Re: Realistic expectations this season? : Thu Jan 13, 2022 1:30 pm
Realistic hopes/expectations for me 3rd to 4th, more entertainment, more variety and innovation in our attack and more competitive games against the top sides. I think the problem Peet faces is there will always be a section of the Wigan fanbase who won't have realistic expectations - for them it will always be a case of win a trophy = success, win nothing = failure. I don't think that's a fair way of looking at things, particularly as the squad on paper does not look to match up with St Helens and Catalans (despite the improvements made). I'm sure the coaching team will move us in the right direction but they can't work miracles. The reality is if I were to pick a combined Wigan/Saints side today there would be a maximum of 3 Wigan players in it (French, Farrell and Bateman) and that would be pushing it considering French has barely played for us over the last year and Bateman's form was poor in 2021. I think the point at which we know we're truly back competing for titles is when we can reasonably say we would pick more players in such a combined team. Whether any of the new signings would get in there we will only be able to assess when we see them play. Then you have to assess if any of our younger players have enough untapped potential within them that they could conceivably compete for a place in the (fictional) team. Havard and KPP would have to be contenders for that and I also think Byrne and Smithies have a lot more in them. Less convinced in Partington, Shorrocks, Halsall and Hanley. Outside of that we can only look to further recruitment and higher quality academy products down the road to bridge the gap.
