Wigan Warriors v Harlquins

[cpwigan]

Watched the game on DVD today. Ainscough was even worse than I first thought







I will get my coat before Dave O reaches for his shotgun

[j658]

One thing I would point out is that Gleeson would not have made the slightest bit of difference in aiding the winger. The centre would have had to be miles out of position in order to get himself between Sharp and Ainscough.

I meant that, in that situation Gleeson would have tried to put himself between the Quins winger and centre or at least right on top of the Quins centre. Baileys positioning for that try is very poor and he doesn't help Ainscough at all, although Shaun didn't really help himself either.

[GeoffN]

Just watched the highlights on the SL site and I have to say on replay for the first try Ainscough did have a difficult job but he really should have made a better challenge for the ball. He watched it come across for a couple of seconds and should have been able to time his jump to at least make a decent attempt at getting the ball.
One thing I would point out is that Gleeson would not have made the slightest bit of difference in aiding the winger. The centre would have had to be miles out of position in order to get himself between Sharp and Ainscough.

He shouldn't help Ainscough v Sharp, he should have been in position to tackle Howell as he got the ball from the palm back. Gleeson would have got there, IMO.

I think CPW's criticims of Ainscough in that game are harsh but I don't honestly think the views are anything to do with the game itself. Ainscough has a lot to work on but he hasn't done anything that means he shouldn't be given another game assuming Gleeson or Goulding haven't returned.

Agreed.

[Dobby]

I think CPW's criticims of Ainscough in that game are harsh but I don't honestly think the views are anything to do with the game itself. Ainscough has a lot to work on but he hasn't done anything that means he shouldn't be given another game assuming Gleeson or Goulding haven't returned.

I dont think they are harsh at all. CP has commented for weeks on Ainscough in response to DaveO's rose tinted view that Ainscough can do no wrong and in particular hasnt got a problem with high kicks or his defence. This is despite what people have seen for years in the reserves, at Catleford or in Wigan first team. Ainscough showed these faults again against Harlequins and I think it is just a continuation of that debate. If Ainscough hadnt made the mistakes then it wouldnt have been commented on.

[cpwigan]

Cherry I don't think Ainsy has a bad or good game v Quins. He was non descript offering nothing in defence nor attack. In terms of fault. I would criticise him for the first try AND also the try where Quins broke from their own half before kicking into space to score. N.B several players were equally at fault E.G Walker was all over the place dropping off tackles etc in the build up. As Quins broke, we had several players, actually more than Quins. Ainsy came rushing in with no regard for the space behind him. If he had been aware he might have been praised for stopping the possible try.

Interestingly. I was not aware until todaty that Huddersfield gave Ainsy a torrid time playing for Quins and they intend to make that seem like a walk in the park. When RL team sense weakness they are very quick to attack it. I hope Ainsy has a great game if he plays.

[Dobby]

What mistakes in particular do you think he made during the game Dobby?

I actually agree with much of your try analysis. After seeing the tries again today I think that he could do much better for 3 of them and in my opinion they show major faults in Ainscough's defence, faults which he has shown time and time again.

How anyone can say that Ainscough isnt at fault for the kick is beyond me. If he made any attempt at all to deal with it then it would be fair enough as he would have simply been outplayed. However he did the worst thing of all which is nothing. After conceeding at least 2 tries at Castleford in recent weeks in much the same fashion I would have thought that he would have learned his lesson but instead he keeps making the same mistakes. No coach in the world will be happy with what Ainscough did. I think our views of this are much the same and I agree that Gleeson wouldnt have made a blind bit of difference.

Ainscough commited himself when Harlequins broke from their own half and kicked the ball when there was absolutely no need for him to do so. The Harlequins player that kicked the ball was well covered, O'Loughlin had tracked back and was about to tackle him and Phelps also had closed him down. The Harlequins players had no option but to take the tackle or to kick it, there was nothing else on. If Ainscough stays in position then it is no try and it is poor decision making on his part.

On the try where Bailey is skinned from the scrum it is obvious that Bailey is out of position and Bailey is far to slow to react. If Bailey tackles his man the play is stopped. I would like to make this clear. However I dont think that Ainscough exactly covers himself in glory either. The first thing I noticed seeing it again on TV is how wide Ainscough is positioned and how far away he is from Bailey which leaves a huge hole for Dorn. Ainscough should have been much closer to Bailey and should have been pushing on his winger from the inside. This developed into a 2v1 situation in which Ainscough does what I have seen him do time and time again in this situation which is nothing at all. Ainscough backs off and backs off and may as well have rolled a red carpet to the try line. It may have been Baileys man but it was obvious to everyone that he had lost Dorn. Ainscough should have at least done something. He should have come in and at least put some kind of pressure on Dorn so that Dorn had to make a decision, which would put some doubt in his mind. By doing this there are various things that may have happened. Ainscough may have made a great ball and all tackle stopping the play dead, he may have forced a knock on, he may have intercepted, he may got in the way of the pass, he may have made Dorn do a forward pass, he may have made him pass into touch, he may have made him put in a poor kick etc. This often happens when a player is put under pressure and wingers can and do save these situations on a regular basis. Yes it may not have been Ainscough's man but Maguire will certainly not be happy with how Ainscough responded to the situation when it is analysed. I doubt if he would be happy with his positioning either.

[gpartin]

Not even seen the tries from quins game yet but if ainy is going to be defending hodgsons wing we are in serious trouble. Huddersfield are on fire down that side at the moment.

[Doveoverdave]

Your choice. It is a free world. I would be interested who are these sensible Ghosts you mention. I don't see any. I think your post is a tad hypocritical re posturing.[/quote]


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