Wigan Warriors: Matty Peet looks ahead to the derby against St Helens as his side aim to bounce back from their Magic Weekend defeat

Wigan Warriors: Matty Peet looks ahead to the derby against St Helens as his side aim to bounce back from their Magic Weekend defeat

Matty Peet says Wigan Warriors are prepared for what St Helens will throw at them in the derby on Friday night (K.O. 8pm).

His side head into the game at the Totally Wicked Stadium on the back of their Magic Weekend defeat to Catalans Dragons in Newcastle.

Peet states form usually counts for nothing in derby fixtures between Wigan and Saints, but knows his side have a number of things to fix from their display at St James’ Park.

“There’s a lot of healthy respect and rivalry,” he said.

BREAKING
PJ Harvery announces UK tour dates for autumn 2023
Met Office issues yellow heat warning as temperatures set to soar
Telegraph Media Group set to be put up for sale to ‘recover debts’
Heathrow Airport security officers to strike for 31 days this summer
Downing Street on ‘lockdown’ after suspicious package reported
Coronation Street star is suffering with dementia
Rugby League
Wigan Warriors: Matty Peet looks ahead to the derby against St Helens as his side aim to bounce back from their Magic Weekend defeat
Matty Peet says Wigan Warriors are prepared for what St Helens will throw at them in the derby on Friday night (K.O. 8pm).
By Amos Wynn
Published 8th Jun 2023, 04:55 BST- 2 min read
His side head into the game at the Totally Wicked Stadium on the back of their Magic Weekend defeat to Catalans Dragons in Newcastle.

Peet states form usually counts for nothing in derby fixtures between Wigan and Saints, but knows his side have a number of things to fix from their display at St James’ Park.

“There’s a lot of healthy respect and rivalry,” he said.

Matty Peet
Matty Peet
Advertisement

Hide Ad
“There’s been so many great games contested between the two clubs, and Friday won’t be any different.

“It’s not something you need to talk about in great detail. It’s a week where you hope you don’t have to motivate the players.

“Other teams would like to think they’re our rivals but Wigan V Saints is a special game.

“There are always subplots when you come into these matches, but as we’ve seen so many times, form counts for very little.

“It’s an exciting fixture regardless of what happens the week before.

“Obviously we can’t wait to get the last game out of our system and hopefully we’re much improved from that.

“I look back at last week’s performance to where we are at, and we can’t be happy or satisfied with that.

“All that matters is how they played in the last game, and what we’re aiming to do this week.

EAKING
PJ Harvery announces UK tour dates for autumn 2023
Met Office issues yellow heat warning as temperatures set to soar
Telegraph Media Group set to be put up for sale to ‘recover debts’
Heathrow Airport security officers to strike for 31 days this summer
Downing Street on ‘lockdown’ after suspicious package reported
Coronation Street star is suffering with dementia
Rugby League
Wigan Warriors: Matty Peet looks ahead to the derby against St Helens as his side aim to bounce back from their Magic Weekend defeat
Matty Peet says Wigan Warriors are prepared for what St Helens will throw at them in the derby on Friday night (K.O. 8pm).
By Amos Wynn
Published 8th Jun 2023, 04:55 BST- 2 min read
His side head into the game at the Totally Wicked Stadium on the back of their Magic Weekend defeat to Catalans Dragons in Newcastle.

Peet states form usually counts for nothing in derby fixtures between Wigan and Saints, but knows his side have a number of things to fix from their display at St James’ Park.

“There’s a lot of healthy respect and rivalry,” he said.

Matty Peet
Matty Peet
Advertisement

Hide Ad
“There’s been so many great games contested between the two clubs, and Friday won’t be any different.

“It’s not something you need to talk about in great detail. It’s a week where you hope you don’t have to motivate the players.

“Other teams would like to think they’re our rivals but Wigan V Saints is a special game.

“There are always subplots when you come into these matches, but as we’ve seen so many times, form counts for very little.

Advertisement

Hide Ad
“It’s an exciting fixture regardless of what happens the week before.

“Obviously we can’t wait to get the last game out of our system and hopefully we’re much improved from that.

“I look back at last week’s performance to where we are at, and we can’t be happy or satisfied with that.

“All that matters is how they played in the last game, and what we’re aiming to do this week.

Advertisement

Hide Ad
“We’ve got simple things to fix, but they’re not easy. They sound small but they’re very big.

Read More
Liam Farrell says Wigan Warriors are not dwelling on their Magic Weekend loss as…
“I thought Saints were impressive (at the Magic Weekend) and put in one of their best performances of the year, so there’s a lot of work for us to do, but we’re looking forward to it.

“Jonny Lomax and Jack Welsby are two of their main threats, and their forward pack is dynamic with Alex Walmsley leading that.

“They’re a team that is very strong across the park. I admire all of the players for the way they play.

