1st September 2010
01/09/2010 11:40:20
G'day folks
Well the fellas are looking forward to Friday and happy to have finally got over the line to claim that Minor Premiers title, its a pat on the back but nothing more than that. Its all about winning at Old Trafford - that's where the marbles are!
I think the three main reasons we've had a very good year so far are Michael Maguire, Shaun Wane and Mark Bitcon. They're first in last out these guys, and the work ethic of them has been passed down to everyone in the squad. Our fitness this year has been great; we're bigger, faster and stronger than in the past and it has really helped us secure top spot.
Another reason behind it for me is the back up we have here at the club, we've got some talented kids here and a superb mix of seasoned pros and fresh faced juniors. When needed we've had players who can step into the side for four or five rounds and mix it with the big boys.
Cementing top spot was a great feeling for the guys and the way we did at Hull KR made it even sweeter, we had a slight hiccup after half time but dug deep and really showed our class. Once again Paddy Richards was on fire and fingers crossed he will get the points he needs this weekend to break Andy Farrell's record for points in a regular season.
Last week the lads went up to Edinburgh for some time away. Madge wanted to take everyone away and refresh ahead of the play offs. Trips like that are also very good to help with bumps and bruises, you'll get players having physio at 11 in the evening which is obviously hard to do when you're at home. Unfortunately I was unable to attend as I was having intense physio all week in Wilmslow with a company called Harris & Ross; I went there last year when I ruptured my achilles and hopefully with their help I'll be back soon.
The way its shaping up at the minute we could face any one of Leeds or Hull in our first play off game, in all honesty we are not bothered who it is. It's the play offs, you have to beat whoever is put in front of you.
Before the play offs though we have a final league game against Bradford on Friday night. It may look like a nothing game but we are taking it very seriously, no one wants to head into knock out football on the back of a good hiding! Rugby League is all about momentum and we will be looking to get the right result and with it a good performance.
Finally, at the time of writing, I think an announcement is imminent about my future, so I'll save that for another day.
But make sure you get down there on Friday and pump up the volume!
BAILS
18th August 2010
18/08/2010 11:25:46
G'day folks
The term I think I'll use for Sunday night is 'close but no cigar'! We were just a few points away from nailing top spot but unfortunately it just didn't go our way.
The game had it all didn't it? Some great tries, crunching tackles and even a big old brawl. It went down to the wire and it was fantastic viewing. The guys today are disappointed with the result, we let it slip away that's for sure. We had our foot on the throat but we let them go, we just weren't clinical enough at times and left the door open for them.
Being down at the ground on Sunday and milling around before the game it did hit me how many players we have out at the minute, by my reckoning nine first teamers missed the game. We have been relatively lucky this year and hopefully we can start to get more bodies out there competing for spots again. Talking of injuries I feel I ought to mention Leeds pair Jamie Peacock and Luke Burgess who picked up a couple of nasty ones this weekend against Cas, no one likes to see players injured and everyone here at Wigan wishes you a full and speedy recovery fellas.
Once again on Sunday I took up a position in the commentary box with a couple of the guys from BBC Radio Manchester to give my thoughts on the game. I've done it a couple of times this season now and although I'd much rather be out there on the pitch rather than injured, I quite enjoy it and it's a great way to take the footy in.
This past week the RFL announced that the Magic weekend would move back to Cardiff and also move forward to become the opening weekend of the season, why not? Let's give it a whirl I say and see what happens.
It's getting real close to the business end of the season now though so we can't dwell on the Huddersfield result too much but just try to get it right next time out at Hull KR. We've already started to do our homework on them and let me tell you it's going to be a tough tough game at New Craven Park. I think they've turned over Saints, Wire and Leeds there this year so we can expect a tough reception. Thankfully the Robins won't have Josh Charnley on the wing for them, he's been going great from what I've heard and seen.
Ok well I best get off now, enjoy your rugby!
BAILS
3rd August 2010
03/08/2010 12:52:07
G'day folks
Hows it going? Well as you'd expect the mood is good in the camp at the minute following the win at Headingley and the result on Saturday night too. We're not quite over the line yet but fingers crossed we should grab that minor premiership quite soon and it'd be good to get that one ticked off. Don't worry though we are all well aware that today no one remembers the side that finished top, its the winners of the Grand Final that are the champions are that's exactly what we are aiming for.
