Re: What does it mean to you to beat Wigan ? : Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:11 am  

Beating Wigan is always satisfying. Even when the Pies were really at their worst, and Saints were completely dominant, there was still some pleasure to be had there. But the real passion for it had faded. Back in 1996-2002, beating Wigan was as sweet as nectar each time, after the miserable previous decade. After 2002, it seemed less important, and less relevant than beating Leeds or Bradford. Then Bradford declined, and only Leeds were left who I really cared about beating. I could never motivate myself to care as much about beating Wire. So it's good to have the Pies back to a place where beating them means something, rather than is just a pleasant expectation.

On the other hand, the sensation of losing to them has never changed - I hate it. Always hate it. I'm in a foul temper for at least 48 hours after each loss. The wife and kids know to avoid giving me an excuse to be stroppy at those times. Losing to any other club pales by comparison. I recover from defeats by other teams much faster.

Re: What does it mean to you to beat Wigan ? : Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:34 pm  

Roy Haggerty wrote:

Beating Wigan is always satisfying. Even when the Pies were really at their worst, and Saints were completely dominant, there was still some pleasure to be had there. But the real passion for it had faded. Back in 1996-2002, beating Wigan was as sweet as nectar each time, after the miserable previous decade. After 2002, it seemed less important, and less relevant than beating Leeds or Bradford. Then Bradford declined, and only Leeds were left who I really cared about beating. I could never motivate myself to care as much about beating Wire. So it's good to have the Pies back to a place where beating them means something, rather than is just a pleasant expectation.

On the other hand, the sensation of losing to them has never changed - I hate it. Always hate it. I'm in a foul temper for at least 48 hours after each loss. The wife and kids know to avoid giving me an excuse to be stroppy at those times. Losing to any other club pales by comparison. I recover from defeats by other teams much faster.

Could not have put it better myself.

Re: What does it mean to you to beat Wigan ? : Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:18 pm  

I'll be worried about Wigan again in 2022 as they win the Grand Final only once every 12 years. And that's with salary cap breaches. (Saints breaches were entirely honourable and forgiveable of course).

Prior to last season, getting beaten by Wigan in the SL was like being called names by a 3-year old: you take with good humour because they don't understand what they're saying. Last year, it was more like being beaten at chess by a 6-year old: embarrassing, but then you know that will probably be their high point in their lives.

I[m joking of course because the bite has never left the fixture. I remember pre-SL Wigan-Saints games in detail I don't for other fixtures. I even remember the weather for flip's sake!

So, what's it like to get beaten by Wigan? It's like a scream that echoes down your years and never quite goes away, even when you win.

Re: What does it mean to you to beat Wigan ? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 10:24 am  

pilgrim wrote:

It's like a scream that echoes down your years and never quite goes away, even when you win.

LOL

Re: What does it mean to you to beat Wigan ? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:47 am  

pilgrim wrote:

I'll be worried about Wigan again in 2022 as they win the Grand Final only once every 12 years. And that's with salary cap breaches. (Saints breaches were entirely honourable and forgiveable of course).

Prior to last season, getting beaten by Wigan in the SL was like being called names by a 3-year old: you take with good humour because they don't understand what they're saying. Last year, it was more like being beaten at chess by a 6-year old: embarrassing, but then you know that will probably be their high point in their lives.

I[m joking of course because the bite has never left the fixture. I remember pre-SL Wigan-Saints games in detail I don't for other fixtures. I even remember the weather for flip's sake!

So, what's it like to get beaten by Wigan? It's like a scream that echoes down your years and never quite goes away, even when you win.

You need to get your facts right. There were no salary cap breaches by Wigan in 1998 and 2010.

Re: What does it mean to you to beat Wigan ? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:02 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

Now Wigan are back on top, beating them is even sweeter, not since the start of superleague have we both been the top two teams at the same time, the real derby is back, bring it on !

Wigan finished top in 2000 with Saints 2nd. Saints went to win the GF. Two challenge cup finals since 1996. Not since the start of super league ............ mmm you have a selective memory.

Re: What does it mean to you to beat Wigan ? : Wed Jan 19, 2011 10:05 pm  

nohalfbacks wrote:

You need to get your facts right. There were no salary cap breaches by Wigan in 1998 and 2010.

Exactly! Even when Wigan breached the salary cap - ie in years other than 1998 and 2010 - they STILL didn't win the GF.

What was it I said about being name-called by 3-year olds....

Re: What does it mean to you to beat Wigan ? : Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:19 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Yet Wigan have beat Saints more in the Superleague era than Saints have beat Wigan. Most strange.

The nice thing about winning is, Rogues goes on holiday
The worst thing about losing is, Rogues cancels his pre-booked holiday

Re: What does it mean to you to beat Wigan ? : Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:54 am  

Benidorm John wrote:

The nice thing about winning is, Rogues goes on holiday
The worst thing about losing is, Rogues cancels his pre-booked holiday

I'm missing the forthcoming one in Cardiff as we're in Tenerife.
However the last two I've missed whilst on holiday were 1996 at Central Park (when Boston & Voll) led the teams out and 1998 at Swansea (didn't Bobby(ie) Goulding get sacked after that after an altercation with a fan at the team hotel?)

Wigan won both those games, a good omen for Cardiff.

Re: What does it mean to you to beat Wigan ? : Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:32 pm  

Many thanks for all your help. Best responses will hopefully go into the Millennium Magic programme.