Wigan 24 Saints 26

[cpwigan]

Saints certainly came with a game plan. I do think they had to win the game more than we did. Not saying we did not want to but it was more a must win scenario for them. For that reason I anticipate Leeds turning Wire over next week and then our match v Wire being incredibly tough.

We do need to get back to our best line up and that for me means Amos at FB and Pat on the wing with hopefully the likes of Hansen returning soon.

[gpartin]

Just got back from match after a long day. I think we made the Locker's issue bigger than it needed to be in the first half and that's what cost us. There were a few times where we had an overlap to the left but knowing we were without him we were insisting on going to the right. Sam wasn't involved as much as a result and it seemed that Tommy was running the show. However I think we showed later in the game that even without Lockers we can still attack down the left. Tuson and Farrell both had their best games for us and outshone Bails big time. I genuinely think if Amos had been at fullback with Pat on the wing and not been shy down the left early on we would have won. Not seen it on tele but Leon Pryce was MOM for me.

[DaveO]

We certainly would not have conceded the Pryce try Dave and I would suggest he may have been somewhere near Roby. However, you must start to develop you understanding of RL Dave. Spacing and drift are two of Lockers strengths so just his presence in the defensive line makes other defenders in the line better.

So why do we keep conceding over 20 points a game more often than not? His presence in the defensive line does not back up your theory in previous games and that is my point. Despite the fact we have had good defenders such as Lockers in the side we have still conceded too many points. It is not a slight on him to say so. It actually points the finger elsewhere.

Likewise. We have very limited playmaking in our team because Tommy is a unique 'scrum half' in that running is his forte which is why some say he is a hooker. Organising and playmaking passing are not his strengths. lockers is a superior playmaker when passing and would have added points to our score with his passing ability.

Play-making (of Lockers or anyone else) is not the issue. Defence of the whole team is whether Lockers plays or not.

Dave

[cpwigan]

You say that despite Lockers being taken off in previous games when the game was won. There has been an element of job done switch off v lesser clubs in recent gmes particularly given the pathetic treatment / reaction by match officials BUT when the team has needed to defend they have shown how well they can. Leeds in the CC being the obvious example.

v Leeds in the CC and v Saints irrespective of defence we had more than enough chances to score enough points to win the game. Failing to convert pressure / opportunities into points is a common failing in British RL domestically and internationally.

Often the pressure brought upon our defence yesterday was self inflicted by mistakes when we had the ball. 1 v 1 defence cock ups do cost. However, we lose momentum / field position through mistakes with the ball. Look how Piggy who otherwise was excellent changed the game by giving possession away when he threw a forward pass. Until then our defence in the second jalf looked magnificent.

[thomo]

Still feel we are lacking something in the front row and yesterdays game showed that.
Our too start front rowers did a good job but Prescott to me offered very little - still in my opinion he is too small for a front rower.
Next year - if we can bring in two decent solid sizable props then we will have an awesome pack that will dominate teams.
It will also allow us to reduce the game time fielden and Coley are on the pitch and should improve them.
Why do we produce so many quality back rowers but cant produce a decent prop at a decent size

[gpartin]

I thought Prescott had a good game.

[BriH]

Watched the game on 'tele (in Germany!)
I think the absence of Lockers made a huge difference. He forms a link between Sam (who I thought had a quiet game) and Tommy L.
Stevo made a good point when he said Sam plays a different game for Wigan than he does for England. In that game (England) he was playing with another half-back. Sam and Tommy don't have an understanding between them and play as individuals - Lockers provides the link.
I don't think Leon Pryce would have had the same freedom if Lockers had been playing.
Tommy L is better at hooker.
We need an established half-back partnership.

[Matthew]

Whilst I was desperately unhappy with the result - I saw lots of positives in the way we never gave up.

After the first ten minutes - we were decidedly below par; the only break we made in the first 30 was by Fielden! In previous seasons we would have gone 30 points behind and the game would have been over.

We came back well and should have won it at the death. Several decisions went against us - and bent-ham's reluctance to punish fat boy's foul play certainly helped them. Had he rightly been put in the bin for the last ten; I think that we would have beaten them. Likewise; if thaler had had a better game and if Pat not dropped the ball when he was in on goal; then would have most likely won.

As it stands now - the players will owe stains one and if we get them in the play-offs then I think that we will play a lot better and certainly there will be no chance of us taking them for granted. Hopefully Goulding will be back in the side for Pryce too; Pat will be back outside Carmont and Amos will be at Fullback.

A disappointment for sure; but we are definitely starting to get the measure of stains

[Sutty]

A disappointment for sure; but we are definitely starting to get the measure of stains

Reading what a lot of Saints fans are writing on "Redvee", they are saying we (Wigan) are the real deal and they know we gave them a run for their money. The blinkered, know it all's are still claiming that they knew they would win though. I'm glad that there are still fans from all clubs who can look at things without blinkers on and give praise where it's due and acknowledge the intensity and closeness of the game / result.

[100% Warrior]

Really great end to end game with 2 teams bursting a gut to win the match (England football team take note).

Only thing that spoiled it for me was Leon Pryce's diving to win penalties from the ref. I was starting to think that he was having a trial for the 2012 springboard team!

Poor defence, especially surprisingly our goal line defence. The excution of our set moves at critical points was disappointing too. At least we hung in there to end up only losing by 2.

Anyway, forget that game now and move on ... we're still top of the league.