TALKING SPORT: Craven Park win puts smiles on the faces
"Amos, can I get your thoughts on the win?"
Outside the dressing room at Hull KR's Craven Park, minutes after a 36-28 victory, Amos Roberts pointed to his lower face and grimaced, through gritted teeth, "Broken...jaw. Can't...speak."
"Are you serious?"
A wide grin suddenly crossed his face. "No mate, just joking."
It was good to see Wigan players finally smiling again. They'd had no game for two weeks but there'd been nothing but misery and controversy during that time.
Part was their fault: the fall-out from the defeat against Celtic.
But most was generated by the intensifying speculation over Brian Noble's future and, of course, Gareth Hock's failed drugs test.
Despite players' efforts and their brave words, such dramas off the field can so easily affect their performances on it - and at a time when Wigan desperately need points and morale, they could scarcely have afforded to lose at Hull KR.
Hock is facing a likely two-year ban if the initial findings are upheld by the B sample test results.
I have a shred of sympathy for Hock, because at base level he's an amiable bloke with a gift for rugby who has been told that - of the expected eight years left of his career - a quarter of it is set to be spent on the sidelines.
But if found guilty, he needs to be punished severely, to send out a clear message the drugs can not be accepted in professional sport.
There's a case that those who cheat by taking performance enhacing drugs deserve tougher punishments than those who take so-called recreational drugs, but that's another argument for another day.
Until then, Wigan wait to discover Hock's fate.
It's sad. Sad for Gareth, sad for Wigan, and sad for rugby league.
NOTHING generates and splits opinions quite like who a club signs, re-signs and releases.
But there will surely get a resounding thumbs up from every Warriors fans over the decision to give Sam Tomkins an extended contract.
I'VE got mixed feelings about Antonio Valencia going to Manchester United.
On one hand, Latics will be bidding farewell to arguably the most creative, inventive and exciting player in their history.
On the other, 15million is a lot of money to a club like Wigan, who were also forced to cash in on Wilson Palacios when Spurs offered similar money in January.
No man is bigger than the club, of course, and it is up to Roberto Martinez to spend whatever cash is passed on to him wisely.
And the Spaniard's track record suggests he is more than adept in finding hidden gems like Valencia and Palacios.
As for Valencia, I hope he proves to be a success at Old Trafford, if only for the way he has handled his exit - with plenty of dignity and class.
A few other players could take note.
I WATCHED and enjoyed Andy Murray's win on Monday night, but those Wimbledon spectators worry me.
There seemed to be a louder cheer when the roof closed than for any of the action that followed!
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
