21-man squad vs Hull KR

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nathan_rugby
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Re: 21-man squad vs Hull KR

Post by nathan_rugby »

Firestarter wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 10:30 am
nathan_rugby wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 10:21 am
Southern Softy wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 9:27 am Yep. Really missing that George Burgess.
More seriously, hope that Greenwood gets a try at loose-forward which might just be his eventual position. Good ball-handling skills, good football brain and decent defence.
As much as a ball playing 13 is such an advantage I think you can mitigate with a creative fullback I.e French. If we had Hardaker as fullback then the requirement would be much more. I think the safest option is having our 13 to be an additional 2nd row in the absence of lockers. None of our existing second rowers really have the ability to be considered a ball handler so no point forcing it.
Maybe powell at loose with tommy hooker and smith at 7?if im not wrong powell played at loose for a big part of the KR match there, i think
Powell can defo handle the defensive aspects of a 13. But what are we expecting from him in attack?
Bomhead - "Lockers to prop."
nathan_rugby
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Re: 21-man squad vs Hull KR

Post by nathan_rugby »

Southern Softy wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 11:39 am It looked to me that way and I think we've done it before when Smith, Powell and Tommy are all on the pitch. With French seemingly on a 'go where he thinks best' type of play, it looks odd but seems to work. It does mean that French can chime into the line (a la Sammy) all over the pitch and although it leaves holes in defence it does make for impressive attacking. It normally means that you have to have your best props and second rowers on to strengthen the defence. I wouldn't fancy it against Saints but against lesser teams, it could be effective.
How does French roaming around in attack leave holes in our defence? It has no impact.
Bomhead - "Lockers to prop."
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Firestarter
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Re: 21-man squad vs Hull KR

Post by Firestarter »

nathan_rugby wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2020 8:01 am
Firestarter wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 10:30 am
nathan_rugby wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 10:21 am

As much as a ball playing 13 is such an advantage I think you can mitigate with a creative fullback I.e French. If we had Hardaker as fullback then the requirement would be much more. I think the safest option is having our 13 to be an additional 2nd row in the absence of lockers. None of our existing second rowers really have the ability to be considered a ball handler so no point forcing it.
Maybe powell at loose with tommy hooker and smith at 7?if im not wrong powell played at loose for a big part of the KR match there, i think
Powell can defo handle the defensive aspects of a 13. But what are we expecting from him in attack?
hes probably the best ball handler who can slot into that position.......its an option........ not everyone has a tommy makinson on the wing who can slot in 😭😭
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Southern Softy
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Re: 21-man squad vs Hull KR

Post by Southern Softy »

nathan_rugby wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2020 8:03 am
Southern Softy wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 11:39 am It looked to me that way and I think we've done it before when Smith, Powell and Tommy are all on the pitch. With French seemingly on a 'go where he thinks best' type of play, it looks odd but seems to work. It does mean that French can chime into the line (a la Sammy) all over the pitch and although it leaves holes in defence it does make for impressive attacking. It normally means that you have to have your best props and second rowers on to strengthen the defence. I wouldn't fancy it against Saints but against lesser teams, it could be effective.
How does French roaming around in attack leave holes in our defence? It has no impact.
Well, it means your full-back isn't there to cover any opposition attack that comes when your six tackles end. It's different from a planned move after, say, 4 tackles when the full-back comes into the line as generally, in a well-coached side, someone drops back to cover. What we seem to have is a situation where French becomes a free agent and goes where he believes he can do most damage. I don't have a problem with that as he's one of the fastest around and it makes for positive rugby but it does come with a risk.
jackthelad
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Re: 21-man squad vs Hull KR

Post by jackthelad »

Mike wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 5:43 pm
Wiganer Ted wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 4:01 pm My concern is at centre. It looks like Gildart will return with Bibby going left wing or standing down. If French is again fb then Hardaker will be centre with Hankinson omitted yet again. Should French or Hardaker cop a knock then Hanks could well be drafted in after not playing for four weeks plus. Not good is that!

We need to play Hanks both for his position at centre and his goalkicking. It appears at times Lam is creating a favourites list with his team selection. 21 in the squad but only his favourites in the team.

