i agree that some of the comments from last week were over the top, but then its unnecessary saying this when we could quite easily turn in another poor performance next week. but regardless, this week was encouraging.

IMO it was pretty obvious we needed more game time together last week.. massive overreaction as per usual...

The difference between this week and last? Desire! We wanted it more this week and it showed in everything we did, from great scramble defense to accurate slick passing.

shifting the ball from right to left seems alot more effective so far. anything in that?

Charnley was superb for you tonight. He kept his head up despite his first try being disallowed and got on with the game. That's a sign of maturity and I hope he has a great season.

Micky Mac cops a lot of unjustified stick. If he has a bad game he is not good enough for Wigan to some who seem to ignore games like this one and the 2010 GF. As to Goulding he still has to prove he can be 1st choice centre because he has not got performances under his belt like Micky to point to. He looks like he will get his chance though and given the way he was treated by Noble, good luck to him. As to Lauaki he was pretty average and far from excellent.

It's amazing the difference when kicks find the floor in the right places. Wigan earned their corn tonight. Got the basics right. I also thought Charnley was unlucky to have his first try disallowed as the ball had gone past the dummy runner & he couldn't change his line.

And all the fuss about Hudds lying on last week...the loiners made us look like rank amateurs in that department with the likes of Maguire,Sinfield, Webb etc.

A well-earned victory for the pies & a big reality check for the doom & gloom merchants in your stable from round one.

I'd say that's debatable. Goulding has had good performances just like McIlorum. I think McIlorum gets more stick because he plays in a position that has arguably the most influence on the whole team. Some of the criticism is also because we have a very good alternative in Leuluai, which is why there's a lot of debate.

Complete turn around from last week. The pack was totally dominant, Mossop had a superb game, Lauaki looked very good to imo, I was sceptical when we signed him but think he put in a good performance today.

The desire was clear to see and our defence was absolutely brutal which had a few leeds players rattled.

Micky Mc really put himself about and caused a lot of problems for leeds. He is one tough nut!! But he along with the whole squad just looked generally sharper, quicker and more aggressive than last week which was very good to see. Certainly have a much more positive outlook after today in comparison to last week.

the interesting thing is when mcilorum plays well as a hooker, he plays like no other hooker in super league. great aggression in the middle of the pitch.

Goulding has not played centre for us prior to this season for ages so I am not sure what you are referring to as to the good performances. The last time he was a regular in the side it was on the wing so how are any good performances there relevant? Micky Mac has a much longer track record in his [ucorrect position[/u than Goulding so IMO this is Goulding's opportunity, [uand also his test,[/u to see if he cam hack it at centre.

Well I was referring to the good performances in the rare games he's played at centre in the last couple of years as well as good performances a few years ago, I just didn't realise you were putting a time-scale on it.

So basically, you admit I have got a point.

Yes. He's not had an real opportunity at centre in recent years so he does have to prove himself capable of being a first choice centre this year.

Mind you, McIlorum still has to prove himself too.

I must say I was bitterly disappointed to see that when Lockers made the break in the secondhalf, we had zero players in support. I wouldn't say we're a team lacking pace out wide, but if there's a downside to playing Tommy and Finch in the halves it's their lack of pace and the knock on effect it has in the middle of the park.

We really could do with some pace in the middle, someone constantly providing support of the forwards and any half breaks or offloads they may provide. It's understandable that Sam doesn't fulfill this role as he's usually stood in the attacking line.

Well there you go. You answered your own question. Sam is in the wrong place.

Fair point, though Lockers is no slouch; he takes some catching when he's in his stride, it's not that surprising that no supporting player could catch up in time.

I know you believe that Dave. But at present Sam is the only viable option we have. Whether that changes down the line with the reintroduction of Amos, and blooding of Russel remains to be seen.


I must say Lockers did look a lot speedier than last season, no doubt due to the fact he's no longer carrying a hip injury. Still I was shocked that no one got near, even with him zigzagging across the pitch looking for support.

Support play is definitely an area that needs to be improved upon. At the moment our best support players are Faz and Tomkins but I don't think anyone else really stands out as having good support play.
Mellor or Russell would add another strong support player to the side and I'm pretty sure both will get a chance soon enough.

Well there is the thing. Shaun Edwards was one of the best support players ever to play the game and Sam is out of the same mould IMO. So apart from anything else I think our support play would be improved with Sam in the line more than he is at FB. I think 3 years down the line when it is likely Sam will leave we will all regret it if he has not made the transition from 1 to 6 (as Mr Edwards did) sooner rather than later.

I'll be honest and say your trying to steer clear of giving Lauaki praise. He was excellent tonight and nobody bar people who are willing him to fail could deny that imo. He just kept making Leeds get back in defence and caused them all end of problems imo.

I'll hold my hand up and say i'm willing him to do well but equally we shouldn't be willing him to fail...I think some people are tbh.

Really pleased for him tonight.

We always need a scapegoat @wigan and with Micky and Goulding putting in a really good perfermance, who's left?? Flower? Hansen? me? you?? and with Pryce gone. One needs to be found and quick!!

Scapegoat this season got to be No.18 this season.

Thought no.18 did ok last night!

Glad that it came across so well! hard work paid off.