Wigan v Leeds

[cow yeds]

Having suffered watching the match again I think that one of the factors that let Leeds get on top, besides our dumb mistakes and poor refereeing, was McDermotts team selection. Whilst far from being a tactical genius, his decision to counteract what should have been a stronger pack by essentially starting with three props by playing Bailey at loose appeared to pay off. He also took the brave decision to start with his quicker interchange hooker to try and catch us cold and get off to a fast start, bringing on his more defensive hooker later to try to nullify our attacking threat when we had to play catch-up rugby.

I think you are correct Doc.

[cpwigan]

Perhaps George would have got enough of Watkins to haul him down. It he was clean through why did he (Watkins) not score himself?

Re Gelling, he was yards from the line, watching is not an option. The best wingers I have seen defwending were the likes of Mick Sullivan, Billy B, Dessy Drummond who crunched opposing centres / wingers. Sometimes, you have to bite the bullet and kill.

Watkins didn't score himself because Gelling got to him and initiated the tackle which forced Watkins to pass. Had Gelling been concentrating on BJB then he wouldn't have been in a position to tackle Watkins so Watkins would have strolled over the line.

While wingers should be alert at all times there was no reason for Gelling to take Watkins because there was no reason for him to anticipate that Carmont wouldn't be able to make the tackle. Gelling had to trust his man to make the tackle rather than needlessly create an overlap but unfortunately Carmont failed to do what he was supposed to.

Gelling was perhaps lucky that his poor positioning wasn't exploited but he wasn't to blame for the try.

Cherry irrespective Gelling was a non factor and could do nothing to prevent the try. Even with Carmont struggling, especially so, an outside winger should be alert to what is happening and blitz Watkins al a Mick Sullivan, Billy B or Dessy Drummond would have done. IIRC, Gelling was caught out in a previous game by not being tight enough to his winger and too far back.

In many respects I feel sorry for Gelling he is not a winger and never will be. I often read people talking about the yards he contributes. V Leeds a less than fit Charnley mades as many metres per carry as Gelling.

[markill]

I agree with Cherry that the try wasn't Gelling's fault. Watkins was through Carmont's awful tackle attempt so Gelling had to move in. Gelling moving in meant Watkins had to offload as he couldn't be sure of scoring himself but his winger was in the clear now.

The only thing is, i do think Gelling looks a bit on his heels or something when these types of plays come his way close to the line. This did show that. He went towards Watkins but you never felt he was going to truly affect the play either way. I don't think on this occasion he could have charged out at Watkins like CP seems to be suggesting, but that is the type of thing i'd like to see if he stays on the wing. He doesn't show as much aggression in defense as he does when carrying the ball in my opinion.

[Wigan Warriors No 1 fan]

I think that Wigan should play Thornley at London and when Richards is back loan Gelling out and he'll be a better player for you only have to look at Liam Farrell.

[kevccool]

You can analyse things to death, blame the players and the coach (the same people who we have all been praising all season when we have been winning) but the bottom line (after seeing the game again - too) is that irrespective of refeering is that Leeds really did their homework on us and played as though their whole season depended on that 80 minutes. Wigan did not because they weren't allowed to - in an arm wrestle there has to be a winner and with all the theories and opinions the simple answer is that the winnner is the stronger so well done Leeds. If we had won then Waney's preparation would have been spot on, because we lost the doubters start to surface. That is sport you cannot win every game. Every team has a blip and we are now having ours better now than when the playoffs start I love the challenge cup but the League Leaders and Super League is what it is about these days. What it has highlighted is that I think our squad was a little lightweight in certain areas which has been magnified with key injuries but all teams suffer from this hopefully this can be rectified when a few big earners come off the cap. Move on and get behind the boys come the end of the season when the players are back we will be in the mix - mark my words.

[josie andrews]

Is Gelling the new Goulding???

Give the guy a break, yeah he played crap, but so did the other 17 who were in the squad.

It's just one game & only a game!!

All this will soon be forgotten if, at the end of the season, Wigan Warriors are lifting the SL trophy

[Wigan Warriors No 1 fan]

Even though I think Wigan should loan Gelling out to be fair its like if we'd played Joel Tomkins on the because he was naturally a second rower or a centre but if we loan him out hopefully the club that he would be loaned out to would play him on the wing.

[markill]

Is Gelling the new Goulding???

Give the guy a break, yeah he played crap, but so did the other 17 who were in the squad.

It's just one game & only a game!!

All this will soon be forgotten if, at the end of the season, Wigan Warriors are lifting the SL trophy

Even worse Josie, Gelling didn't come through our system so people have even less patience for him. He wasn't the worst on Saturday.

[the winky one]

You can analyse things to death, blame the players and the coach (the same people who we have all been praising all season when we have been winning) but the bottom line (after seeing the game again - too) is that irrespective of refeering is that Leeds really did their homework on us and played as though their whole season depended on that 80 minutes. Wigan did not because they weren't allowed to - in an arm wrestle there has to be a winner and with all the theories and opinions the simple answer is that the winnner is the stronger so well done Leeds. If we had won then Waney's preparation would have been spot on, because we lost the doubters start to surface. That is sport you cannot win every game. Every team has a blip and we are now having ours better now than when the playoffs start I love the challenge cup but the League Leaders and Super League is what it is about these days. What it has highlighted is that I think our squad was a little lightweight in certain areas which has been magnified with key injuries but all teams suffer from this hopefully this can be rectified when a few big earners come off the cap. Move on and get behind the boys come the end of the season when the players are back we will be in the mix - mark my words.

:eusa2: :eusa2: :eusa2: