A defeat wouldn't surprise me at all here. There would have to be a big shift in mindset and even if French plays it will have been four weeks since our first choice spine have played together. 


The team picks itself for now but really looking forward to getting Abbas Miski back in there and I wonder if there's a case to be made for replacing Farrell with Walters when he's fit again. 

I've not followed your debate on here but in regards to that point, I wouldn't worry too much. With all due respect to Wakey and all of Wigan's other opponent's in recent weeks/months, the Wigan players just aren't mentally switched on at the minute and the performances they're dishing up currently will be a world away from the ones come August/September, just as they were around this time in 2024, 2023 and 2022. There is no way guys like Dupree and Byrne make the England squad anyway but the rest likely will and they'll be extremely important for us. I wouldn't concentrate on their form as of now, I'd go back and watch the versions of them that played in Vegas, at HKR away or in all the finals they've played in during the previous 3 years. 


It's hard to not belittle just how good Wakey were the other night in being honest but the honest answer is that games away at Wakey, in Dewsbury, at Salford etc just aren't exciting the Wigan players. Matt Shaw, the RL journalist, had it right when he said they look almost bored at the minute. Wakey were brilliant, deserved the win (and the scoreline flattered us) and the work going on at the club is so impressive and really pleasing to see. It's a world away from 5-10 years ago and I think the new owner will look at HKR and think he can do something similar in the coming years. 

I take your point about the players not performing at their peak, but thats a concerning lack of professionalism and is unfair on the fans who pay to watch and the coaching staff.

I don't think I'd call it a lack of professionalism, I just think the coaching staff know it's a long season and probably aren't pushing them quite as hard at the minute, as they will do down the back straight. It's hard to strike the right tone in a debate like this, between not doing down how well teams are playing against us, while still trying to point out that mentally, Wigan's players are just on a bit of a lull. 


There is a really great comparison between Wigan and HKR at the minute in terms of the excitement levels and how motivated both look. Competing to win things (and now having won something) is brand new for the HKR team but it isn't for this Wigan group or the club in general. HKR probably have the mental energy to be up each and every week, throughout the full season but that's obviously more of a challenge for a team already at the top and who went in to the season holding every available trophy. I don't think that's a lack of professionalism, it's just human nature.  

May be wishful thinking on my part and admittedly if I were given a large sum of money to place as a charity bet- I would still bet on Wigan but I do feel there is a sense of too much relaxation with Wigan fans at the moment. There seems to be an almost guaranteed expectation that they are suddenly going to find their form again and sweep everyone aside come the business end of the season. 


However I don't think you've been great for most of the season to be honest. I get that Champion teams find a way to win when playing poorly (I'm also a Utd fan for my sins and we did that for a long time) Hudds game last week was a prime example for you but I do think you need to start hitting your straps soon and start to build combinations etc. 


Whilst you have most certainly had injuries, you have had your main spine all season (bar O Neil) so it would be interesting to see how you go with no Field, French or Smith. French missed the Hudds game where you got out of jail and by all accounts was poor on Friday. 


Meanwhile HKR are winning every week and now have that first trophy which was a monkey on their back. 


As I've said I do still think you are the team to beat in the GF but if you are not careful, the desired form may not kick in as easily as you think. 


The HKR game for you in August will be a good test to see if indeed your players get that appetite back and show them who's boss. 

To add to the point NK is making, we've seen clubs including Wigan go all out in the past to win the LLS, but it has come at the expense of winning the grand final. KR are no doubt playing well at the minute and blowing sides away. Wigan up to Friday have been doing enough to win games (Just about), and that isnt disrespecting the opposition / opposition fans or a clubs own fans. Its about managing the squad and peaking fitness wise when it matters. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to the league, and believe 1st past the post should be champions i.e. if KR finish top this year, IMO they should be champions, but that's not the game we are in at the minute, and if KR dont win the GF, then no-one apart from KR fans will remember they finished top of the pile

Onto Wakey, and it looks like after a few years in the doldrums that you are getting it right off the field, and also starting to build on it. I have been very critical of Wakey in the past with all of the broken promises re new ground etc etc, but also give credit when you can clearly see that you are making strides on and off. I suppose the model to look at is KR who have developed the ground, built a squad, and over the last 2-3 seasons have been reaping the rewards (albeit it took til the CC this year for the silverware)