Wigan 16 Warrington 23

[GeoffN]

I'm amazed Lockers isn't getting any mentions in the analyses. Top tackler (I'm pretty sure, without seeing the stats), one of a very few (on either side) not to make an error, miss a tackle or concede a penalty, played the full 80, set up Piggy's try with a good run and quick PTB, and forced several knock-ons from the Wire pack.

Although I agree our pack got bullied eventually, they were forcing error after error from the Wire pack in that first 25 minutes (I think I counted at least SIX forced knock-ons in that period. We effectively lost that game in that period, when from the possession & territory we should have been 20 points up, not just 6. Good as Wire were, I don't think they could have come back from such a deficit.

[Brian Edgar]

Correct Geoff.
I actually think Lockers was not up to his normal super fit standards. Frightening that he can be that good in those circumstances.
Carvell had a nightmare for Wire.

[R Douglas]

We just need some big horrible forwards to add some fire to the pack which we currently do not have. We have known all year that is where our weakness lies. So we address that in the closed season and we are in pretty good shape.[/quote]

As a member of the Kelvin Skerrett fan club and former St Pats No 10 myself, I can not agree more with the one liner from Mr S, which would have stopped me debating it for 4 hrs last night and nearly starting world war III in our household.

Although Madge's recruitment for 2011 needs to be a little more refined, "some big horrible forwards" would have finished Wire off after 20 last night, and won us the match. It was like watching a boxing match with a little good un who's got an big old timer on the ropes but just can't find the one punch that would put him down. Several rounds of grabbing, mauling and elbowing later and hey presto, the old head wins.

Someone said experience doesn't matter . . . one extra propper hard man in our front row and a Furner type in the back of the pack, would have completely trasformed that game for us last night, sometime around Round 3!

And guess what, Super Briers wouldn't have been stood crowing at full time, he'd have been sat on the bench with some kind of strapping all over him, like every game where his forwards fail to get on top!

[Matthew]

Interesting Mr Dave O. Am I right in you claiming that the biggest pack always wins? You certainly seemed to have decided before a ball had been passed or a tackle made that the Wigan pack was not good enough to competye with the Wire pack Am I right or wrong that was your assertion?

CPW you have been banned already.

Dave

When/what did CP get banned for? I go away for a couple of days and miss everything - typical!

[El Bobbers]

It's not just our props which need to add size, our whole pack is small, Hanson in particular is very small for a forward, even smaller than our centers nevermind wires. Possibly the reason we have been linked/signed Hoffman?

P.S. I'm not picking on Hanson as a player, very brave and runs good lines and an absolute workhorse in defence, just small.

[Brian Edgar]

Matthew trouble makers. Both CPW and Dave O. RL armchair experts. I don't know why I often think Dave O is a Morris Dancer in his spare time.

[old hooker]

My comments, as a 'casual' observer are;

We had an inexperienced set of forwards competing against a very experienced set of forwards. Our pack was basically 'beaten up'.

Leaving Paul Deacon on the bench was a big mistake - he should have started alongside Tommy L with Sam at fullback. Amos Roberts doesn't look as if he is fully fit.

No game plan to nullify Lee Briers who kicked us to death.

I am optimistic that when we get some of our more experienced forwards back we will do better.
We are still at No1!!!!!

Inexperienced,Lockers,Fielden,Prescott,Hanson,Riddell,?
are you sure

[GeoffN]

My comments, as a 'casual' observer are;

We had an inexperienced set of forwards competing against a very experienced set of forwards. Our pack was basically 'beaten up'.

Leaving Paul Deacon on the bench was a big mistake - he should have started alongside Tommy L with Sam at fullback. Amos Roberts doesn't look as if he is fully fit.

No game plan to nullify Lee Briers who kicked us to death.

I am optimistic that when we get some of our more experienced forwards back we will do better.
We are still at No1!!!!!

Inexperienced,Lockers,Fielden,Prescott,Hanson,Riddell,?
are you sure

Overall, yes. Wigan pack's average age 23, Wire's 28.

[slimshady]

This is partly Wigan'a fault due to the way it has handled the Feka situation IMO.

Correct Feka should have been offloaded earlier in the season, as should Karl Pryce. Just watched them both for the U20's and they were embarrassing. Playing against kids they should have been smashing holes through them but both were ineffective. Both players made errors that lead to tries which contributed to the teams defeat, the look on the other lads faces after Warrington scored said it all. They should be not be at the club they are holding back development of young players who Iam sure would give their all to play in that team. I hope IL get shut asap, they are a disgrace.

[Fujiman]

Interesting Mr Dave O. Am I right in you claiming that the biggest pack always wins? You certainly seemed to have decided before a ball had been passed or a tackle made that the Wigan pack was not good enough to competye with the Wire pack Am I right or wrong that was your assertion?

CPW you have been banned already.

Dave

When/what did CP get banned for? I go away for a couple of days and miss everything - typical!

I've missed that one as well!