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Mike wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2025 4:35 am The argument is inconsistent too. The idea that the players are writing off the first two games to get to Vegas because it's a big event, and then that they're not taking Vegas seriously are opposites and both are required to lose the first four games. I'd say losing the match after Vegas is pretty likely, but the build up should be similar to the WCC where we try to play into form to peak for Vegas and then dip slightly afterwards. Last season we managed without any significant dip and that's what made the season remarkable.

I had a feeling we'd lose the first 3 games simply because it was a genuine possibility regardless of whether we played Wire in Vegas or at home.

Leigh at home in the opener was never the foregone conclusion some people thought it would be. They are a strong side and opening games can be influenced by how quickly teams have got up to speed following pre-season.
We've lost the last 2 games we've played away at Hull and that's when they were playing badly - they might be starting this season quite well and I think that's going to be a very difficult game.
Then the game against Wire is a toss of a coin with things like travel and preparation being variables which ccould affect how either team performs.

I am not at all giving up on a team who have given me untold joy over the last few years. Even after likely losing lots of games before and after the Vegas jolly, we have the potential to have a great season.

Rather, I haven’t seen or read anything that persuades me that Vegas in any way benefits the team in 2025. Indeed, everything I have seen and heard suggests that the players are loving the chance of a jolly (and why not, they’re young lads). Having lost against Leigh, I would be very happily surprised indeed if we even get close to FC this week, and astonished if we are in any shape to play well against Huddersfield. I would also be astonished if we don’t get plenty of injuries as a result. It’s just a matter of human metabolism, and motivation: they want to get to the casinos, so why put it all out there a long way from home in Hull?

That’s not to say that I resent Peet and the lads having their stag do trip, playing within themselves in advance and taking a long time to recover afterwards. If they think it’s worth doing because they have earned an in season break then they have given us all so much joy recently who am I to object?

It's not Peet and the players who've made the decision to go, though, is it? That'l be KR. And maybe Danson.

To me the season will really start come Good Friday get that game right and it’s a springboard to greater thing though I doubt Wigan will clear the trophy board again this year I just think it’s to much to ask for any club to do that,but I hope and rather (I know you shouldn’t be over expected )that there will be a Wigan appearance at old Trafford in October.

I did enjoy the game the other night but I just hoped for a bit more attacking flair than what was on offer but credit to both teams defence that it turned into a tactical battle (which appeals to the snooker fan in me)

While i think Vegas could of been an issue i think its worth remembering we won every single trophy last year, and that means we played more games than any other team. I think the lads will take a little time to get up to speed after such an exertion.

I trust in Peet and the team in fact this could of been a good wake up reminder we cant just turn up and expect to win everything again

On tactics, as teams are allowed one captain's challenge during golden point extra time what have you to loose with challenging an incorrect play the ball on the tackle before a dropgoal ? Most teams try to get a quick ptb to give the kicker as much time as possible so its got to be worth looking at just in case there was no connection with the ball by the foot, as this seems to be creeping back in general play so far this season. As it is one of the rules the video ref cann't ignore it and if you loose the challenge then it doesn't matter anyway. Another challenge could be looking for the opposition being to quick off the mafk when charging down your attempted drop when you miss. Its gamesmanship, but using the rules as they are written, every thing to gain with nothing to loose