Friday was a ferocious encounter and I'm sure Sam still has a bit of a headache now. I've had several people asking me about the incident and I'm not quite sure what the answer is to be honest, all I do know is that the incident going on report doesn't help us in the slightest. I also think everyone who watches the game would like to see more consistency in the decisions too, it's hard to see where the authorities are coming from at times.
Back to the game and Paddy Richards once again showed why he must win Man Of Steel, I know I'm biased but no one gets near him for me this season. I sound like a stuck record sometimes but Lockers was nothing short of amazing and I also want to tip my hat to Feka, the big man made a very good positive impact on the game coming off the bench. I was at the game commentating for BBC Radio Manchester and it's hard sitting there trying to be diplomatic and professional when you just want to be jumping up and down when we score.
We're carrying a few bumps and bruises at the minute and the physios have been using plenty of strapping of late so it's nice to get a week off now. Obviously we'd rather be playing in the semi finals of the cup but we have to turn that negative into a positive and use it to our advantage.
With regards to my injury I'm having a final injection this week to help with the swelling (of my achilles) and then hopefully I can get back to full training and try to force my way back into the team.
Hopefully Madge should be back with us at some point over the next week, the guys are all thinking about you and your family at this difficult time. I know the fellas have been trying even harder these past few weeks and it's great we've managed to get two good wins for you.
This past week my old mucker Trent announced he was to call it a day at the end of the season. He's had an exceptional career and thinks it's about time to hang his boots up. Good on ya mate! Enjoy some rest and family time!!!
A week on Saturday we have the annual Fan Day. Last year was a fan-tastic success (did you see what I did there) and it would be great to see all your guys down at Orrell so make sure you get your tickets early as all of the money goes to the Warriors Community Foundation which does some great work in the schools and at grass roots for Rugby League.
Before I go a big shout to my friends Amy & Kendal, they're coming up from the Midlands for the Huddersfield game hopefully they'll see us get the win!
BAILS
20th July 2010
20/07/2010 13:01:13
G'day folks
Beautiful game of rugby league on Friday night, wrong result. That was one almighty encounter wasn't it? Both teams gave it their all but unfortunately Wire just came away with the points.
The guys are very disappointed as you'd expect. The first 20 minutes we were all over them but we didn't put the points on the board and it came back to haunt us. I think both teams came up with a load of unforced errors but that was largely down to the torrential downpour just before kickoff and the sticky conditions throughout the game.
I was gutted to see Moss go off with a re-occurrence of his shoulder injury; keep your head up mate! Moss is a super talented player but he's just not having much luck with injuries at the minute, let's hope he gets some decent news when he has it assessed this week.
All sportsmen say it but there truly is nothing worse than being injured! I've been sat on the sidelines for a couple of weeks now and it's not good at all. Basically I have some tendonitis in my Achilles which makes it swell up the day after I've been for a run. I'm going for another injection this week to try and sort it so hopefully I'll be back sooner rather than later.
Sat at the game on Friday though did make me appreciate how much noise you guys make! It was awesome when Paddy went the length of the field (what a try that was!) and you lot weren't half making some sound. Great effort on the crowd too, I know Simon Collinson and a few others put a huge effort into that one and with the stadium bursting like that it really does make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
Thursday night I stayed in and watched the Hull derby. That was some game too wasn't it? Great to see young Josh Charnley going well, he's a good little player and his turn of pace is blistering. His try was of the highest order and his defensive effort too was impressive. I also have to give a mention to Tom Briscoe, if you saw the game you'll know why, he put in one of the tackles of the season in the last minute to keep Hull KR out and win the game for the Black and Whites. They say defence wins you games and it's great to see a game won with a defensive play like that.
Another blog and it seems yet another of our youngsters is out on loan. Centre Stephan Marsh has recently joined Widnes on dual reg. We certainly have a talented bunch here at the moment and it's a luxury not many other clubs have, I think it's fair to say we have a brilliant set up with the youngsters at the minute and hopefully we can help them all push on and rip it up in Super League like they have in the Reserve Grade.
It was a shame about the Twenty20 game being called off for the rain last night but hopefully I'll see you all there next Monday. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm gutted I can't play but all the same I'm equally looking forward to heckling you pommies!!!
BAILS
5th July 2010
05/07/2010 14:45:28
G'day folks
I'm just back home from having some physio, the guys are back from Catalans now and seemingly pretty happy with the win out there.
Paddy only flew out on the day of the game as his Mrs' is about to give birth but it didn't show in his performance, I thought he had a great game as did Tommy who steered the ship around the park well. It was great to see H back out on the paddock too just as it was to see Moss back the week before, we seem to be getting bodies back at just about the right time. I think many people forget that we've had our own fair share of injuries this season!!
