: Thu Mar 26, 2009 12:53 pm  

Wigan/Leeds Andy wrote:

There's a lot of insecurity about the Latics on here. Given their current position and profile I put it down to jealousy about them.

Both teams are eighth in their respective top flights aren't they?

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 12:54 pm  

To me, its more a sign of things to come.
Normally, the name wouldnt matter, but following on from last years acrimonious scheduling dispute, it takes on more significance.

When the ground share started, we all assumed it was under equal terms, with neitehr football or rugby having the upper. Now we know different, and understand that Latics will take precedence, whenever DW feels that they need it. As the increasingly self proclaimed "owner of Wigan FC", naming the stadium after himself further reinforces the perception that we are "renting a room in the football house".

Personally, I now have a deep mistrust of the man (NOT hatred), and see this as him further reinforcing the fact that HE owns the ground, HE owns the Football, and that we only play there on HIS permission.
ReBranding JJB Fitness as DW Fitness is just another sign of his increasing megalomania - its not as though his name is worth anything as a brand, so its pure and simple EGO.

Somehow, the Rugby have got on the wrong side of DW, and IL doesnt appear to be the type of person to be able to be able to rekindle the relationship.

Thats why I think this is more than just a rebranding exercise.

Of course, I could just be paranoid

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 12:57 pm  

ROBINSON wrote:

Both teams are eighth in their respective top flights aren't they?

I prefer to look at it as 14th from bottom and 6th from bottom.

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 1:00 pm  

ROBINSON wrote:

Both teams are eighth in their respective top flights aren't they?

Latics are 7th.

Which if they stay in that position will mean European football next season. If that happens I don't think the NHS in Wigan will be able to cope with the reaction of the bitter and twisted.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 1:11 pm  

No one cares about the Latics or even football for that matter. Can't believe some people think they do.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 1:15 pm  

ROBINSON wrote:

Both teams are eighth in their respective top flights aren't they?

We are 9th and Latics are 7th

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 1:32 pm  

Coventry Warrior! wrote:

We are 9th and Latics are 7th

yeah but we have got 23 games in hand on them

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:21 pm  

Well, i always used to call it "The JJB" when we were heading to your end, but i guess now it will be "Robin Park" for me, purely because "The DW" just sounds like a pub or something along those lines. It would also confuse the c**p out of me, as my memory has been shockin this last year or so

I guess this is an equivalent (for want of a better word) of Knowsley Road officially changing its name to the GPW Recruitment stadium. I don't think i've ever heard anyone call it that in regular conversation. Its still "Knowsley Road", "KR", "the s**thole" (all away fans, most home fans!) or "the ground" (anyone calling it "the stadium" needs their eyes and y'ed testing).

As has been pointed out, the bigger worry is Whelan's blatant favouritism of the soccerball team. All good and well for the Latics getting where they are, but (despite the jibes from other teams' fans) i'm pretty sure everyone involved in our game would prefer a Wigan team that isn't getting b\/mmed backroom. Maybe on the pitch though (though not literally in a ghey sense).

And there it went. Post finally trailed off....... apologies to those who spent time reading it

Whelan : Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:53 pm  

I see that he has got his face and the DW logo all over the papers by slagging Mike Ashley off , Just a coincidence or what that he has just started a new company

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:01 pm  

His comment 'he should get some class' take a long hard look in the mirror dave.