Under Maguire I think there was or at least they were encouraged to all get in.



I’m not one of those fans who bags Wane constantly but there is no doubt over the years that some of that spirit and culture that Maguire instilled in the place has been eroded. This may sound silly and non important but even little things like seeing the players going to training camps or turning up for games in all odd training gear is a sign that the place has lost some professionalism and discipline. I’d want my ‘team’ looking like a ‘team’.



Maybe I’m sad

Never heard anything of this. Just witnessed a FB who was under-par then replaced.



I hope I'm wrong, but as cover, Escare is a good signing, as a first team starter? I'm not so sure.

I think you are absolutely correct.

Aim for perfection accept excellence.

The last few seasons we have drifted along accepting poor discipline (on and off the field) and standards thinking that the "Wigan way" whatever that is would see us through.



I've watched all of the interviews on Wigan tv on pre season training and hopefully some lessons have been learned from last season and there appears to be acknowledgement that we need to improve which hopefully we will see with talking turned into action.

john is right

Cheers for that.

no worries

Escare was a strange one from a fans point of view and to a certain extent it is to do with expectation, and managing expectations.



When he joined us he was seen by most including myself as a squad player who would only get a run out when we had an injury crisis.



As I mentioned above the coaches who are paid to know their stuff in both France and England rated him much higher than that.



I accept he is still green and learning which seems an odd thing to say for a player of his age and experience, however he was an absolute breath of fresh air in relation to providing the speed and evasiveness and general X factor that our turgid dull team so badly needed and I think that because not much was expected when he delivered like he did providing real moments of entertainment he became a fans favourite.



It’s kind of a role reversal from Tomkins where much was expected but for whatever reason last year he didn’t deliver and some fans turned on him.



I would say in both cases I would trust the coaches judgement over that of us sat in the stands.



Personally I’m more than happy for him to have the odd brain fart but start and give us as spectators something to shout about in a positive way.

100% agree

No brainer for me.. ST will no longer have the elusive pace he once had, and will therefore be more suited to using his experience closer to the forwards... Escare was excellent early last year, should obviously play at FB.

That’s kind of the point I was getting at. Escare, I think it is fair to say, was good and also provided some much needed entertainment value and quality at times but he also showed signs that he needs time to mature. Expectations were so though that he was described as excellent, which for me is a bit OTT can’t deny though he was good.



Similarly I’m not sure Saam was as bad as some would have us believe, once again more to do with expectations.

Just watched wigan tv and with the interview with wane it sounds like TL and Ganson to 9 and Powell to 6/7 bad move for me better with TL at 6/7 and MM/SP at 9

Shaun Wane knows more about how to be a rugby league coach than me but I’d love to see him start with Escare at FB with Sam in the halves. I’ve said all along I don’t think Powell is creative enough at 9, he’d be even worse at 6 or 7.