Wigan rely heavily on French, and a loss of either Farrell or Field hits them hard.
That sort or reliance won’t help Wigan across a season of wholly.
They found their Mojo when it mattered most.
They are not that far ahead of us, and we have a whole lot more improvement to come.

Sam still has a lot to prove, and I think we’re a good test case for him.

There was never any doubt that Sam would have got an instant reaction from the players. Just by being who he is, players will want to impress him, want to listen to him and have him hear their voices too.

But he’s had it all his own way so far. Limited impact to pre-season with only a few players away on international duty, a deep squad with youngsters ready for a chance and we couldn’t have had a better fixture list if he picked it himself.

But the momentum will change. Results, injuries, form will all hit a dip at some point. And the shine and aura will dilute the longer he is here, so can’t fall back on his playing career to command respect.

The May run of Hull KR, Catalan and Wigan with a cup game (potentially) in the middle will be a huge test. We saw last year that when we didn’t get our own way, we struggled to arrest the spiralling momentum.

Firstly, we need to cash in while we can. London, Catalan, Leeds, Leigh, Salford and Hull is not an easy run, with teams who want to compete for the same positions that we are looking at. But with a good feel in the place, boosted with some players returning from injury and those replacements fighting to keep the shirt, we need to look to progress through the cup and pick off at least three of those games. But it’s vital that if we lose one, we stick together, don’t get in our own heads and stick with the system.

That will be the test for Sam, and realistically looking at South’s and the way they imploded at the back end of last season and can’t seem to find a way out yet, it’s the perfect audition if he does have sights on that job.

On the contrary Barb.
I see all our games till Wigan/ Catalan away as very winnable.
I’d be very disappointed with anything else.

I hope he sees out the 2 years with us, if he can turn us in to title contenders we are a much bigger draw for coaches from the nrl as a proving ground. Hopefully he will change the culture and get us over the line but even if he just improves the culture and makes us a team that's challenging for all trophies and sitting in the top 2 or 3 of we will be a lot more tempting for bigger name Coaches after 2 years.

I just want him to finish that job before he goes and gets the big nrl role which he seems nailed on for.

I think we'll definitely get a minimum of 2 years out of Sam, I wouldn't be surprised if he extended if he feels he has unfinished business. He is young and has plenty of time on his hands for an NRL return.

I agree fully with anyone going against this ridiculous narrative going around that this Wigan team is somehow unbeatable. I think Saints having all that success in one go has built up peoples expectations now that the team who wins a Grand Final just goes on and dominates for a spell. We've got a good side, no doubt about that but loads can go wrong and that is on top of the team also needing to screw their heads back on after Grand Final and World Club challenge wins. It's a long season and anything can happen. Saints are every bit as good as Wigan IMO, at least in terms of the first 17 and they could easily put a pin in us if we're off at any point. In a one off game clubs like Catalans, Wire, Leeds, HKR etc could also catch Wigan cold as well.

What I will say though, is that this Wigan side also has loads of improvement in it. It's quote young in the main and some new players are still settling in. It doesn't get pointed out (and rightfully so because of the depth) but Wigan have some big players missing currently. Guys like Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Mike Cooper and Kruise Leeming will add plenty. The side has also been doing 'just enough' to win the leagues games this season and aside from the Penrith game, has been nowhere near it's best, so there is masses of improvement in it yet.

I like Walters. I don’t think many of the already also-rans like us, Catalans, HKR will be losing much sleep over the return of Kruise Leeming and Mike Cooper.

The honeymoon period at some stage this season will go a bit iffy..that’s when we will see how good a young coach Sam is and the potential he will show.. if can come up with solutions to the problems that may arise.. it’s the Burgees effect at the moment with some small signs of improvement in the playing style.. if the lure of Nrl comes early for Sam then it shows he is steering Wire in the right direction..

Walters is a shrewd signing but there was no way he would have signed for us with all the turmoil of last season with Powell.

Junior Nsemba looks to have a great future in Super League. I rate him very highly. A very powerful forward with superb handling skills and strong defence.