But we had won or were winning trophies during those years. Presently we look bottom 4 and play like a bottom 4 team hence the attendances. Will still get 20k plus versus Saints

Overall the quality of SL this year is dire - you look around DW and there are very few young fans anymore, those that are there are not really interested in the game. The reason for this is down to excitement and I'm afraid that is in very short supply these days despite the fact that every minute matters

Sorry to say I agree.
I'm sure the marketing guys are aware of this re youngsters and will act accordingly

One of the biggest factors affecting SL for me is the way that the referees are allowing the PLB to slow right down. This is killing the excitement of the game. It is creating a boring game. You could have the superstars in the world playing but it would still be dull with such a slow PLB.

Absolutely. And coming at a time when refereeing guidelines in the NRL look to have made a big improvement this season (but let's see if it lasts!), Superleague is starting to look clumsy and laboured.

Latics are averaging 12,600, we'll beat that this season.

I think the lack of a superstar player(s) can't be underestimated. Who in this team puts bums on seats? There isn't anyone. We've gone from playing the most exciting rugby in the league (2012) to probably the least watchable.

And the constant turnover of players is so frustrating.

Spot on IMO.

If your best players keep leaving so will some fans. We've consistently seen our better players leave year on year and that's deflating. It's good that the comp is now more competitive and that may eventually lead to more income and therefore is being able to hold our best players but until it does it'll be seen as a second rate comp.

Ask me to name the 20 most exciting players to watch in World rugby league and I'd name possibly none from superleague.

On the other hand, other clubs crowds are up. Wigan are not a barometer of the new structure. The entire league will be that barometer over a full season, not just a few games.

Wigan's falling crowds are an issue for Wigan. Maybe it's down to the style of play, maybe it the Brigantines banning has had an effect on that section of fans, maybe it's a lack of Tomkins. Maybe it's a lack of marketing. But I would also say it's early days.

Who's crowds are up?
Saints are down on last season, Wire are down, Leeds are down.

I'm sorry but that's us!!

Last night I watched the Penrith Panthers. Derided by some last season as a team of no stars (well, except Jamie Soward, and he was just returned from Superleague, so must be past it, right?), they exceeded expectations then, and this season are going from strength to strength. After an admittedly shakey start, they played the most exciting attacking rugby I have seen for a long time. confidence in the squad is obviously sky-high, and, as remarked in commentary, if they continue with that form, they will be packing them in. So yes, I do think the brand of rugby you're playing is the biggest factor.

I think it's quite simple, everything has declined (players, quality, coaches, refs) but yet prices have gone up?

I'm now paying more to watch a bunch of kids/also rans than what I did watching some of the best players In the world only a few seasons back!

The fans and the players have been treated like mugs by the RFL & owners for years. The players at least can go over to the NRL to get the money they deserve whereas the fans are stuck here and milked.

Who's crowds are up then ?

Saints are

Good summary.
I'd also add that the brigantine element is well down on a couple of years ago leading to the funereal atmosphere at a lot of the home games and even some of the away games.

No they are not.
The Cas game was over 20% down on last season, the Catalan game was just over 6% up.

Maybe "Beware Shadows" should be renamed "Beware Saints Fan having a go at all things Wigan"

And were up 6% overall in 2014 compared to 2013.

Using 2 games as an example is like saying that the league table at the moment holds any validity. There are lots of factors that can be said about both the catalan (first game of the season, last years winners) and Castleford (disappointment of the Souths game, on a Friday on sky vs Sunday in summer last year) games, overall, we were up last year, and have every chance of being overall this year.

So they are down then? and not up as you said.
I agree that it's too early to see how things will out, but a lot will depend on which teams you get at home after the split.

One is up, one is down in the same games

in the first two home games last year vs hull and hkr the attendances are to a man the same and up by 2k on average of you include the first 3 games!

What's the saying about lies and statistics?



I think most clubs are seeing the post split games as bonuses regardless of who they're against ...

On the mobile currently.

So cant check my facts easily. But from memory. Cas Widnes possible hull kr.

But I prefer to judge after a full season. We are not even 10 games in, so as I said before to early to judge.

To be honest (and as a longstanding RL fan I take no pleasure in saying this) I have found RL increasing boring over the past few seasons. Five drives and kick, 13 big lumps v 13 big lumps .... it just bores me.
I used to love watching the special players who used to scare me when they had ball in hand - Drummond, Johnathon Davies, Scot Gibbs.
Even the kids weren't that bothered about renewing the season tickets .... I'm even close to cancelling Sky Sports I've so little interest these days.
I would much prefer a return to specialist positions, a variety in styles of play (at least Saints try and move the ball, proper commentators (Eddie & Stevo are pitiful)and some competent ref's.

the fatc that ther l;eague means very little stopped us getting season tickets. Add to the fact Wigan are "slow starters" there is no point going early season. Get tickets from groupon etc but thats it. Sad state of affairs but thats the way SL has been.

You need get yourself more involed,not everything happens in SL...

That's exactly the way I feel and have done for a while. The kids are bored with a game with no stars or excitement. We may get 3 or 4 games a year at home with a decent atmosphere, the rest are just like sitting in a church. We need big names back in the game who will create anticipation and excitement. The clown, Nigel Wood, talks about a vision but he is not in touch with reality and I cannot see how the game will grow.