cpwigan wrote:Deacs is great at the passes that as you say start the right to left sweeping moves. He is living on limited time though and at some point we will have to bite the bullet and blood somebody in his place. On the Webb try IIRC Hansen let him down by leaving him exposed on the inside IMO. He is however, our weakest defender.
I find it baffling how fans argue that Charnley is not a good defender just as they said the same re Goulding. The right side defence does not work as well as a team and it is time fans woke up to the fact defence is about teamwork.
I'm one of those who thing that Charnley is a poor defender at the moment.
I agree re; right side over left side but, he's keen to attack the ball or where he thinks the ball is going and often caught in no-man's land leaving space behind him. The relationship between him and Joel needs to be built on better communication but that will happen and that should improve his defence but I think currently he is not at the required level in this aspect. Joel too suffers from exuberance in wanting to 'win' ball rather than wait for the right time to tackle and the right time to shepherd - both will improve.
cpwigan wrote:Deacs is great at the passes that as you say start the right to left sweeping moves. He is living on limited time though and at some point we will have to bite the bullet and blood somebody in his place. On the Webb try IIRC Hansen let him down by leaving him exposed on the inside IMO. He is however, our weakest defender.
I find it baffling how fans argue that Charnley is not a good defender just as they said the same re Goulding. The right side defence does not work as well as a team and it is time fans woke up to the fact defence is about teamwork.
I'm one of those who thing that Charnley is a poor defender at the moment.
I agree re; right side over left side but, he's keen to attack the ball or where he thinks the ball is going and often caught in no-man's land leaving space behind him. The relationship between him and Joel needs to be built on better communication but that will happen and that should improve his defence but I think currently he is not at the required level in this aspect. Joel too suffers from exuberance in wanting to 'win' ball rather than wait for the right time to tackle and the right time to shepherd - both will improve.
Mark, Individually every player in the Wigan team bar Deacs is a strong one on one defender. So defensively as a player nobody has any issues. The issue is that defence is a collective responsibility. The decisions of every player to your side of the POTB, inside you in that line impacts on what you have to decide and do. Their spacing/line discipline directly influences your decision making. Those players on the outside are faced with the toughest decisions often not of their own making.
So when fans criticised Goulding and now Charnley then hopefully it will register that the problem lies in the teamwork rather than the individual. Having said that, is there a huge problem? Both Pat and Josh conceded tries to ingoal grubbers which are incredibly difficult to stop. Hardaker had to score a try diving just inside play. Deacs and Hansen left too big a gap after Leeds got a fast POTB from a poor tackle for Webb to score. Give any team lots of ball in your own 20 and you will concede points. The biggest issue v Leeds we gifted them possession far too frequently and with excellent field position.
OK heres my pennies worth, a lot of things said are true so Im going to come from a different angle.
Firstly I wish to congratulate McDermott, I dont rate him but his tactics where spot on added to that the ref and it made for a close game!
I like this type of game every now and then, we come away with a scruffy 2, these games keep you honest IMO!
Charnley is exceptional in defence, what I would say to all those who have sky plussed the game watch it back and when you think Charnley is bad rewind it and ask yourself the question as to where is Joel, then where is his inside man and his and what is the cause, 3 man tackle with a very quick POTB ship the ball quick enough gaps will occur!
More imprtant than winning this game is to back it up with wins against Cas and Quins, we have have had a tough few weeks winning well and winning tough we need to keep the tough mental attitude and continue to plod on!