LIAM Farrell believes Wigan’s culture club has given him an even greater voice as they stand one match from the Grand Final.
And if anything, Hull KR can expect a different side to the one they dumped out in the Challenge Cup semi-final – one that now knows how it should play.
Liam Farrell believes Wigan’s culture and work ethic since semi-final agony can help them to the Grand FinalSWPIX.COM
The back rower has often been one of his club’s best on the pitch. Now he is captain, he has had to find more words to go alongside his actions.
Now as the Warriors aim for Old Trafford, Farrell believes what boss Matt Peet has brought in has made the team even tighter as a group, with work after their last four agony hopefully meaning there is no second dose.
He said: “As a group, we’re probably more together than in previous years. That’s because of what Matt’s put in place.
“The expectations on the players are the same, they have ever since I became part of the club – win.
“So from that point of view, nothing much has changed but after Matt put everything in place, the cohesion between the group has, definitely.
“And I’d say captaincy has changed me. I’ve learned a lot about myself over the year in terms of expressing the things I think a bit more with the team and the players around me.
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“I’ve no qualms in getting my opinions across as I feel so strongly about the club but I’ve had to find the words to go with my actions a bit more. Now people are looking around wondering what I have to say.
“Matt’s built on what he put in place last year, a lot of foundations in terms of culture and everyone getting along at the club.
“This year he’s grown that even more but at the same time, there are things on the pitch we really tried to improve. Without going into too much detail, we’ve done a really good job of that.”
Today’s last four meeting could send Farrell, 33, to an eighth Grand Final as Wigan look to end St Helens’ four-year grip on the title.
Farrell experienced semi-final agony against Hull KR in the Challenge CupSWPIX.COM
And while much talk has been about looking forward, you cannot help but look back to July’s Challenge Cup semi-final with the same opponents.
Brad Schneider’s golden point extra time drop goal sent Rovers to Wembley with a 11-10 victory, leading to despondency in the dressing room.
Since then, though, Peet’s side as roared back with eight straight league wins as they clinched the League Leaders’ Shield, a week off and a home semi-final.
And Farrell, whose performances saw him make the Dream team for the sixth time, warned of a different Wigan, adding: “You could go back to the Challenge Cup semi-final. It was a disappointing result but since then we’ve found the way we want to play.
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“We didn’t play badly then. It’s just Hull KR were really good and deserved the win on the day.
“But we’ve just been building ever since then. We’ve found how we want to play and it’s working well for us at the moment and there’s been a real buy-in from the lads.
“I’ve been in a few Dream Teams now but I feel the same way about them all – the thrill of being named doesn’t dull.
“And this year, I’ve probably enjoyed it more than ever – there’s no particular reason!”
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