Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:27 pm  

Billinge_Lump wrote:

A top four finish along with three of Wigan, Wire, Cats, Leeds and Hudds (though I think Wire will top the table). I also think Wire will be more dangerous in the play offs after last years major (but hilarious) disappointment from them.

The Grand Finalists will be from the same bunch, but with Cats and Hudds as outsiders to get there, once we're in the play offs anything can happen as I think all the teams I've listed will be able to beat each other on the day unless crippled with injuries. I thought last years play offs gave us some great games once we'd got rid of the chaff of the bottom three qualifiers and I think this years finals could be even better.

I think that is a very good summary.

From a Wigan pov the loss of Hoffman can be offset with the return of Hock (a better attacker, but not as good a defender). Coley is easily replaced by Fielden.
The signings of Luaki (sp), Flower, and Dudson plus two really good young props in Spencer and Crosby means that the pack is actually stronger in depth.
IF we can get Roberts fit then the backs should also be o.k but I would like another centre.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:36 pm  

Fielden for Coley ?

Since when?

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:48 pm  

bare minimum expectation for me is a top 4 finish.

However i am confident we will sweep the board and win the lot.

I just look at the opposition and only Wire and Catalan look like having well balanced teams, however i wonder if all those aging legs at Wire will betray them, as they did last season, and if Catalan can translate home form into away consistency.

The pies look very short in the pack. They have lost their two best back rowers in Tomkins and Hoffman, along with their most consistent prop in Coley.
It says a lot that they are keeping their fingers crossed that Fielden and Hock can perform, neither has hit any sort of form for a number of years.
Guy the Gorilla is also an unknown in the coaching department at this level. They will rely very heavily on tomkins getting them out of trouble. If he goes down injured for any length of time, they could be in for an ordinary season by their fans expectations

Leeds have the big game experience, with some very exciting young threequarters, however Peacock, sir Kevin, Mcguire, and Burrows are either in or fast approaching the veteran stage of their careers. Do Leeds have anyone coming through their youth sides with the talent to replace them?
For most of last season Leeds looked like a side in transition. I think 2011 for Leeds will turnout a bit like 2006 for Saints, in that it was in reality the last great hurrah of legends, the following years being ones of occasional success but mainly living life as bridesmaids while a new team is built to challenge the position of top dog.

Huddersfield, they will be the best of the rest. Being capable of upsetting the top dogs but lacking that little bit extra to win battles when it really matters.

The rest are all lambs to the slaughter.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:11 am  

Horatio Yed wrote:

Fielden for Coley ?

Since when?

Up to last year Fielden was one of the most durable forwards in the game. Just lok at his stats v Coley over the last five years.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:13 am  

Missed my point though

You're saying he's a replacement when they both played in the same side last year?

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:17 am  

Horatio Yed wrote:

Missed my point though

You're saying he's a replacement when they both played in the same side last year?

Fielden played half a game v Bradford and Coley was sub, that's the only time they were in the same side.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Sat Feb 04, 2012 9:12 am  

I think this is our year

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:45 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I think that is a very good summary.

From a Wigan pov the loss of Hoffman can be offset with the return of Hock (a better attacker, but not as good a defender). Coley is easily replaced by Fielden.
The signings of Luaki (sp), Flower, and Dudson plus two really good young props in Spencer and Crosby means that the pack is actually stronger in depth.
IF we can get Roberts fit then the backs should also be o.k but I would like another centre.

I think Wigan will be weaker this year as most rugby pundits and fans do. The loss of maguire is huge IMO and bigger than our loss of graham.

I don't think glass jaw will get anywhere near the form he's showed and not a good replacement for coley, coley was a a strong, consistent durable prop which fielden ain't.

The new signings you've mad will make or break your season IMO. Lauaki was a poor mans feka at hull but both Dudson and flower have potential to be decent players and the idiot centre looks like he might not be in super league long.

I'm not writing Wigan off, I just feel they are weaker this year but would bet against them wining trophys this year as i think it's the most open super league for years with saints, Leeds, Wigan, Warrington, Catalan and hudds a capable of wining the grand final.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:14 am  

St pete wrote:

I think Wigan will be weaker this year as most rugby pundits and fans do. The loss of maguire is huge IMO and bigger than our loss of graham.

I don't think glass jaw will get anywhere near the form he's showed and not a good replacement for coley, coley was a a strong, consistent durable prop which fielden ain't.

The new signings you've mad will make or break your season IMO. Lauaki was a poor mans feka at hull but both Dudson and flower have potential to be decent players and the idiot centre looks like he might not be in super league long.

I'm not writing Wigan off, I just feel they are weaker this year but would bet against them wining trophys this year as i think it's the most open super league for years with saints, Leeds, Wigan, Warrington, Catalan and hudds a capable of wining the grand final.

For the last few years Wigan have been a fairly humdrum squad with a few superstar players who've maximised what they have through brilliant coaching and "tactics". They look even more humdrum now having lost so many important players who've been replaced with relative mediocrity, and the new coach will need to be a genius for them to get even near what they've achieved under Maggie. I think Wigan will be doing very well to finish in the top 4 this season.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:21 pm  

Northampton_Saint wrote:

For the last few years Wigan have been a fairly humdrum squad with a few superstar players who've maximised what they have through brilliant coaching and "tactics". They look even more humdrum now having lost so many important players who've been replaced with relative mediocrity, and the new coach will need to be a genius for them to get even near what they've achieved under Maggie. I think Wigan will be doing very well to finish in the top 4 this season.

So normal service resumed then. As it was under Milward and Noble.