It was all going really well until Coles got sent off wasn't it? I feel for the guy as I know it wasn't intentional, he just is not that type of player. We play a high speed contact game and he just got that one wrong, Fakir moved a bit and that was that.
Prior to our trip to France we headed to the Capital for the game at Quins, truth be told we weren't ecstatic with our performance down there but we bagged the two points and gained a bit of revenge for what they did to us earlier in the comp.
Sammy Tomkins made the switch to full back for this one and played a blinder, I really think he could be a world beater in this position. I remember playing Billy Slater when he was a similar age to Sam now and the likeness is scary. Sam is a natural ball player with electrifying pace, moving him to FB just gives him that bit more space and more time on the ball which will suit him and his game no end.
Earlier this week it was announced that Piggy is back off home at the end of the season, it's a sad situation all round to be honest. We are gutted to see him go and he is gutted to be leaving but like I said when Trent went back, their is only one thing more important than Rugby League and that is your family.
Being in England over the weekend I watched with some interest the Leeds and Saints game and what a cracker that was. Both teams played some sweet footy but Leeds just had that edge at the end. I think they are really coming to now and will be a real force in the play offs. It was good to see my mate Danny Buderus come up trumps too. Leeds have started to utilise him more now and that will only make them a better team. The guy is class through and through.
Just a couple of weeks from now we'll be doing battle in the inaugural Wigan Warriors Charity Twenty20 game, it should be a great game and I cannot wait. I fancy our chances though as we don't have any South African's that you call upon and use to win like England cricket team usually do! (Editor's note - not bitter about England winning the recent one day series are we Bails?)
A few days before that though we face Wire at the DW in what is sure to be one heck of a contest, hopefully as many of you as possible can get there but I'm sure a few neutrals will get down to their local as it will be the first Super League game to be shown in 3D. Personally I think Lee Mossop is ugly enough in 2D, but if you want him jumping out of the screen at you then be my guest!
See you on Friday
BAILS
22nd June 2010
22/06/2010 12:21:01
G'day folks
Well I hope you've manage to catch your breath after that game on Sunday!! That was pretty intense wasnt it?
It was certainly one tough encounter and we're gutted to have been on the wrong end of the scoreline. We've had a look at the video and we certainly missed a few opportunities. We started really well but came up against a very strong Saints defence who held us out and took their chances. Their were some battered and bruised bodies afterwards in the changing room, ‘Tuse' sat there with his broken nose, Georgey Carmont with a rolled ankle and a few other knocks too but thats what rugby league is all about.
I have to agree with what Paul Wellens said after the game about footballers stealing a living, dont get me wrong they are fine athletes who are very skilled at what they do, but when you see them rolling around like they've just broke their leg every five minutes and you realise how much they get paid in comparison it breaks your heart. Having seen some of the antics that have been going on at the World Cup it's safe to say if they were playing in my back garden I wouldn't bother opening the curtains.
As some of you may know the game on Sunday was my 100th for the club, to be honest I had no idea I was near any landmark like that. It was nice to be made aware of that but I'm genuinely not that bothered about individual honours, if I was I'd have played tennis or something like that, I am part of a team and we all just want to win a major trophy.
Prior to the Saints encounter we took the trip to Belle Vue, we were happy with our clinical performance here considering the weather. You've got to hand it to Sam, Joel and Lockers for sticking their hands up. All three of them were desperate to play and for me it just sums up the attitude within the team this year.
The evening before all three played for England and it was great to see them represent their country, in particular I think it was very well deserved for Joel. He works amazingly hard to improve his game and is a truly fantastic example to all the good youngsters we have here at Wigan, Joel is one extremely talented kid who has a massive future for this great club.
Whilst on the subject of the youngsters, that was some victory for the Reserves on the weekend, putting 70 points on Saints at any level is not easy. I know we recalled several of them from their loans to see how they are getting on and it seems they are doing quite alright. It just goes to show how big of a difference it can make with a player going and playing open age rugby against men rather than U18s or U20s, just because you can beat up your grandad doesn't mean you're a good fighter!
Well with just nine games left we are ready for what should be a great climax to the regular season. We don't have that buffer that we ideally wanted but we are still sat top of the ladder and know exactly what we need to do.
Right I'm off for a bit more rehab ahead of starting our preparation for the Quins game, let me tell you the guys are still upset after ‘they' came to the DW and turned us over so well be ready for this one.
BAILS