How's everyone think we are looking? I am the first to admit that I was very sceptical about this season and thought we may struggle a bit with an "inexperienced" squad. In the space of 10 games I have gone from being sceptical to genuinely believing that this squad could win the grand final. Our attacking rugby at times is breathtaking and apart from last night and wakefield at home defensively we have looked bang on. The way the young lads have developed i.e Crosby, Burke etc has been brilliant to see. At times we haven't played champagne stuff and yet still come away with the 2 points, which speaks volumes for the "winning" spirit this squad has. I predicted green would be the signing of the season and so far our half backs have been brilliant, the kicking game is a breath of fresh air. I know, we've been here before and fell at the final hurdle, and yes, it matters that we do it in the play offs. But iv been majorly impressed and somewhat suprised at how good we've been. I also believe wane is maturing as a coach, we look more structured and striving for perfection in every game, I doubted wane and was pretty outspoken about how I didn't believe he was the man to take us forward, that is now not the case.

One big factor for me is the depth of our squad, very pleasantly surprised how we've coped with all those early injuries, and I don't think any other club could lose so many and still compete...look at Saints for example (in fact look at Saints again, just for the amusement value!). Leeds, Wire & Hudds have been lucky with injuries so far, but their turn will come, and I don't think they'll manage as well as we have.

Before the season started my expectations were pretty low.

I thought we would really miss the likes of Finch, Lima, Carmont and Tommy so much so that the loss would cost us a number of games especially early on in the season.

I thought it would take a long time for Blake Green to settle in and form a good combination with Smith and I expected most of our main rivals to be better than us at this stage in the season.

Im pleased to say that I was wrong on most points.

The biggest surprise for me has been Blake Green and his partnership with Smith. It seemed that little was known about him despite him already playing with Hull K.R. but for me he has been the signing of the season by any club. A class act from day one who has shown what a classy player he is and on many occasions has reminded me of Trent Barrett with his confidence and skill. I also think that Green and Smith have improved our kicking game although there is still room for improvement but overall it has been very good.

Another surprise has been the performances of some of the younger players - Greg Burke in particular has been immense so far this season and looks like he is going to be quite a player for us. Its great to see someone like that come into the first team and just look so settled - its a credit to our structures and coaching.

The other pleasing aspect has been Liam Farrell, he has just nailed that back row position since Gaz Hock departed and looks like a real leader out of the field. He has easily been Wigan player of the year and would not be surprised to see him starting for England in the WC and perhaps even MOS at the end of the year.

Out of all the players that have departed though it is George Carmont that we miss the most and although we are solid out in the centres I think we have lacked that experience to shut out the opposition at key times, that was evident last night at Hull, at Castleford and at Bradford.

The big test now is if we can be smart enough in the key games (Challenge Cup and Play-offs) because I thought that we blew it last season tactically against Leeds who I feel will be our main rivals for silverware once again.

So far so good though, we are playing some terrific stuff.

I'm starting to warm to Shaun Wane, he looks like he has learned from last season IMO. Now he rotates the squad and doesn't try to stick forwards in where they shouldn't be and we look much better for it. The real test will be in the big cup and play off games though, if we win the league leaders and crash out in both semis again I'll remain unconvinced

Ditto 100%

Better than expected, we need to stop conceding trys when MM goes off for a well deserved rest , also Sam is world class we are going to miss him when he goes he is the difference in tight games.

Similar to how we started last season. With Shaun Wane in charge I don't think consistency will ever be an issue for us.

But we all know consistency wins you nothing. In the tight games against the big guns when the pressure is on, can we perform?

Last year, with more big game experience in the team we failed to get to a final. This year I think it could be a similar story. Hopefully Waney has learnt from last year, but I think the big game experience of Wire and especially Leeds should see them as favourites for the 2 trophies again.

I am sure that Wane will learn a lot from last seasons big game performances.
I don't think that will count for much though this year, as it will be the inexperience of some of the players this season and how they can cope with it,
That will determine how well we finish.

Looking good due to the poor quality of the league. Wire have dropped down, Huddersfield (who beat us) have already burnt out as usual, and Saints who've been a top team for years are having a terrible season.

If I was a better man, my money would be on Leeds, they know how to win when they need to.

Betting* damn predictive text!

Wigan have played 13 and won 10. Huddersfield have also played 13 and won 10. How have they 'burnt out' exactly?

Don't get me wrong, I do believe they will tail off in the second half of the season but saying that they have burnt out already is a very ignorant comment.

I look at the performances. Ignorant not to watch what happens on field.

Yet they've still won the same amount of games as us, and as you said, they beat us. I think next weeks game against Wire will have a big bearing on their season.

It's not damning the team with faint praise to say as you do that we are looking good due to the poor quality of the league. I am more surprised about that than how well some of our young players have done. Mind you I don't think Hudds have already burnt out and I'd put them up there with Leeds and Wire as the teams most likely to give us trouble in either of the major competitions should we have to play them.

The thing is though even Saints can't be written off because with a few injured players back (notably Roby) while they might not be favourites it depends on the state of the sides they have to play in the play offs injury-wise. Such is knock out football.

As to us its very hard to judge because we face quality opposition less than one game in four it seems to me. True the team can only play what is in front of them but I don't think putting shed loads of points on poor teams is an indication of potential success when it matters.

The most enjoyable part of the season so far has been the emergence of the young players especially Burke and Crosby.

Oh aye, winning in France with 12 men is a sure sign of decline.

I've got the feeling that, with the two Browns out of the picture, they will last a lot longer this season.

Apparently the Stainz think we are deluding ourselves, we are now in the downward spiral....
I think Wigan are setting THE example on and off the pitch. If we don't win anything it will because the opposition on the day would have played an amazing match (or that frog would have been referring). The games we have lost so far have been pretty close and probably down to inexperience but this group will always give a good account of themselves and they are a joy to watch..

Whilst there's no question our young squad have exceeded most expectations thus far including mine I don't think any team in SL is a joy to watch. Compared to the NRL we are farther behind than ever before.

Ignorant of you to confuse the issue with facts.

Love the quote from No 1 Saint. You gotta love the Saints fans and the nonsense they come out with. Do they actually believe this stuff or is it a tongue in cheek wind up? Hard to tell but very amusing either way!

The best thing about reading that latest pile of self-kidding horse manure from No 1 Saint is imagining where his head is at present regarding his beloved team. He might as well be in the 7th level of Hell - and he knows it.

Plus, isn't it great being called thick by someone who can't, and never has been, able to string two sentences together in comprehensible English.

Looking at the upcoming fixtures, it looks like there are a lot of away matches after the Salford game. This could be a good team builder and a good test for the youngsters. www.rlfans.com/indexmain.php?fid=28&fixtures=Y There is also the KR cup match to be added to this, good job Wigan have the best away fans!

Looking at the upcoming fixtures, it looks like there are a lot of away matches after the Salford game. This could be a good team builder and a good test for the youngsters. www.rlfans.com/indexmain.php?fid=28&fixtures=Y There is also the KR cup match to be added to this, good job Wigan have the best away fans!

6 (technically) away matches on the run is going to hurt some people's wallets!