Alright lads. First post, be kind!
So I’m from down south and tbh come from a Union background but always followed League/Wigan, watch all the TV games, and been a long time lurker on the forums.
Thought that last night anything that could go wrong did go wrong, and we blew up spectacularly over the course of 80 mins. Credit to Leeds, defended well and when they had the chance to land the killer blows they did and were worthy winners no question, but let’s focus on Wigan…
I know it’s knockout rugby but the tactics got very conservative, even then we got plenty of go forward but seemed strange to take width and pace off our play and don’t think it helped matters in terms of turning points into pressure.
French’s injury seemed to be a key moment, he hobbled on for a bit but we effectively had no right flank (then had to reshuffle) and though I wouldn’t say the team panicked, definitely became unsettled and scratchy in everything it did. Attack stuttered, discipline went a bit, then the defence, and all of a sudden chasing the game.
Then the red card and you knew the game was up. To be honest we kept going and had some chances and maybe one or two decisions go against, but the damage was done, you knew it.
Do have some general musings/questions as a noob.
The pivots were a massive problem last night. Leuluai was so slow in attack, and retirement is the right call. Smith didn’t have a good game, was snatching at his kicking and passing, but had to do everything in fairness and had switched sides and maybe timings etc. were off. Cust isn’t a top drawer player, but he has a calm head and plays at the line, and he was missed last night. 9 was a massive problem though. I know from reading for years that Powell is marmite and the argument has been done to death, but I’m one of those who doesn’t get it. His qualities are always talked about as defence/leadership/culture etc…. ok great, what about consistent core competencies for a 9? Even at his best he is achingly slow to get the ball away from the ruck, he doesn’t fix or control the defence from the ruck, his passing technique and “snap” is really limited, and he has next to zero running game. As I say I’m a bit of an onlooker I admit, but he’s the first one I’d change and can’t believe Wigan don’t want more of an up-tempo guy who puts pace into proceedings the likes of Field and French etc. can thrive off the back of. Time to get away from the McIlorum/Powell types, in my opinion.
Bateman is another I have issues with, just in that he’s nothing like the player he was before and then in Australia. I admit I only see the TV games and it's not likely a popular view, and the stats arguments always look good for him, but for a senior player reckoned to be one of the best around I always see daft errors or him trying to do too much (leading to more errors) or then last night no discipline. His performances, what I see, aren’t worthy of your marquee player, he’s not even a top 5 performer what I see this year. He must be better.
Think I agree with everyone in that Centre positions must be better. There needs to be a bit more x-factor, oomph, quality, call it what you will. Bigger, quicker, can carry harder, release their winger, any upgrade in these areas would be nice. I’d probably also controversially throw in the second rows into equation here – Farrell and Bateman (despite what I said above) are quality players but I always notice both instinctively like to step back inside and see what develops and both more elusive runners. Some powerhouse wider runner could come from this position as an alternative, but whatever, I think somewhere at 3,4,11, or 12 this would help the team and create even more space (especially in the biggest games, where we have got shutdown a bit) for the back three to do their work.
But anyway, I’ll stop there with the ramblings. A disappointing end to what’s been an encouraging season in terms of an upturn in both results and the rugby being played.
