Noble's warning to Warriors
Determined Warriors coach Brian Noble trained his sights on champions Leeds tonight and warned his players: "This is where the hard work begins."
Wigan have closed the gap on Super League's leading pack, but the next two weeks will show just how far they have come.
After tonight's clash, Warriors visit St Helens in the league before a
mouth-watering Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington.
Noble said: "This is the key part of the season, and we can't afford any slips now.
"We've got a big task and it will test the squad to its limit.
"But the boys are enjoying winning, and they're excited by the momentum that is growing because there is something on the line every week.
"I still believe we can achieve something special because the character of the team is strong and the players are having a real go.
"We've coped with some adversity recently and people not available for whatever reason, but we've got on with our jobs.
"But I'm excited about how we are playing and tonight's a chance to go up against the champions and show what we can do in front of 20,000 fans.
"This team are good, they are putting a big shift in, but we know what lies ahead and that's the biggest challenge so far."
Wigan's 20-14 win at Bradford last weekend was their fourth on the bounce, equalling their best run of the campaign.
Noble added: "We've come from behind in a couple of games and that can only auger well for what is to come.
"The second half of our campaign has been pretty good, apart from an
abhorrent display against Celtic Crusaders.
"But I'm confident that the boys will respond again tonight.
"We are probably going to have to play in a certain way, a little bit differently than of late, but that will be a good test.
"I'm confident we've enough strike power and scoring points has not been a problem for us.
"But I also recognise Leeds are the top defensive team in the competition, so we will have to be patient."
They are a champion team for a simple reason – they know how to win in difficult circumstances.
"They have set the bar high and that's where we've got to get to.
"They've made a steady progression to the top level over the past five years and they don't like getting knocked off.
"Their structure is very good, and they are very patient with players, which you have to be in Super League these days.
"If you want to beat them and better them you have to learn from what they have achieved.
"There is no way you can take an element of concentration out of your game when you come up against Leeds."
Aussie centre Phil Bailey misses out through injury tonight.
WARRIORS (from): Roberts, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Paleaaesina, Tomkins, Coley, Hansen, Prescott, Pryce, Phelps, Gleeson, Mossop, Tomkins, Flanagan, Farrell.
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Weather for Wigan
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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