WIGAN chairman Jack Robinson has blasted back at the club's critics - and insisted it has been a good year at Central Park.

The reigning champions have had their fair share of doubters this season, having lost their Challenge Cup crown to arch-rivals St Helens, who are also favourites to land the inaugural Super League title.

They have also lost two of their biggest stars in Martin Offiah and Scott Quinnell, while the future of club captain Shaun Edwards has been the subject of intense speculation.

But Robinson said: "It has actually been a very good year for us.

"We have lost a lot of players, but a lot of good young players have come in and there is a great future for all of them.

"The last thing they want to see in the press is what sort of rubbish team we've got. We are second in the league and we've still got the best defence in the league.

"I just wish people would get behind them instead of knocking them. After the year we've had where we've had to virtually rebuild, I think it has been a good year." On the departure of Offiah to London, Robinson commented: "He has done a great job for us and is one of the best wingers I've had the pleasure to watch, but he's the sort of fellow who needs a new challenge.

"We've got some good lads coming into the side in players like Rob Smyth. He is a fantastic talent and is only going to get better the more games he plays.

"If you sign the good juniors like these fellows, you've got to be courageous enough to play them. As long as I'm a director, we'll be doing that."

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