Yeah, the LLS is a strange one. I want to see it as a major trophy. For the clubs for whom it is difficult to win trophies who have lifted it, it feels mean to discount it. But it is like if your mum bought you trainers with the wrong number of stripes from back of market when you were a kid. They were definitely, undeniably trainers… just not the ones you wanted, and nobody was impressed.
Part of me would like to see a 14 team top flight with the first-placed team named Champions and an 8-team straight knockout Premiership. I know a Premiership final wouldn’t be the same as the GF, but I feel that more games would matter more overall. And the GF has got more than a bit Groundhog Day imo, anyway.
I’d obviously tweak your narrative slightly to fit a Rovers perspective but much of it I agree with. I particularly feel that Radford’s achievements as Hull coach in ‘16 and ‘17 are undervalued by some Hull fans.
As an aside that kind of reflects how I’m feeling… Number of clubs who became champions in the roughly 40 years between the end of WW2 and 1985: 18 In the roughly 40 years since: 6 (3 of them currently in the second tier, 2 of them last did it in the 80s)
Times change, I know.
As a Wigan fan I really do value the LLS. To be the most consistent team across the season generally means you've watched the best rugby more often. I know that's not always necessarily the case but, for the most part, it holds true. Most of the joy this season and last has been the quality of rugby on display. Games like the WCC or Saturday's semi finals were as much about the manner of the victory as the victory itself. For sure, we'd have taken an ugly win but to do it playing the way we did made it even more sweet.
I can't speak for all Wigan fans and perhaps it's something to do with the multiple trophies thing mentioned earlier but playing good rugby week in, week out (or as near as is possible whilst making sure you peak at the right times) and seeing developments in both the team and individual players is what makes the season.
I'd have to admit though that the trophies are good too!
I would speak to the NRL and make it a 4 team tournament - LLS winners, and GF winners, agaisnt the 2 NRL grand finalists. If the LLS and GF winners are the same, then the losing GF team will take the last spot.
Joined: Sep 04 2005 Posts: 1061 Location: In the land of wishful thinking once more. Patiently waiting for our time to finally arrive.
Irregs#16 wrote:I would speak to the NRL and make it a 4 team tournament - LLS winners, and GF winners, agaisnt the 2 NRL grand finalists. If the LLS and GF winners are the same, then the losing GF team will take the last spot.
Just gives a bit more incentive to the LLS
We had a short spell, did we not, around ten years ago when the WCC weekend was expanded to three games (albeit not in tournament format), think it was abandoned just at the point we would have had a game as Cup holders!
The problem in these instances is that the NRL tend to have an attitude of 'what's in it for us'. They usually need a reason to commit, and the reason is normally cold hard cash! They never seem particularly interested in giving the British game a helping hand unless they stand to gain somewhere.
There was also, of course, the expanded World Championship of 1997, but from a UK perspective, the less said about that lop-sided humiliation the better I think!!!
I've been on the internet and have already got a sense of the fans' passion for the club. They are very fanatical - Peter Gentle 12th September 2011.
Money doesn't talk it swears, Obscenity who really cares, Propaganda all is phony.
I'm the son and heir of a shyness which is criminally vulgar.
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way.
A man who lives in hell can still aspire to heaven.
Joined: Sep 04 2005 Posts: 1061 Location: In the land of wishful thinking once more. Patiently waiting for our time to finally arrive.
Phuzzy wrote:As a Wigan fan I really do value the LLS. To be the most consistent team across the season generally means you've watched the best rugby more often. I know that's not always necessarily the case but, for the most part, it holds true. Most of the joy this season and last has been the quality of rugby on display.
Quote:Games like the WCC or Saturday's semi finals were as much about the manner of the victory as the victory itself. For sure, we'd have taken an ugly win but to do it playing the way we did made it even more sweet.
I can't speak for all Wigan fans and perhaps it's something to do with the multiple trophies thing mentioned earlier but playing good rugby week in, week out (or as near as is possible whilst making sure you peak at the right times) and seeing developments in both the team and individual players is what makes the season.
I'd have to admit though that the trophies are good too!
You might not have noticed, but most people who regularly frequent this board also found your victory on Saturday rather 'sweet' to watch as well .
I'm going to Wembley, hoping to see a good game. Has the potential to be a classic if both teams play up to their abilities, but if you play as you have these past two weeks, your side will take some stopping that's for sure.
I've been on the internet and have already got a sense of the fans' passion for the club. They are very fanatical - Peter Gentle 12th September 2011.
Money doesn't talk it swears, Obscenity who really cares, Propaganda all is phony.
I'm the son and heir of a shyness which is criminally vulgar.
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way.
A man who lives in hell can still aspire to heaven.
BP1 wrote:You might not have noticed, but most people who regularly frequent this board also found your victory on Saturday rather 'sweet' to watch as well .
I'm going to Wembley, hoping to see a good game. Has the potential to be a classic if both teams play up to their abilities, but if you play as you have these past two weeks, your side will take some stopping that's for sure.
I did notice. I must admit to having a few laughs along the way whilst reading this thread
Enjoy the day. I walked up to old Trafford with some Hull fans a few years ago who were 'Wigan for the day'. Good sorts! Had an interesting conversation about whether the correct term was "backpack" or "bagpack". The guy insisted it was "bagpack" because it was a bag you packed things into. I suppose he had a point
Joined: Sep 04 2005 Posts: 1061 Location: In the land of wishful thinking once more. Patiently waiting for our time to finally arrive.
Phuzzy wrote:I did notice. I must admit to having a few laughs along the way whilst reading this thread
Enjoy the day. I walked up to old Trafford with some Hull fans a few years ago who were 'Wigan for the day'. Good sorts! Had an interesting conversation about whether the correct term was "backpack" or "bagpack". The guy insisted it was "bagpack" because it was a bag you packed things into. I suppose he had a point
That's Hull folk for you!! We seem to have a strange reasoning all of our own, peculiar to the City! Think it might have something to do with being stuck out on a limb to the rest of humanity! It certainly feels that way at times around these parts!!
(personally I would use the term 'backpack' as well, but there you go!! )
I've been on the internet and have already got a sense of the fans' passion for the club. They are very fanatical - Peter Gentle 12th September 2011.
Money doesn't talk it swears, Obscenity who really cares, Propaganda all is phony.
I'm the son and heir of a shyness which is criminally vulgar.
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way.
A man who lives in hell can still aspire to heaven.
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