16 Mar 2016
Widnes want 'statement' win over Wigan - Mellor
The 25-year-old Mellor has been in sensational form along with his half-back partner Kevin Brown as the Vikings have equalled their best ever start to a Super League campaign.
Denis Betts' men are being compared with Claudio Ranieri's Leicester City after dramatically transforming their fortunes in 2016.
In the bottom four at the end of 2015 and tipped for another battle against relegation, the Vikings have silenced their critics by winning five of their opening six matches and boast the best attack in Super League as well as the leading try-scorer in Corey Thompson.
But Mellor knows they face an acid test of their title aspirations against the Warriors, who are one of only two clubs with 100 per cent records so far this year and, fresh from a demolition of defending champions Leeds Rhinos, have the chance to take over top spot.
"I think a lot of people are surprised because of the way we performed last year and where we ended up in the league, but we had a really good pre-season and obviously took that into the season," said Mellor.
"Nobody is getting carried away because we know it could change, we're just looking to turn up each week and perform the best we can."
Warrington-born Mellor, one of 16 Wigan academy products in the two squads for Thursday's game at the DW Stadium, is playing the best rugby of his career since joining Widnes.
He made two Super League appearances for the Warriors in 2012 before being sidelined for nine months with a knee injury and went on to rebuild his career under Betts, another former Wigan player, at the Halton Stadium.
"I'm not bitter about anything," he said. "Wigan have got a really good youth set-up and I enjoyed my time there and learned a lot.
Tomorrow is a top of the table clash with @WiganWarriorsRL taking on @WidnesR
— First Utility SL (@FirstUtilitySL) March 16, 2016
Who will win & go outright top?
"Denis gave me my opportunity and (Stefan) Marsh went on dual (registration) to Widnes as well the year before me.
"It's a good pathway for us to get some game time but now I think we'll be able to attract some really good players to Widnes. We're up there and competing with the likes of Wigan these days.
"We do really want to go out and make a statement this week. I think last week was our biggest test of the season against Hull FC and this is going to be massive."
While the Vikings are averaging 35 points a game, Wigan have the meanest defence having leaked just 66 points in five games.
They are unbeaten against Super League opposition at the DW Stadium since June 2014 - not that coach Shaun Wane is taking his side's impressive home record for granted.
"Every club that comes to the DW poses a threat to it," he said. "I don't get carried away with the 'fortress' comments.
"We need to turn up mentally and be ready to defend our line like our life depends on it. We did that last week. Unfortunately we couldn't see the game out by 'nilling' Leeds (winning 28-6) but we'll have to have the same attitude against Widnes.
"They're playing really well. They're scoring some points and really attacking teams.
"They have an advantage with their home pitch but they're also playing well away. The attacking shapes they're showing with Joe Mellor, Kev Brown and Rhys Hanbury out the back are outstanding.
"They've done things to Leeds and Hull that we couldn't do. We beat them both but they weren't convincing wins and Widnes have absolutely pumped both teams (56-12 and 46-6 respectively)."
