If you go on the VT there was a thread before the season started which predicted final positions which had Wigan down as 4th to 7th. A certain Yorkshire based journalist on twitter also had us down as 5th.

We are close to where I predicted (3rd) which was more hope than expectation, due to last year's poor performances, a new coach and a number of new players.

Still plenty of time in the season yet to go massive awry but so far I'm happy. If we can compete on Friday and in the semi then even better, although our best chance of silverware is the Cup, so would have to cause an upset.

It wont influence my thoughts if saints so be it,if wigan win so be it .Move on and upwards to the next game.
Love these games

Bateman has played more games at centre that Halsall has had hot dinners.....Bateman at centre 100%

I quite like Bateman as a centre, he’s got his mojo and offload back and offers a threat there whist being able to help out the forwards. Also defensively strong.

Hardaker dropped for disciplinary reasons according to Peet in his press conference. Not ideal.

Can’t wait to wave Hardaker bye bye at the end of the year.

Batty will do a great job at centre

Honestly, this pi$$e$ me off on two fronts.

1. What is it about Zak that does this kinda stuff when things seem to be going well. This week of all weeks, is a slap in the face to everyone that's stuck by him.

2. I agree with tough discipline, but who ultimately loses out by him missing Saints on GF? Zak is leaving anyway and the fans are craving for a win. Fine the guy, make it uncomfortable for him but don't self punish everyone (other players and fans) than needs be. Especially when there's injuries across the backline.

I had a feeling that Hardaker not being in the squad would be disciplinary related but that's a big call from Peet. Fair play to him when he's down on backs anyway and playing the best team in the comp. That's leadership right there. Its about setting standards and if he is big on culture like he says he is then he's given everyone a shot across the bows.

This was always coming when he moved back to Yorkshire. It doesn’t sound too serious but they’ve done the right thing in stamping down on whatever it is. It doesn’t help us in this game but it will have its benefits down the track, whether that be from Hardaker getting the issues sorted or just as a note to other players.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... y-23683878

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... y-23683878

Sadly true,good on Peet on stamping on whatever nonsense Zak’s been up to to me it shows clear leadership and as you say sets the marker Peet will accept.

Wigan are currently +10 on the handicap. I always bet on the opposition in a massive game as it softens the blow if you lose so I’m defo lumping on that! I’m really not confident in a saints win at all

There’s no doubt in my mind even full strength it’s a tough ask to beat the best team by far in the league who are at full strength too(or at least not far off). Toulouse showed they were beatable but I just think that was an off day.

Do I think it’ll be a battering? No, absolutely not. I think 10-20pts to Saints but this result doesn’t define our season if we lose, nor would it if we win. Let’s be fair here, there’s not going to be many Wigan fans with a straight face who’ll tell you confidently we’re going to Saints and winning and I’m not saying that to mitigate the loss or get excuses in early, we’d have said the same under Madge and Wane. But it’s Good Friday, literally anything can happen in these games and it’s just as big IMO as the Grand Final or CC Final. So big it’s almost a final in itself.

It’s a going to be an immense day and an immense game. A sell out crowd on a warm Easter afternoon with a game of immense rugby league on show. I cannot wait in all honesty.

Why? I know you've calmed down a lot and are actually becoming a decent poster (never thought I'd say that) but you've always told us how far ahead of the pack Saints are and we're severely under strength, particularly in the three quarters. Even allowing for previous trolling what's changed that you're now not confident?

Not strictly true that we are at full strength.

Both second rows missing (Matautia and Sironen) and also Grace.

Matautia was in great form before his injury.

Zak's timing is perfect as always. I honestly will never understand some of these lads. They've got it all, and they still toy continually with throwing it all away.

I don’t know what Hardaker has done but let’s say he’s been turning in late. Imagine having the opportunity to run out on a rugby league field, in a Good Friday Derby, in front of 18,000 and for the first Good Friday with a crowd for three years and you pee it away for an extra half hour in bed (or a beer in the week or whatever it is).

We are vulnerable out wide because of the way our Defence sets up to constrict the middle. We are lucky because our scramble defence is so good to counter that vulnerability. However, Jai Field and Bevan French have the pace and X factor to counter our scramble defence. That’s what I worry about the most and we haven’t been in the best form recently. I know that sounds daft considering we beat Catalans away but we were nowhere near at our best. Maybe I’m worrying about nothing, but I did call at the start of the season it would be between us and you

Funny you should say that…..

I'm surprised its taken this long. Travelling from Yorkshire every day was always going to be tough particularly as he also has young children. Not defending him but you could see it coming.

I don't know if leaving him out of the side is the best form of punishment though - it only hurts the team and club as a whole. Depends what he's done I guess - I'm just assuming it's timekeeping.

That's what I'm thinking and nice to see I'm not alone on it. Limiting your chances Vs your biggest rivals, in the biggest weekly fixture is madness to me.

Credit Peet for putting long term standards and culture above having a better centre/wing option for a one off game.

Stand by his decision 100% even if Halsall/Miski have a nightmare or we miss an easy conversion to win it.

sort term it may hurt the team, long term it benefits the club

^^this