..EXCEPT FOR TONIGHT

TONY SMITH is hoping his new-found love for Wigan does not rebound on him tonight.

The Warrington boss is desperate for a win after opening the season with three defeats to leave themselves bottom.

But Smith admits he’d find it easier to plot a win if the Warriors hadn’t ditched their “boring” tag.

Wigan have notoriously played a structured game in the past but turned on the flair to beat Warrington in last year’s Grand Final.

And Smith says he’s pleased ® to see Wigan are again playing with more freedom this season – but wishes they wouldn’t tonight.

He said: “They have transformed and that gave them a chance in the Grand Final. If they had played the Wigan style entirely, it would have made them easier to play against.

Thrilling

“They have changed a whole lot and I like watching them more. I enjoy them now more than I probably did in the past.

“They have still got some Wigan plays but they are not as structured and are far more unpredictable. I enjoy that.”

Warrington’s thrilling 27-16 win over Brisbane in the World Club Series has prevented any crisis talk despite the hat-trick of Super League defeats.

It’s their worst start to a season since 2009 when Jimmy Lowes got the push. He was replaced by Smith after losing the opening three games.

But forward Matty Blythe insists the vibe is completely different to that season, when they lost their first five.

He said: “It’s nothing like that year but because we’ve lost three games, people on the outside are asking what’s going on. But there are no dramas.”

Blythe spent six years with Warrington before joining Bradford in 2013. He was set to move to Australia after the Bulls folded last year, until a call from Smith persuaded him to return to his old club.