The next 2 weeks will be the toughest since our remarkable turnaround under the new regime. Facing both of last years Grand Finalists in the space of a week. If we can come out of these 2 games with 2 wins it will really show how far we've come.

Playing Leeds - a wounded understrength Leeds will be difficult. They will be reeling after losing more than 5-% of their games this year and languishing down in 8th. They have some superb youngsters to come in and replaced the senior guys who have injuries. Losing Peacock is a big loss for them, possibly even bigger when you consider Buderus & Sinfield also may not play. We need to play better than we did against Cas. We gifted them possesion far too much with penalties and knock-ons. We need to be far more disciplined to win this one.

Saints will be an even bigger ask. We all may think they're on the decline but with their impressive win against Wire they don't look like they're ready to fade away without a fight. Kyle Eastmond is looking like the real deal this year. He is relishing the added responsibility he has been given since Long left & his all round game seems to be improving week on week. We have the edge on them out wide with some of their outside backs getting on a bit. The added incentive of the last Good Friday derby at KR will make this probably the best game against the Saints in many years.

The next two games will go a long way to show us how far we have gone as a team in the last 3 or 4 months. An unbiased view I think, without a hint of Wigan arrogance

Next two games:

Leeds (H)
Stains (A)

I think will really show us if we are the real deal or not. Obviously the Rhinos have an injury crisis at the moment but it looks like they might start to get some key players back on Friday, including Sinfield and Hall, with the possibility of Smith coming back from RU in time for the game. They won't want to fall 8 points off the lead so early in the season and will be hurting after the last couple of defeats and I expect a close game. Likewise with Stains - it's time to deliver in a derby game and I for one can't wait for Good Friday.

So in our next two games if we win:

0 - our detractors will have some justification that our bubble has burst
1 - (which is what I expect) I'd say will justify our position at the top
2 - we are the real deal and should have even our most anti-Wigan critics worried

If we play for the 80 minutes and sort out some of that sloppy defence that has crept in I see no reason why we can't win both given our attacking form, but I don't see that happening and bizarrely can see us losing on Friday and winning at Stains.

Jeff beat me to it! Best merge into his thread.

Haha, great minds Andy, Great minds!

Fools seldom differ



Threads now merged.

I preferred my title

I've said before that we'll have a much better idea of where we really are after Easter. That includes the Wakefield game, they also have only lost two games this season, and coming so soon after the Good Friday game will be another good test for us.

It sure is an exciting couple of weeks to be a Wigan fan, sitting nicely at the top of the tree. These next 2 games will prove if we really deserve to be taken seriously.

Leeds are understrength but they seem to like playing at our place and always raise there game when doing so. It will be one hell of a game of Rugby League. We should have the power in the pack. Losing Peacock for leeds is a massive blow, true leader in every sense.

Then we have the small matter of potentially the last ever derby game at KR. An game Saints will not want to lose simple because of that. Plenty emotion, plenty rough tough stuff will be on show!

Easter Monday is also going to be a tough one for us, Wakey have been playing some good rugby so far this season with the exception of the Hudds game.

Of course we want the maximum 6 points, but i would be a happy fan with 4 points from the 6.

Bring it all on

Summed up nicely there Hogan

As Hogan just posted I'd actually add the Wakefield Easter Monday game into this "real test". Ideally we want to win all three but I've been saying for weeks that if we finish Easter top or joint top of the table I'll be really pleased. We shall see.

4 point from 6 and we can say with confidence we are the real deal, 6 from 6 and the RFL may as well just hand us the title now.

The next 3 will be a good guide to how good we really are. I would take 2 wins from 3 games, i think we will beat Leeds and Wakey but lose to stains. If we win all 3 we will be leading the charge for silverware by some margin.

This is my view also. As much as i want the win on GF.

a mouth watering prospect are the next 3 weeks. i will take 4 from 6 right now. only time will tell. I think we will beat leeds. think saints and wakey away are the potential banana skins

If people had to pick which game they'd rather win either Leeds or Saints which would it be?

Obviously by beating Leeds we'd maintain are 100% home record, where as beating Saints would be awesome because it'd be more than likely be the last time we play them at KR.

I think we'll beat Saints. Purely having Wane as assistant will fire the boys up immensely. We'll be more up for this derby than any in years.

Win over saints would be my choice. Weve already got a healthy lead over Leeds and with it being probably our last derby at KR it would hurt saints a lot if we beat them.

Saints without a doubt

deffo stains . would love to see us bash em

I would say the opposite, we rarely play well (or you just play better) at your place even when we have been in good form.

"I will be satisfied with nothing less than 3 wins....and I won't even be happy then unless the performances are perfect too!"*


*Copyright: M. Maguire/S. Wane

If a Genie said "you can only win one of your next 3 games, which is it to be?" I would pick the Saints game.

However, I fully expect us to stuff Leeds, beat Saints and be too good for Wakefield. We have a strong squad and we will use it.

I think we will lose to saints unfortunately, still not convinced about our away form but our home form has been superb and theres no reason why we should lose to a depleted Leeds side and Wakefield IMO.

Leeds will up their game, even with 7-8 out injured which is a massive blow they still have some quality in their 1-17

We will be favorites which is added pressure IMO, and if we lose there will be more pressure to win a 50/50 game at best against saints

I am not confident that we (Leeds) will get near you on Friday.
Not only do we have a fair amount of players missing through injury.
We also have the likes of Webb and Delaney clearly struggling with injuries that normally they would not be playing.
Whilst we have a good squad the team are missing specilaised wingers and a key player in Sinfield not to mention the likelihood of JP missining which will be an even bigger blow.
By rights you should win this by plenty.
Thought I would get my excuses in early.
It could be worse they could give us Silverwood to blame.