Cas v WIGAN

Discuss all things Wigan Warriors. Comments and opinions on all aspects of the club's performance are welcome.
moto748
Posts: 4583
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2014 5:30 pm

Re: Cas v WIGAN

Post by moto748 »

pearsy wrote: Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:05 am Is there any wonder the crowds are down with displays like that Wigan just haven't got the players and coach to give us the entertaning rugby we expect from our team
Hull KR played some great stuff yesterday in the Hull derby. And they are apparently favourites for relegation, So have they got 'the right players' ? We clearly have a better squad than them on paper.

The obvious answer points to the coach. We look slow, out-enthused, and devoid of go-forward.
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EagleEyePie
Posts: 434
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2019 9:42 pm

Re: Cas v WIGAN

Post by EagleEyePie »

We can't keep relying on the young props to carry us through games. Top Super League sides should have at least a couple of props who are established, top quality players. Last season and at the start of this we've been relying on youngsters who aren't really at that level yet. They are without a doubt among the best forwards around but it was obvious last season that we needed some more established players in there to support them.

One of the good parts of last season was Bullock's early season form, and he's started this year looking like he's in the same sort of place, but he's not getting selected. We've brought in Clark who was a bit of an unknown quantity but what he's shown in the reserves is that he might not be a blockbusting runner but he's got a good work rate and really attracts attention from the opposition, which is a great thing for a prop as it creates space around him. They don't make the team though, so of course we're going to look pretty much the same as last year.

Things are being made worse by selecting certain senior players. Burgess was picked against Wire when he was clearly laughably unfit. A complete waste of a place. We also had Clubb, who has consistently put in the bare minimum game after game. We're lucky to get more than 3 or 4 carries from him and little more than 20-30 metres. It's pathetic for an established forward. He also frequently goes off injured. What's the point in constantly playing him if that's all that he gives? Surely Clark and Bullock are better than that.

Our pack isn't the only issue. It seems there's a worrying trend of players being clueless on the last tackle that has been there for years and seems to show little sign of going away. I still think we suffer from having two lightweight back row forwards too. Faz is good enough to make up for it, but I still think Isa is very limited, with carries that don't trouble the defence and little in the way of an effective offload. The problem is he puts 100% effort in consistently week after week and it's hard to dispense with that without someone actually taking an opportunity and staking a claim. Greenwood is the one who springs to mind but in pre-season and reserve grade he's been poor.
Levrier
Posts: 241
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2017 2:23 pm

Re: Cas v WIGAN

Post by Levrier »

It is not surprising that we have no plan B because we also have no plan A. I think that some players have stood out well in pre-season but cannot make the team. A good coaching staff will identify issues in real time and deal with them as doing the same and hoping that something will change rarely works. At the moment standing back and hoping to soak up pressure seems to be our preferred option but it just keeps the score down.
Wintergreen
Posts: 1611
Joined: Wed May 20, 2015 2:13 pm

Re: Cas v WIGAN

Post by Wintergreen »

Levrier wrote: Sat Feb 08, 2020 1:20 pm It is not surprising that we have no plan B because we also have no plan A. I think that some players have stood out well in pre-season but cannot make the team. A good coaching staff will identify issues in real time and deal with them as doing the same and hoping that something will change rarely works. At the moment standing back and hoping to soak up pressure seems to be our preferred option but it just keeps the score down.
I think the most worrying aspect about the first 2 matches was that even when Wire were down to 11, we didn't really look like opening them up. Only the exceptional pass from French did it and we cannot rely on that.
Barney841
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Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2016 9:24 am

Re: Cas v WIGAN

Post by Barney841 »

moto748 wrote: Sat Feb 08, 2020 12:24 pm
pearsy wrote: Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:05 am Is there any wonder the crowds are down with displays like that Wigan just haven't got the players and coach to give us the entertaning rugby we expect from our team
Hull KR played some great stuff yesterday in the Hull derby. And they are apparently favourites for relegation, So have they got 'the right players' ? We clearly have a better squad than them on paper.

The obvious answer points to the coach. We look slow, out-enthused, and devoid of go-forward.
This is what I think as well. We’ve got a noble situation at the moment, doesn’t play to the players strength, not a very good game plan. We need a maguire type of coach to come in and unlock this teams potential.
We’ve got a good squad and Lam should be getting more out of them
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