Dave Craven: There is no panic at Headingley just yet and rightly so

They had not won a league title since 1972 and their trip to Old Trafford for the inaugural Super League Grand Final was the closest they had gone in more than two decades.

Robinson delivered Wigan the trophy, however, and after a two- year absence – a drought by their standards – they were champions again, seemingly ready to dominate the summer era just as they had the winter game for the previous decade.

Few, if any, Wigan fans would have thought they would be still waiting today for their next title.

There have been near-misses with three Grand Final defeats since but the last of those was back in 2003.

Arch-rivals St Helens, Bradford Bulls and, more recently, Leeds took charge but there is a growing belief this could be the year Wigan re-establish themselves at the top.

Tonight they could go four points clear by inflicting a fifth defeat on the Rhinos and the impact new coach Michael Maguire has had on a predominantly unchanged squad is distinct.

But what of Leeds? They have endured a miserable start but are the three-times reigning champions really on the slide?

It is premature to write them off. There is no panic at Headingley and rightly so.

If they lose this evening, Leeds could fall outside of the play-off spots but it is still not a crisis.

They know full well that Super League titles are not won before Easter and, even though it is unlikely they would be able to clamber back up into the top two, their belief will not waiver.

Bradford lost five of their opening nine fixtures in 2005 and finished third, but went on to win the Grand Final, ironically at the expense of Leeds.

Like the Rhinos now, the Bulls were plagued by injuries with Kiwi duo Shontayne Hape and Lesley Vainikolo sidelined for much of the first half of that year along with GB international Paul Johnson. Hooker Ryan Hudson was sacked before the campaign even got underway.

However, a couple of mid-season signings and the later return of their crocked stars gave Bradford an impetus which saw them charge to glory. Jamie Peacock was part of that side. He, along with plenty others, will return at some point soon for Leeds.

Wigan may have their moment tonight and could well reach

Old Trafford again come October but do not dismiss the champions just yet.