BTW where's John Winder? Seen Lockers and Peet with Lam but not seen Winder, anyone know if it's just that I've missed him or other reasons?
Is he better than Hardaker? Is he better than Gildart? Which one will you drop for Hankinson?
Mike, i think you missed the point Ted is making, Hankinson yet again not being given the chance, so when the eventual injuries or knocks take their toll on any of French, Zak, Gilly etc. He only then might get a game, he will be nowhere near match fitness, not to mention his confidence will be rock bottom, I know he has been told he's playing then Lam has changed the team again!!

Regards the Loose Fwd / 2nd row issue mentioned elsewhere I think Hankinson could easily fit the role of a ball playing loose or 2nd row but he needs to get game time even if that's off the bench
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Firestarter
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Re: 21-man squad vs Hull KR

Post by Firestarter »

No news on marshy yet?
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nathan_rugby
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Re: 21-man squad vs Hull KR

Post by nathan_rugby »

Southern Softy wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2020 9:15 am
nathan_rugby wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2020 8:03 am
Southern Softy wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 11:39 am It looked to me that way and I think we've done it before when Smith, Powell and Tommy are all on the pitch. With French seemingly on a 'go where he thinks best' type of play, it looks odd but seems to work. It does mean that French can chime into the line (a la Sammy) all over the pitch and although it leaves holes in defence it does make for impressive attacking. It normally means that you have to have your best props and second rowers on to strengthen the defence. I wouldn't fancy it against Saints but against lesser teams, it could be effective.
How does French roaming around in attack leave holes in our defence? It has no impact.
Well, it means your full-back isn't there to cover any opposition attack that comes when your six tackles end. It's different from a planned move after, say, 4 tackles when the full-back comes into the line as generally, in a well-coached side, someone drops back to cover. What we seem to have is a situation where French becomes a free agent and goes where he believes he can do most damage. I don't have a problem with that as he's one of the fastest around and it makes for positive rugby but it does come with a risk.
That doesn’t make any sense.

Nobody drops back to cover a fullback coming into the attacking line on the 4th tackle!

I don’t see the risk at all.
Bomhead - "Lockers to prop."
pedro
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Re: 21-man squad vs Hull KR

Post by pedro »

Southern Softy wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2020 9:15 am
nathan_rugby wrote: Thu Sep 03, 2020 8:03 am
Southern Softy wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 11:39 am It looked to me that way and I think we've done it before when Smith, Powell and Tommy are all on the pitch. With French seemingly on a 'go where he thinks best' type of play, it looks odd but seems to work. It does mean that French can chime into the line (a la Sammy) all over the pitch and although it leaves holes in defence it does make for impressive attacking. It normally means that you have to have your best props and second rowers on to strengthen the defence. I wouldn't fancy it against Saints but against lesser teams, it could be effective.
How does French roaming around in attack leave holes in our defence? It has no impact.
Well, it means your full-back isn't there to cover any opposition attack that comes when your six tackles end. It's different from a planned move after, say, 4 tackles when the full-back comes into the line as generally, in a well-coached side, someone drops back to cover. What we seem to have is a situation where French becomes a free agent and goes where he believes he can do most damage. I don't have a problem with that as he's one of the fastest around and it makes for positive rugby but it does come with a risk.
No one plays with a full back when in attack, the fullback foams into the line where they want, when the kick comes in the rest of the attack moves up after the kick and the fullback stays still this leaving him back
Southern Softy
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Re: 21-man squad vs Hull KR

Post by Southern Softy »

I don't want to labour it but more and more Wigan aren't kicking on the 6th but trying a move (often unplanned by the look of it) or trying something complex around the 4th tackle. French is always up with the attack looking for a gap. If we cock it up, then there's a potential problem. If it's against Saints and Regan Grace (whose only real RL asset is pace) then it's a try.
It's a risk but generally worth it because of the calibre of players like French.
But I may be wrong (often am) so let's leave it and hope that we do well against Hull KR. Not happy about no Budgie on the wing though. Why not rest Bibby instead of playing either him or Olly on the wing? Good to see Smith getting a full game to show what he can do over 80 minutes.
Barney841
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Re: 21-man squad vs Hull KR

Post by Barney841 »

How long a ban did smithies get?
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