RE: Why doubt Noble? : Sun Feb 08, 2009 5:01 pm
Wigan Warriors 6 - 12 Wakefield
That's why.
There was no performance from that side. I ranted all week along with many others about Noble's team selection and as the saying goes I hate to say I told you so.
Richie Mathers is a waste of space. We don't have a fullback. Never have last season and yet we extend his contract, shocking in the friendlies and yet Noble still plays him. He will most likely play next week.
The decision to have 1 hooker in Mark Riddell proved a sh*t one. In one substitution we have to change our stand off, scrum half, hooker and loose forward. 4 most pivital positions. Tomkins moves to lock, lockers move to stand off, Smith moves to scrum half and Leuluai moves to hooker. Ridiculous when we have Michael McIlorum who can play there or bring Sam Tomkins into the frame but once again Noble refuses to play local talent.
Mark Riddell looked unfit and didn't impact himself in the game at all.
Tim Smith looked very good at times just the team doesn't know what he's doing. There's no communication. He looks a liability in defense though.
Our attack is no different to last season. Predictable, that's what Wigan are. Paleaasina drives and Gareth Hock offloads are all we can offer. People criticise Hock for his "daft" offloads. There not daft, there made to look daft because no-one reads them.
We don't have a rugby league brain in that squad. Brad Drew orchestrated everything Wakefield did and has a real rugby brain on him. Cracking little player. We don't have one throughout our squad.
Our mistake has been that Trent Barrett carried us for 2 season. How IL could criticse that man I don't know. It shows our chairman knows sod all about rugby.
Brian Noble is not the man to take us forward. I got ripped for saying it before a ball was kicked and I will get ripped for saying it after just one game. But you just watch, call me mystic meg but we'll win bugger all under Noble.
