Exiled Wiganer

If we play Catalans first (assuming no internationals count), we could bizarrely benefit from the ban... At the time, I thought the trip was appalling and the slide one of those things. Having seen them on the TV, I can see why he got away with the trip as his arms were in the vicinity (particularly when viewed from the referees angle). Having seen it up close and personal I have no doubt it was a deliberate trip, with the arms a token effort. As for the slides, Charnley and Sam’s were much of a muchness. (Williams had nowhere to go and didn’t touch Josh for the record).

I know nothing about Zak or what constitutes mental health issues, and am simply expressing an opinion, but he looks like an alcoholic/drug addict from where I am sitting (and like all of us I have met people - including relatives - who have been those). The only people I have met with “mental health issues” have not behaved like Zak. I suppose he might be an alcoholic/drug addict because he is bipolar. Any which way this is analysed, if he doesn’t choose to stop drinking/taking drugs then this thread could run to 10000 pages and nothing will change. I have seen people reach rock bottom with drink and drugs and clean themselves, and I have seen people who never manage it. I agree with the point above that this starts with a choice, though. Hopefully, wigan will at least help him with that choice. Or cut him loose if we reasonably conclude he will never make that decision himself.

From a selfish Wigan perspective, we cannot afford to get into the same position as Cas, whereby his own self destructive behaviour leaves us without a key player at a vital time in the season. Only the experts much closer to this can assess that risk. He and we would need advice from experts in addiction/alcoholism. We almost need our own 12 step plan. His agent suggested he needs to stay off the grog during the season. From the very little I know, it doesn’t work like that for some people - there is no such thing as stopping after 1. Unlike Andrew Johns, he clearly can’t function as a player while he is taking and drinking the wrong stuff, so the risk is much higher. I do not mind if we pass on being the next club at risk that he will not stop, but if we do I hope that we have taken the right advice and that we act on a zero tolerance basis. It seems ironic to me that we had a presentation by Tony Adams about addict sportsmen getting help. God forbid he went to that and went straight to his pub/dealer.

Heaven helps those who help themselves. Unless and until he realises he has to change anything and everything is a complete waste of time.

Williams is worth a spot in a good team, as he will give you a try a game. Lam has already said that he is looking forward to working with him, and I have high hopes that he will kick on. We have played Wire most weeks this year, and the sense I have is that they are much better conditioned, more resilient and have better structure. What they haven’t yet got are the players to execute what they are trying to do. Last night, their defence was superb, and it looked to me that they knew the value of offloads and scoots around the ruck against us. Plus, throughout the second half they stacked their right edge attack, whereas Cas the week before had spent far too long running at Gildart and Bateman. Their passes did not stick, and Roberts lacked the pace to offer a running threat which would have put more doubt into our defensive line. Put Austin and Currie into that side and they could improve upon 2 runners up spots. Smith’s teams were less disciplined, less structured and less well conditioned, and so we could usually rely on them falling away or doing daft things. I would travel with a lot of optimism if I were a Wire fan. You have a superb coach and some classy players.

Just back and the Pepsi has worked too well... First, on us, Manfredi and Gildart are wonderful players. They could both play for England one day. Plus, there was a reason I only had 16 reasons for neutrals supporting us. Happily, after tonight, there will be no need to defend the indefensible. Second, on Wire, I always thought with Smith they had the personnel but not the plan. With Price they very nearly have the personnel but they certainly have the plan. A couple of tweaks to that squad and they will be (well deserved) champions. I feel for the Wire fans - pretty much universally good men and women. Trust in Price.

From my experience, the reason for lower crowds for the semis is simple. People get fixture lists and plan their lives around those. When the semis are settled, a week or so in advance, you are bound to lose a chunk of those who regularly attend because life intervenes. Wigan would have taken 4K anywhere else, of course, apart from Doncaster, which does not even appear on any maps.

Shame we can’t both win.

So, it has sold out? I looked on the RFL web site and it looked that way. That’s really impressive. A cause for celebration perhaps?

You haven’t bothered looking into his past, have you? Take a proper look.

I believe you were standing up for this year’s man of steel amid the widespread derision of his award earlier this week. You should take a look at his back story.

Very sad. God rest his soul.

I understand the point, I do, but there are 3 trophies, and 8 teams have won them in the last decade. I don’t know why the grand final has been so cliquey but would hope that the clubs who won other trophies treasure those.

My mistake. No excuse really. I think SL is devil take the hindmost though...

In response to the point about predictability, I would argue that the GF winners list gives a distorted picture of how widely the trophies have been spread around. In addition to the 3 mentioned, cats, Cas, Wire, Huddersfield and Hull FC have all won major prizes in the last few years. Which makes us a more competitive sport than many.

