clap beforehand though. Been a tough few weeks though.