Wigan : Sat Jun 04, 2016 7:42 am  

Although we made some basic errors at critical times of the game I was proud of our boys last night. During the early part of the second half Wigan put a lot of pressure on us, clearly we had players dead on there feet, Salford of old would have folded.
Not only did we hang on mid way through the second half but had them hanging on at the end, special mention to Logan Tomkins last night full 80 minutes played a big part.

Looking at last night games the game changed when Dobson missed the easy kick before half time & instead of being 12-4 we went in at half time 11-10 down for me that was the game changer.
Finally well done to Conner Williams only 17 & to make his debut in such a crucial game

Re: Wigan : Sat Jun 04, 2016 8:48 am  

Am sure you are right and I will feel that way later, but am still angry. We should have won that game, poor decision to go for the 2. We can't defend 20 point lead never mind 8, so why bother? These little things seem to turn things for us, and we can never turn it round, like the dropped ball v cas.

We needed that win, and they were there for the taking in my opinion. Injury to sau didn't help the already stretched backline though.

I suppose it's an indication of how far we have come, I would have been happy with that any other season

Re: Wigan : Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:19 am  

Disagree, it was the correct call to go for 2 points. Let be honest it was a very simple kick that Dobbo had to make but he messed it up. If he landed the kick we go in 12-4 up at HT and it's a completely different game. As it happens we allow the resultant drop goal (absolutely pathetic from us) to run dead and Wigan score off the drop out.

Any one of the Salford teams over the last couple of years would have got a drubbing in that second half. Wigan had so much of the ball for a 20 minute spell but our lads stuck at it and dug in. As you say I was very proud of the performance too, especially given the injuries we had before and during the game.

Great to see Connor Williams make his debut, hopefully he will get a go at Leeds.

Re: Wigan : Mon Jun 06, 2016 9:04 am  

Sorry to disagree Jgr, it was the wrong call,at the wrong time.In my 55 years of watching the game,that is the worst Wigan team I have seen they were their for taking and we failed,I am sure the Butcher will agree.It is time I'n my opinion we should stop making excuses,Wigan were their for taking,and through dumb football by experienced players we failed.Outside the ground I herd Koucash tell all and sundry it was the referees fault,not on Friday it was our own fault.On Friday we gifted them the game,as I say in this instance we should stop the excuses in the long run it does the club no favours.Rant over.

Re: Wigan : Mon Jun 06, 2016 10:09 am  

I'm not looking for excuses? But I am also not blaming the call to go for two points either. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and it’s easy to criticise the decision after we ended up missing. Whether or not this is the worst Wigan team you have seen, they’re still near the top of the table and are still better than us. It was a brave effort given the injuries we had before the game and especially considering the ones we incurred during.

I spoke to Marwan after the game also, he wasn’t blaming the referee. He was proud of the performance and the way the players kept fighting until the final hooter again. We’re in year 1 of Tim Sheens 3 year plan and are a couple of new signings away from having a team that WILL challenge at the top end of the table.

This season was all about restoring some pride and building. We struggled recruiting some good players last season because of the awful reputation the club had. Agents quite rightly avoided sending their clients to Salford and Watto and Sheens did very well to assemble the squad they did. I am confident we won’t have that problem again this year and Sheens job be will made easier due to the performances on the field and unbelievable team spirit amongst the players.

Re: Wigan : Mon Jun 06, 2016 11:50 am  

I and many around me, did think it was the wrong decision at the time. We hadn't had many minutes in their 20 yet got gifted a set of 6 with the chance of going clear in what was looking like being a close game. Why don't we back ourselves more? We've got the 4th best attack in the league. I don't suppose any of us envisaged them dropping out to our dead ball line though - what a kick!

My main gripe is that in the second half our heads seemed to go down far too easily. When only 5 and then 7 points behind (with plenty of time on the clock) and even when we had the ball, there were too many standing around, hands on hips, not even getting back onside. We needed our 'game changers' (they know who they are) to step up and I'm not convinced they did that. Carney however had another great game (20 carries for 197m!) - the most explosive player on the park.

Also, the ref bashing was a bit embarrassing. He gave us plenty of penalties and yet was getting some ridiculous levels of abuse. Note to (some) Salford fans: it isn't, by default, the ref's fault.

Having said all that, we have been beaten by Wigan by a total of 7 points over two fixtures, and in another year may have done the oh so elusive double. What did Sheens say at the start of the year, we may lose but we won't get beaten? Long may that continue...

Re: Wigan : Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:15 pm  

Derek Smalls wrote:

I and many around me, did think it was the wrong decision at the time. We hadn't had many minutes in their 20 yet got gifted a set of 6 with the chance of going clear in what was looking like being a close game. Why don't we back ourselves more? We've got the 4th best attack in the league. I don't suppose any of us envisaged them dropping out to our dead ball line though - what a kick!

My main gripe is that in the second half our heads seemed to go down far too easily. When only 5 and then 7 points behind (with plenty of time on the clock) and even when we had the ball, there were too many standing around, hands on hips, not even getting back onside. We needed our 'game changers' (they know who they are) to step up and I'm not convinced they did that. Carney however had another great game (20 carries for 197m!) - the most explosive player on the park.

Also, the ref bashing was a bit embarrassing. He gave us plenty of penalties and yet was getting some ridiculous levels of abuse. Note to (some) Salford fans: it isn't, by default, the ref's fault.

Having said all that, we have been beaten by Wigan by a total of 7 points over two fixtures, and in another year may have done the oh so elusive double. What did Sheens say at the start of the year, we may lose but we won't get beaten? Long may that continue...

To a certain degree I agree with you Jgr.But it was exasperating because I thought Wigan was their for the taking I just thought it was dumb football, also not finding touch with the penalty at a crucial time,I don't think we will get eight without the points back I think the bottom eight with Leeds Huddersfield and possibly Widnes will be harder than last season

Re: Wigan : Mon Jun 06, 2016 5:59 pm  

Anyone know what the crowd was?

Re: Wigan : Mon Jun 06, 2016 6:13 pm  

John Gilbert Reds wrote:

I'm not looking for excuses? But I am also not blaming the call to go for two points either. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and it’s easy to criticise the decision after we ended up missing. Whether or not this is the worst Wigan team you have seen, they’re still near the top of the table and are still better than us. It was a brave effort given the injuries we had before the game and especially considering the ones we incurred during.

I spoke to Marwan after the game also, he wasn’t blaming the referee. He was proud of the performance and the way the players kept fighting until the final hooter again. We’re in year 1 of Tim Sheens 3 year plan and are a couple of new signings away from having a team that WILL challenge at the top end of the table.

This season was all about restoring some pride and building. We struggled recruiting some good players last season because of the awful reputation the club had. Agents quite rightly avoided sending their clients to Salford and Watto and Sheens did very well to assemble the squad they did. I am confident we won’t have that problem again this year and Sheens job be will made easier due to the performances on the field and unbelievable team spirit amongst the players.

Agree with most of this, but going for the 2 I disagreed with at their time, as I did against wire. Even if he'd have scored it. We just can't defend well enough. If we had a better defence I probably would have agreed with you

For the positives you mention, totally agree. We are going in the right direction, losing still hurts though!

Re: Wigan : Mon Jun 06, 2016 8:31 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Anyone know what the crowd was?

4096