I think the “we’re gonna get you” comment should be treated in the same spirit as it was written, light hearted fun. TWP have many things in their favour, including access to the Aussie market from an informed perspective. If they replace Rowley with McDermott, as is the persistent rumour, there will be a huge level of improvement. As London followers will recall, he is very good indeed at getting * the most out of the players he has to work with. Plus, he will have some great insights into the US scene from his Tomahawks days. Rowley has done a great job, as has Noble, in putting together such a competitive squad. McDermott would be the perfect choice to polish this off. finally, it is worth bearing in mind that next year is a first past the post season, and so more “controllable”. I am not sure who else will be able to spend up to the cap in that division, but league positions in most sport generally follow the respective salaries paid.

He was an open gate even when he was looking for an NRL contract but the rest of the Saints team were shielding him better. What we saw when the squeeze was on was that better organised defence snuffed him out and once teams broke the line his shortcomings were exposed. I am sure he will go well again in the NRL though: as Cronk shows you don’t all need to be able to tackle to be highly praised over there.

You love your trips to London you lot.

I am concerned that we may not be everyone’s second favourite team. For those undecided whether to don cherry and white specs, if you look beyond the jerseys there are 16 great stories behind the lads likely to be lining up for us.. davies - for people with long memories. My auntie (who will be with us again on Saturday) watched his great grandfather in the 1930s, an era when most players would stop for a cigarette and a shot between scrums... gildart - for people who remember his dad in the 80s. Every great team needs its honest toilers, but being honest I can remember his doing absolutely nothing of note in the hundreds of games I watched him play. Fair to say the son is far more entertaining... sarg - for those with a soft spot for Hertfordshire (probably a niche group). Playing through the shock and horror of losing his brother... manfredi - for those with a soft spot for ice cream. We are lucky to be able to watch him at all after 2 years of agony, let alone to see him going so well. Legs of a sprinter, body of a he man... williams - for those hankering for a running half for England - possibly time to shine for England, with Gale dropping out of the Kiwi games. Once he gets his prominent nose through the line he is a sight to behold... leuluai - for those who like good guys. Was thoughtful and kind to the extended Exiled family when we went through tough times. He has come a long way from giving his all for the Brentford Broncos... Flower - for those who like a Welsh success story, and who enjoyed the look of panic on his face when he broke the line against Cas... powell - for those who appreciate a master of every dark art. Despite being possibly the dirtiest player in the league, oddly seems to attract no ire from opposition fans (that might reflect the level of threat he inspires)... clubb - for those with only 1 kidney. Typical day - morning: jellied eels for breakfast, afternoon - kidney taken out, evening - 20 minutes stints of random destruction, followed by saveloy supper... faz - for those who like their ginger pearls. Following in the footsteps of Radlinski and Dallas, a testimony to the powers of factor 50... bateman - for those who like their skinny strong men. Our best player, and will be missed, but high chance of his coming back after being deported for falling out with his own team... lockers - for those who admire curly tops. Year in, year out, he can always be relied upon to ask for the same hair style for his £5 spend in Hindley Hair Dos... escare - for those who like their oo la la! We strongly suspect that he has as little idea where he is going to go next as the opposition. What’s French for je ne sais quoi? navarette - for those who like a second chance. Was so homesick he asked to be released from his contract, but is now the real deal. Hopefully France will get to see him play if anyone ever gets to organise some Tests for them... Sutton - for those who like Mrs Doubtfire look alikes... greenwood - for those who admire thick skins. Choosing Wigan on his return from the NRL has guaranteed many years of the Judas chants which so upset Gary Connelly before him. Not a bad lot. If only they were playing for Toronto everyone would love them. 😇

I will never be able to look at a flat track again without thinking of Barba.

Any of them would hugely strengthen the squad. I expect none of them will head home though.

They just need to bring home Sarg, LMS and Clubb.

I think that there is some harsh criticism of Gale. He is a Matty Smith type player, who thrives best when there is some control in the forwards and runners around him. Seems to me he is getting stick for not being a different type of player. From his and Cas’ perspective I am struggling to think of 2 bigger losses than Trueman and Moors, when it comes to attacking shape and momentum. Gale would have looked far better with Trueman beside him.

One thing that struck me over the 2 games was the defence of the 4 scrum halves. Leuluai was a monster, whereas Gale was often out of position (hence the swinging arms) and Richardson waved through anyone running at him. Gale is normally better in defence than that, but having even one weak link has a cumulative adverse effect which will take its toll in tight knock out matches.

We will be fine. It was historically about par for the course for this sort of match. Wigan’s crowds are some way down the list of challenges facing the game.