BREAKING
PJ Harvery announces UK tour dates for autumn 2023
Met Office issues yellow heat warning as temperatures set to soar
Telegraph Media Group set to be put up for sale to ‘recover debts’
Heathrow Airport security officers to strike for 31 days this summer
Downing Street on ‘lockdown’ after suspicious package reported
Coronation Street star is suffering with dementia
Rugby League
Wigan Warriors: Matty Peet looks ahead to the derby against St Helens as his side aim to bounce back from their Magic Weekend defeat
Matty Peet says Wigan Warriors are prepared for what St Helens will throw at them in the derby on Friday night (K.O. 8pm).
By Amos Wynn
Published 8th Jun 2023, 04:55 BST- 2 min read
His side head into the game at the Totally Wicked Stadium on the back of their Magic Weekend defeat to Catalans Dragons in Newcastle.

Peet states form usually counts for nothing in derby fixtures between Wigan and Saints, but knows his side have a number of things to fix from their display at St James’ Park.

“There’s a lot of healthy respect and rivalry,” he said.

Matty Peet
Matty Peet
Advertisement

Hide Ad
“There’s been so many great games contested between the two clubs, and Friday won’t be any different.

“It’s not something you need to talk about in great detail. It’s a week where you hope you don’t have to motivate the players.

“Other teams would like to think they’re our rivals but Wigan V Saints is a special game.

“There are always subplots when you come into these matches, but as we’ve seen so many times, form counts for very little.

Advertisement

Hide Ad
“It’s an exciting fixture regardless of what happens the week before.

“Obviously we can’t wait to get the last game out of our system and hopefully we’re much improved from that.

“I look back at last week’s performance to where we are at, and we can’t be happy or satisfied with that.

“All that matters is how they played in the last game, and what we’re aiming to do this week.

Advertisement

Hide Ad
“We’ve got simple things to fix, but they’re not easy. They sound small but they’re very big.

Read More
Liam Farrell says Wigan Warriors are not dwelling on their Magic Weekend loss as…
“I thought Saints were impressive (at the Magic Weekend) and put in one of their best performances of the year, so there’s a lot of work for us to do, but we’re looking forward to it.

“Jonny Lomax and Jack Welsby are two of their main threats, and their forward pack is dynamic with Alex Walmsley leading that.

“They’re a team that is very strong across the park. I admire all of the players for the way they play.

Advertisement

Hide Ad
“Mark Percival is a player that really makes them tick- I like the way he plays the game, and Tommy Makinson has some class about him as well.

“They’ve got a very strong line-up and are well-coached, so there’s no surprises because we know what’s coming and we’re prepared for it.

“It’s a big challenge, but that’s what we want and is what the competition demands.

“It’s brilliant that the table is so tight at the minute. It’s all very unpredictable, and Friday night will be no different.”

Ad
Peet welcomed Jai Field back into his side for the game against Catalans, and is looking forward to seeing the 25-year-old resume his partnership with Bevan French.

“It’s about them two finding their flow like they have in the past- along with Harry (Smith) and the rest of our outside backs,” he added.

“We won’t be throwing too much information at Jai straightaway, we just want to get him back with the ball in his hands and enjoying his rugby.

“We can work on the combinations going forward.

“He’s an outstanding player and has had a massive effect on us over the last 18 months.

READ NEXT…

Spurs: Tottenham “pushing hardest” for Ward-Prowse

The Lilywhites hold a serious interest in his signing.

Tottenham Hotspur are among the sides pushing hardest to sign Southampton star James Ward-Prowse this summer, according to reports.

Who will Spurs sign this summer?

Spurs can now turn their attentions towards strengthening in the summer transfer market after finally confirming their next manager after Antonio Conte.

Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has now joined the north Londoners, ending Tottenham’s long and drawn out search, with the Australian set to commence work on July 1.

Chairman Daniel Levy spoke of his excitement regarding Postecoglou’s appointment at Spurs, claiming his arrival marks the return of attacking football, whilst also highlighting his ability to nurture young players (via tottenhamhotspur.com).

The Lilywhites are identifying targets for the 57-year-old, who seems set to have a real say on who Spurs sign this summer. It is believed that he is already personally keen on signing Man United’s Harry Maguire with Brentford keeper David Raya also attracting serious interest.

Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie and Leicester City star James Maddison have been linked most recently as well, with a report by Football Insider now sharing news on another potential target.

According to their information, Southampton’s Ward-Prowse is firmly on Tottenham’s radar, with the north Londoners and West Ham “pushing the hardest” to sign him.

It is believed both Spurs and David Moyes’ side lead the race for Ward-Prowse as things stand, despite multiple clubs expressing an interest in the 28-year-old.

Ward-Prowse has just been relegated with Southampton but Spurs could offer him an opportunity to bounce straight back up to the Premier League.

Who is James Ward-Prowse?

The midfielder was, by some distance, Southampton’s star player over the course of 2022/2023 – standing out as their best-performing player by average match rating (WhoScored).

He finished the campaign with 13 goal contributions (nine goals, four assists) and made more key passes per 90 than any other Saints player – backing his real creativity in the final third (WhoScored).

Called an “unbelievable player” by teammate Oriol Romeu, Man City boss Pep Guardiola has also lavished praise on Ward-Prowse before.