I think what the other poster was getting at was that Wigan rotate their squad to such a degree I would doubt that many of players will have played more than 23 games (league, cup & WCC) by the time of the play offs. That will mean sitting out 9 games each if Wigan make the final of the cup( obviously less if they don't)

For what ever reason key players have played very few games:
O'Loughlin - 7
Charnley-6
Flower-9
Pettyborne-9
Bowen-11
Mickey mac-12

The top appearance makers are burgess & Taylor who I'm sure will sit out when charnley & flower/pettyborne come back. Biggest concern is Bateman who has played 14 games this season, but when Farrell & Clubb are back he will probably sit out. Wane has already said numerous time he will leave players out to rest them. So the club are already actively looking to stop burnout.

As I said, the depth and quality of our squad, along with the maturity of Wane as a head coach, make running on empty very unlikely to occur, IMO. That isn't wishful thinking, it's extrapolating from what we can see happening at the moment, namely the ability of young players to slot into one of the most structured teams in rugby league with apparent ease and hold there own against and in fact beat top SL opposition.

That doesn't suggest to me that we're ever likely to reach a point where we are running on empty. Our back-up will slot into place when required. We may run slightly weaker at times, but on empty? Definitely wishful thinking from any opposition fan who predicts that happening.

As for your question about 2012, I did say lessons have been learnt [usince[/u 2011, not that all lessons were learnt [uin[/u 2011.

Squad sizes and how many matches are only one part of 'fatigue'. You're massively forgetting about mental fatigue. The ability to keep raising up and keeping that focus going and not suffering from tired minds as well as bodies. Saints have endured a little period after their impressive start, Leeds are just starting to show signs of it themselves even though the managed to pick up the win over Hull. For Wigan, I'd say they could really do with a similar spell to last year before the playoffs start where they go off the boil, in the long run it'll probably do them good as all teams seem to switch off for several weeks at some stage of the season.

I do agree that Wigan manage to slot back-ups into their team better than any other side in the competition. And they done a great job the last few weeks. But what about vs Hudds opening weekend? Or Castleford away? Or having wobbles at home vs Catalans, HKR and even London before eventually winning?

Seems to me nothing more than people getting a little carried away with a few weeks form. Again this isn't to say Wigan won't be there and possibly win, they've been one of the favourites before a ball was kicked this year. But let's not forget only about six weeks ago people couldn't see past Leeds and Saints. If Wire beat Leeds next week what are the odds on people suddenly fancying Wire to be more of a contender than they were a month ago when they lost to Bradford.

at the moment any one of Leeds, Saints, Wire and Wigan can beat any of the others, it is all about who turns up on the day firing on all cylinders. Loss of key players in the spine could have a big effect on any of the teams and how they cope with those players missing could determine who wins silverware and who doesn't...It is no longer a 13 a side game or even 17 v 17, squad depth with players who can step in and keep up the intensity will be what matters come the business end of the season. any 2 from 4

Well I think we at Hull can rest easy, safe in the knowledge that he won't be starting one that says "this FC team", unless its to say what a bag of sh*t we are at the minute.

I've never suggested that we won't experience fatigue or go off the boil at any point, simply that we won't, as you suggest, end up running on empty.

agreed.

For a city the size of Hull, that is an Horrendous thing to say. A population of almost 3 times that of St Helens of Wigan should mean they are a constant force in Rugby League.

So... This Wiggin team??

those people who predicted the "kids" would go on and sweep everything before them and not lose another game,bet they feel silly now, all those big ballsy statements after beating a poor salford side.

Classic Flexwheeler...

You missed Leeds off your little swipe.....

When you say "those people", do you mean the ones you made up in your head?

Can you remind where huddersfield are in the table in comparison to wigan?

It slipped my mind who huddersfield were playing in the QF of the CC, can you remind me?

I must have both short and long term memory loss because I've forgotten the major trophies that huddersfield won last season? (F*CKING LOL if you reply with LLS), [ubut not just last season, the last 50 years[/u?

hit a nerve?

Lol did anyone actually predict that

This Wiggin team.......... Could go top midweek....

Awesome, you can be this year's Huddersfield!!

Except we can actually win knock-out games... (just not against Cas

).

Back to the top (2nd after saints play) after another display of precision and organised attacking rugby against a mediocre hull team.

Wigan are looking really really good. Best points difference now, best attack, no distraction of the CC and they still have top class players out.

They are looking very likely to retain the title IMO. Credit must go to wane, they play a very good brand of rugby.

Nice way to spin it.

Calling us mediocre is a bit of praise we don't deserve

We ain't that good.

Hull are not mediocre, they're sh*t!! Can you remind us why you have no distraction of the CC.