I can see where a lot of Wigan fans are coming from by quite rightly taking the positives out of the outstanding performance of that young side and hypothetically turning it into a win with the insertion of another three, four or five fit players – it seems like the logical thing to do, and is fair enough.



However, the fact remains that when Wigan and Warrington meet these days, one side hardly ever wins. Wigan usually reserve a very shoddy performance for their clashes against Warrington (much to the ire of you lot on here), but yesterday you produced a magnificent performance, which was still not quite enough.



Let’s make no bones about it, Wigan could win both trophies this season, beating Warrington en route, but just as plausibly, the two sides could meet in a play-off match or a final and if Wigan have a one-off bad day at the office, they will continue to lose to Warrington every time, fully-fit or not. That’s because Warrington – Dad’s Army or not – will always raise their game for Wigan, and for all his enthusiasm and great rugby, Wane is not as smart a coach as Smith.



I’m pleased that you’re all so positive about your prospects of beating Warrington should we meet later this year, but I’m sure you’ll understand that Warrington fans still feel incredibly confident about beating any Wigan side, every time we play you.



It was a great game last night. Let’s have it again later in the year.

It's doubtful that you are right about Green and Powell but you are plain wrong about McIlorum. Apart from the fact that we would have interchanged the hookers, a fully fit McIlorum is at the moment, better than Tomkins.

Not sure which direction this thread is wandering in, but I am certain that we would have won with a full team as I am that the sun will come up tomorrow. Composure, structure, physical presence, game know how, fitness, interchange options - everything would have been improved.

We are in the happy position that we can nurse our lads to fitness, drop a few points and still finish top if we are not at Wembley or 2nd if we are, plus then rest/spell players in advance of the play offs.

In the mean time we are learning a great deal about alternatives should disaster strike. We almost certainly won't have to go to Wire again in 2013, and we now have a deep pool of talent who know what is required to beat the best (other, arguably than us) side in the competition on their home patch.

If the last few weeks had been part of a masterplan - give the pivots a break, sort out injuries, expose youngsters to real pressure, while remaining 3 points clear - it would have been a work of genius.

Although I think Powell had a decent game, you would expect Green would have had more success in unlocking Wire's defence and putting on the plays.

Farrell in particular seems to thrive on Green's passing game.

Yep! I don't think that Faz has picked up a four pointer all the time Green has been sidelined. (Someone will no doubt correct me if I'm wrong)