widdenoldboy wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 8:15 pm
Did Byrne come back on for another spell? Dupree and Mago were OK but didn't get big minutes - whats with Forber warming the bench for 80? No wonder Hill is unsettled...
Ecky and Douglas showed some real grit and we need to blood the youngsters when we can - don't wait until we really need them and they are undercooked. Hodkinson needs a run at FB with French back to SO,
I think Byrne had only one spell but he's hardly done enough to justify getting longer minutes. Same with Dupree who I thought was awful last week. Mago apparently has been unwell for a bit so I can understand a short spell for him. Unfortunately Thompson and Ellis were below par and when that happens we need others to step up.
Forber is another who hasn't made the most of the opportunities that he's had so I'm not surprised Matt Peet was less inclined to play him. You want to bring players on if they can make an impact and unfortunately Forber hasn't shown that so far this year.
I was worried when I saw Farrimond, Eckersley and Douglas on the same edge but I thought they did really well. Eckersley in particular was making some good reads. It's just a shame Douglas made such a crucial error as I thought he did well otherwise.
French at FB - not a good defender and doesn't look likely to break the line on a kick return. French in the halves - doesn't need to defend except when close to the man, where he is more than useful - brilliant at making space in tight situations.
Field at FB - excellent in defence and always likely to break the line after receiving a kick. Field in the halves - competent in defence and less likely to break the line when tightly marked.
Moral - play your best players in their most effective positions. If Field is absent - leave Bevan in the halves and find another FB.
I was a bit surprised that Douglas, Eckersley and Farrimond didn't seize their opportunities. What better chance could a young player have than being brought in and making a name for yourself?
Young props should be eyeing Mago's position. He was poor again.
Walters was outstanding again but why aren't we using our left flank more. It's by far our best option.
Looks like Vegas wasn't the success story we thought but is perhaps wrecking the season.
While it’s still way to early in the season to really be worrying I can’t help but feel the whole vegas folly was just that a folly,to me this is the time of the season the hard work in training goes on to set up for the rest of the season but no,like Antony league version of right said Fred the players where “shaking their little tush’s” on the catwalk instead of training.
I’ll say it again the season really starts for me at least Good Friday hopefully they can push onwards and hopefully the injuries clear up.
fozzie58 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 12:07 pm
While it’s still way to early in the season to really be worrying I can’t help but feel the whole vegas folly was just that a folly,to me this is the time of the season the hard work in training goes on to set up for the rest of the season but no,like Antony league version of right said Fred the players where “shaking their little tush’s” on the catwalk instead of training.
I’ll say it again the season really starts for me at least Good Friday hopefully they can push onwards and hopefully the injuries clear up.
Maybe/maybe not.
Vegas is firmly in the rear view mirror now though and cannot be used to justify our performances. We looked off before we went to Vegas.
fozzie58 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 12:07 pm
While it’s still way to early in the season to really be worrying I can’t help but feel the whole vegas folly was just that a folly,to me this is the time of the season the hard work in training goes on to set up for the rest of the season but no,like Antony league version of right said Fred the players where “shaking their little tush’s” on the catwalk instead of training.
I’ll say it again the season really starts for me at least Good Friday hopefully they can push onwards and hopefully the injuries clear up.
Maybe/maybe not.
Vegas is firmly in the rear view mirror now though and cannot be used to justify our performances. We looked off before we went to Vegas.
Oh without doubt to me vegas was all encompassing in the prep for this season though both prior to going and now they’ll find form of that I’m sure but these jolly’s really need to stop.
Southern Softy wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 10:54 amFrench at FB - not a good defender and doesn't look likely to break the line on a kick return. French in the halves - doesn't need to defend except when close to the man, where he is more than useful - brilliant at making space in tight situations.
Field at FB - excellent in defence and always likely to break the line after receiving a kick. Field in the halves - competent in defence and less likely to break the line when tightly marked.
Moral - play your best players in their most effective positions. If Field is absent - leave Bevan in the halves and find another FB.
I was a bit surprised that Douglas, Eckersley and Farrimond didn't seize their opportunities. What better chance could a young player have than being brought in and making a name for yourself?
Young props should be eyeing Mago's position. He was poor again.
Walters was outstanding again but why aren't we using our left flank more. It's by far our best option.
Looks like Vegas wasn't the success story we thought but is perhaps wrecking the season.
I don’t understand what you mean? He saved a try just before the try line by one of Leeds players who was twice the size of French!
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
I don't see the criticism of Bevan at full-back either. He's played at f-b plenty for Wigan, and I don't remember too many complaints in the past. Whether he'd be better in the halves is a separate matter.
moto748 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 5:00 pm
I don't see the criticism of Bevan at full-back either. He's played at f-b plenty for Wigan, and I don't remember too many complaints in the past. Whether he'd be better in the halves is a separate matter.
Probably because Field has preformed so well there that people forget.
Or that as Wigan fans we are never happy unless we can complain about players being out of position or square pegs I round holes.
These are two reasons not to trust people.
1. We don't know them.
2. We do know them.
moto748 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 5:00 pm
I don't see the criticism of Bevan at full-back either. He's played at f-b plenty for Wigan, and I don't remember too many complaints in the past. Whether he'd be better in the halves is a separate matter.
Even when Hardaker was here I never thought much of Bevan at fullback he’s just a joy to watch when he’s given freedom to roam and create havoc.
So can Bevan play fullback of course he can,is he as good as Field not in my opinion (for what that’s worth) he’s just a joy to watch when he has that freedoms he has in the halves
Well, opinions can vary, but I well remember a few years back when Wigan fans were thinking, wouldn't it be great if we managed to hang onto just one of French or Field, yet somehow, we managed to hang onto both of them, and not only that, tie them up for a few years. How fortunate we have been, and what memories both have given us. So far.