Tuesday 16 January 2018 16:15, UK
Shaun Wane has warned Wigan's Super League rivals that his team are fired up to right the wrongs of last season.
The 2016 champions missed out on the play-offs after damaging defeats to Castleford and Wakefield left Wane's side in sixth place, their worst finish in eight years.
Wane admitted the Warriors are desperate to restore lost pride in 2018.
"I'm hungry, angry and just agitated about how we faded at the end of last year," he said. "The way we went out is not Wigan standard. I can remember all of the games at the back end of the year and how I felt after them.
"Hopefully we've put things in place so that never happens again. There's definitely a hunger there with the players and a bit of anger.
"Everybody's writing us off and we're motivated to put it right."
Wane, who has been in charge of Wigan since 2011, has been criticised by a section of the club's support for what they view as a negative style of rugby.
The 53-year-old insisted he does not feel under pressure following a disappointing Super League campaign.
"I'm not on social media and I don't read any press, but it's the way it is and part of the job," he added.
"I've heard a few things being said about the team and we have discussed it and want to put things right.
"But talk is cheap. We have trained really well so let's see what happens when we start playing."
While the Warriors have made only two off-season signings in Dan Sarginson and Gabriel Hamlin, there will be positional changes after the departure of long-serving hooker Michael McIlorum.
Tommy Leuluai is set to get the nod at nine against Salford on the opening weekend, while Sam Powell is in pole position to start the season alongside George Williams in the halves.
