Wigan 24 Leeds 4

[weststand-rich]

I just wonder if MM's policy of dropping players who are not performing 'on the field' but doing it in training, will apply in this instance. I think Fielden was atrocious last night he made several handling errors & gave away stupid penalties.

To be fair to Stuart, I think Ganson was picking on him a lot, even before the dissent penalty. A number of his "errors" should have gone the other way - Amor not clearing the ruck being the clearest, and twice with Leeds hands in at the ruck (for which Gleeson got penalised earlier, but it's OK when Leeds do it) - and the holding down penalties against him were no worse than we were seeing from other players (of both sides).

Makes a change, I guess - in the past it's always been Lockers that Ganson picked on.

Fielden did have a shocker - I'm prepared to chalk that off as a bad day given his form this season.

The dissent with Ganson was bizarre. His dissent was repeatedly saying "I've not said anything" and eyeballing Ganson, before Ganson called Bailey over and suggested Fielden should keep hold of the ball, not move off the spot and stop blaming him for his mistakes.

It was nice to see Ganson enquiring about the incident at the next scrum. "Are we all friends again?"

[cpwigan]

Ganson was clearly in the wrong re Fielden looking at him. I was once sent off after a match for saying good game to the referee and cleared when it went to a discplinary hearing.

[exile in Tiger country]

I thought a couple or more of Fieldens Knocks on were dubious to say the least, and after that Ganson seemed to have him as a marked man for some reason.
Ithought the Leeds No try in the first half was right in as much as two forward passes were missed in the build up too it, but that the ball was grounded. so right decision for wrong reason.
Tommy's defence for the Webb effort was nothing short of amazing. His organisation going forward also excellent.
Lockers was his usual brilliant self,the hit on Burrow was fantastic, lifted him clear off his feet.
Mossop, O'carrol and Prescott all put in great performances.
Goulding was great, I haven't been his biggest fan, but last night he was magnificent.
Joel, well MOTM for me.
Roberts breaks were yet again very impressive.
Pat also.
Coley was unlucky to go off, hope he's fit for Friday.
Riddell had a great game, playing with an injury, the McIlloroum factor? Who knows, but well played.
A good performance against a very determined Leeds who got more than their share of 50/50 decisons from Ganson.
A word about Tom Bush for Leeds, he looks like he could be very good, has an excellent step, and considering he's part tme, fitted in well.

[Salsa Caliente]

I just wonder if MM's policy of dropping players who are not performing 'on the field' but doing it in training, will apply in this instance. I think Fielden was atrocious last night he made several handling errors & gave away stupid penalties.

To be fair to Stuart, I think Ganson was picking on him a lot, even before the dissent penalty. A number of his "errors" should have gone the other way - Amor not clearing the ruck being the clearest, and twice with Leeds hands in at the ruck (for which Gleeson got penalised earlier, but it's OK when Leeds do it) - and the holding down penalties against him were no worse than we were seeing from other players (of both sides).

Makes a change, I guess - in the past it's always been Lockers that Ganson picked on.

Fielden did have a shocker - I'm prepared to chalk that off as a bad day given his form this season.

The dissent with Ganson was bizarre. His dissent was repeatedly saying "I've not said anything" and eyeballing Ganson, before Ganson called Bailey over and suggested Fielden should keep hold of the ball, not move off the spot and stop blaming him for his mistakes.

It was nice to see Ganson enquiring about the incident at the next scrum. "Are we all friends again?"

Let's face it, Ganson loves being the centre of attention. He struts around like he owns the place.

I'd have more respect for him if he called penalties against us he called the same penalties to the opposition. Unfortunately, he didn't and that's what gets the speccies frustrated.

As for the tackling penalties, I'd chalk that down to the lack of bottle displayed by the League in the face of coaches not liking what we're dishing out this season (seems strange that when we aired our views in the past regarding over exuberant tackling, we're called whingers but when other coaches do it then it becomes the great disciplinary crusade) and the media getting on the Eddie and Stevo band wagon. All I have to say is this, if you don't like the way we play, watch the overpaid prima donnas who kick a pigskin around for ninety minutes instead!!!

[Exiled Wiganer]

Having a couple of minutes on my hands, I had a go at picking a Wigan side with players in the equivalent positions all injured. Here's what I ended up with:
Phelps
Roberts
Goulding
Marsh
Karl P
Sam
Leuluai
Feca
Piggy
Prescott
Mossop
Farrell
Joel

McIllorum
O'C
Tuson
Deacon

We seem to have far greater strength in depth, and that team would get into the play offs for mine.

[botica]

I just wonder why the ref can get away with speaking to a player in the manner Ganson spoke to Stuart last night, he incited the disent issue, Suart did nothing wrong, how you look at someone isn't in the rule book... He was frustrated at the poor move aways from the tackles Leeds were doing which was causing the problems in the fist place... albeit Stuart should have realised by this point that this was happening and looked at his ball carry..
Overall a good win, against a good leeds team, Injuries, i thought a good team to send IMO

[cpwigan]

We have the best squad in SL. In fact whilst teams can put as good a 17 out we signicantly trounce most if not all teams in terms of squad strength.

[Exiled Wiganer]

I was over-zealous actually - the 3/4 should be Roberts, Goulding, Gleeson, Marsh (Pryce?).
We wouldn't spend a week moaning about finding players somewhere anywhere if we were in that position.

[ancientnloyal]

We have the best squad in SL. In fact whilst teams can put as good a 17 out we signicantly trounce most if not all teams in terms of squad strength.

Didn't you say that Leeds had the best squad and indeed would be better this season? Forgetting the injuries do you think differently now we've seen a bit of their new signings etc? I still think Leeds have the best squad but we are very much improved this year tactically and through fitness.

Regarding Fielden he is a good player and was unlucky on friday. He has the passion which is good, the way he has started this season he could get back into the England squad (for what it's worth) along with Joel tomkins who hasn't done much wrong tbh.

[GeoffN]

We have the best squad in SL. In fact whilst teams can put as good a 17 out we signicantly trounce most if not all teams in terms of squad strength.

Didn't you say that Leeds had the best squad and indeed would be better this season? Forgetting the injuries do you think differently now we've seen a bit of their new signings etc? I still think Leeds have the best squad but we are very much improved this year tactically and through fitness.

Regarding Fielden he is a good player and was unlucky on friday. He has the passion which is good, the way he has started this season he could get back into the England squad (for what it's worth) along with Joel tomkins who hasn't done much wrong tbh.

At the start of the season (ie going off last season's form) I thought Leeds had a better squad than us, but that didn't take into account the massive improvements that the new back-room staff have brought about to the likes of Roberts, Fielden, Riddell & co.