Yep, a very difficult game now. I was at Leigh for the pre season friendly when we were made up of fringe players and young lads. We were battered and didn't get much of a look in. Since then, though, most of the youngsters have come on leaps and bounds and I'm much more optimistic when any of them play. The sheer numbers of missing first team regulars tomorrow will make it a tough one to win.

Lived in Zurich for six months in 2009/10.

Grasshoppers did what they had to do tonight and won 2-1 in St Gallen. Unfortunately Basel won at Young Boys 1-0 meaning Basel stay top by three points with one game to do and with a much superior goal difference. However, a great season for GC, guaranteed the runners up spot and Champions League football next season; and of course they recently won the Swiss Cup. At least one team who play in the famous blue and white halves are prospering!

Thanks Ozz. As a fairly recent convert to Rugby League (yr 2000), virtually all my time watching the lads has been at the JJB/DW. However I was fortunate to visit Central Park, just the once in 1994 against Featherstone. I stood on the corner by the floodlight, not too far from where your top photograph was taken.

Grasshoppers beat Basel again yesterday in front of 17k to close the gap at the top to three points with two games left. It's Basel's to lose but the pressure's on and you never know. Hopp Hoppers, hopp!

Tough game at the Etihad last night but Wigan came through, just about. Either side could have won. Made our way to the south east corner after someone on rl fans said they had a Wigan reserved ticket in the South Stand (we were unreserved) only to see a mass of cherry & white at the opposite end of the ground. Still there were loads of Warriors fans around us, good for the banter, the beer was going down well, talking to Leeds, FC, Warrington and Oldham fans. No hint of trouble, the police must have been scratching their heads, drinking from your seat as is the norm at RL. By the way, four pints of Fosters came in at £16.80 - value for money not. Still, City must need the money....

Grasshoppers, this afternoon, won the Swiss Cup, drawing 1-1 with FC Basel but winning the tie on penalties. First trophy for a number of years following a period of financial problems and having to play their home games in the stadium of their city rivals FC Zurich. Their ground, Hardturm, was bulldozed a few years ago. I sense the club is on the way up, finally, and let's hope this galvanises GCZ further. I'm really, really made up for them.

Cracking first half performance today from the lads. More even stevens second half with a try and a conversion each. Great game by Farrell and a very decent following from Wigan. First visit to Odsal - enough said.

Yes, would have been nice to meet up and chat about the lads, particularly around the late 50s and early 60s, a time I really wish I could have seen Rovers wise. RIP Kelbo.

Well, that may have been true in the 'eight in a row' era and a few years either side. I don't know, I didn't go then. One thing for sure, Wiganers certainly know their rugby and the club sets its standards very high. The supporters are also knowledgable enough to know that nowadays there are several teams capable of winning Super League and our record since its inception proves that. You all right TS, or are Rovers getting you down?

Not at all. I support Wigan because the connection was made when I was taken there in 1994. Had I been taken to St Helens, I may well have ended up a Saints fan, same with Warrington or Salford. That said, I am happy that the DW is the nearest stadium to where I live and Wigan are therefore my local team. Great win today but not so great for Super League.

We got stuck in the M6 traffic and I didn't get on Ewood until ten past three. Not a classic at the DW but Wigan were good value for the win and should have almost put the game to bed by half time. Yes, Pat had a great game and that Charnley try........? A bloke in the JW Upper saw my Wigan shirt and told me his wife and daughter had gone to the game. I think there's more RL fans around than we think!

For any of our Cheshire supporters, just been to the Plough at Whitegate at the weekend. Inbetween Northwich and Chester. Great portions at reasonable prices in a nice, country pub, similar to the decent ones in the Ribble Valley. Recommended.

Well Norbert, twelve tries tonight as Wigan demolished a poor Widnes side 62-4 at the arctic like DW. Professional performance from the lads, some great moves, handling and, at times, defence. For someone who likes both codes (yeah right) Norbert, you don't half knock League. By the way, if you fancy taking in a game Norbert, we've now got a soup kitchen in the corner of the car park to feed those just in from the pits/factories after finishing their shift and there's also an area set aside for parking your whippet. Don't say 'owt to 'em in your southern accent though cos they won't understand you (the whippets that is, not the factory workers.

Quite agree. Union is so mind numbingly boring I just don't get why folk turn up to watch it. Us League fans call it 'Kick and Clap' (amongst other things) and never has a description been more apt. My daughter's partner plays 'Yawnion' to a decent standard, so I do try and watch a few of the internationals and also try to be objective about the game for when we have a pint and chat about it. May be when I understand a bit more about both the code and its rules I will like it a bit more. Shushhhhhh, don't tell anyone I said/typed that! Wigan got there in the end this afternoon, winning comfortably 48-18 after being behind in the early stages. Some terrible handling by Wigan though. Bad news also for Lee Mossop who'll be out for 12 weeks after another shoulder dislocation. Injuries mounting up already.

Was at that Swindon cup game. After the match we started the long drive home and then got one of those 'fancy a beer?' moments. We headed for Cheltenham as, unknown to us, did another thousand Rovers fans! The place was rammed with northeners. They'd never seen owt like it. All these la de da types having to put up with us lot. At the time I worked in Accy and one of the lasses there was going out with a lad from Cheltenham. Apparently, on the Monday their local rag was full of the events of Saturday night. Great times following the lads.

Great game last night in front of the season's first 20k plus crowd. Little to choose between the sides and I thought our 'young and inexperienced' pack were immense, matching Warrington's every inch of the way. Looking forward to seeing our new halves partnership develop as well. Roll on next weekend!

Went to Checco's last night in Great Harwood. Been there before but it was about ten years ago. Very nice food. I usually have a pizza for my main course when eating Italian. The best ever pizzas imo are at the Godfather in Darwen but I have to say those at Checco's push them close. Four of us went, the bill came in at £55 per couple which included three rounds of drinks. The only downside was that we had to wait nearly an hour for our table. The bar and seating area was absolutely packed. We assumed they overbook on purpose, hoping folk don't mind too much and at the same time boost the bar takings.

Went to The Wharf at Castlefield yesterday afternoon. A pub with a restaurant type setting upstairs and adhoc dining on the ground floor. Very good food, likewise the service and not too expensive. Plenty to choose from on the menu and a good choice of ales also. Had a couple of pints of Moorhouses, a strong dark mild, which went down well. Nice setting by the canal across from Albert's Shed which is supposed to be an excellent restaurant as well. Will try that one another time!

Four of us went last night. Lovely place on three floors, packed and very nice food. Four starters, four mains, a bottle of wine, four pints came in at £95 which is reasonable enough. Will definitely go again.

First Rugby League fix of the year watching Wigan's mainly 'Youth Meets Fringe Players' get a walloping of Leigh's full strength first string 30-6. Still enjoyed my afternoon out and what a nice little ground, LSV, better than the new Salford stadium in my opinion. Entering the car park I was briefly behind a car with Rovers and Wigan RL mini kits in thew rear window...Clare....Koi....?

Great post PB.....up until your last sentence!

48 days to go - can't come quickly enough!

Went to see Karnataka at Burnley Mechanics last night. Good gig and looking forward to their new album out next year.