Time for another run boys:

Wasn't the second half against Bradford the end of the honeymoon period?

It will be interesting to see how MM will react next week in terms of team selection. Losing Gleeson was a big factor in the loss - Bailey was prety slow in defence for at least a couple of their tries and I would hope we don't see him in the centres again.

Quins did look good but it is pretty worrying that we shipped so many points in a half without response - i did think we wouldhave the depth in our squad to deal with this -especially with players like Farrell coming in and putting such a great performance.

I think the next game against a very good huddersfield team will be a good indicator for the rest of the season. Looking forward to it.

blips happen...i did have a relaps of bradford all over again but if anyone thinks their team is going to go a season without losing or having one of two games they don't perform for then they are going to be very disapointed, there isn't an easy team in superlague! If this poor form runs into 2/3/4 games then yes alarm bells can ring, but i think this is a bit of a knee jerk reaction to a loss.

You have to remember that we won the other games we haven't been great in and that is a sign of a champion team, we have lost key players and i don't think there was many on the pitch over the age of 25 last night.
Can i remind people that quins actually very nearly beat a good saints team as well as beating a good wakey team and their early season form was played heavily down to injuries.

I understand last night was desperately disapointing and no one should give away such a lead!!! however this is only our 2nd lose of the season, i don't think its time to panic just yet.

FWIW if wither one of Gleeson or Goulding is back (which you would expect one) I would go with the following for Hudds;

Richards
Gleeson/ Goulding
J Tomkins
Carmont
Ainscough
Phelps
S Tomkins
Mossop
Riddell
Fielden
Farrell
Bailey
O'Loughlin
---------------
Prescott
Feka
Mcllurum
Walker

Got to put players in the positions they play the best given the injuries. sO'L has only been half as effective in the halves as LF and needs to leed the pack....Bailey was a nightmare at centre and should never play there again...AGAIN he is better in the pack.

Also playing bailey and ainscough on the same wing in an untried partnership was just asking for trouble. We need to sturdy both sides and balance experience with youth, which is why I would have Ainny outside Carmont to get some protection from an experienced centre.

J Tomkins has arguably played his best rugby at centre this season and is almost a natural centre from the pack anyway so he would be the best readymade replacement.

Phelps has to move from FB as he is making too many errors at the minute defensively- Yes great in attack from FB but he has been Mathersesque in the last few weeks in defence....We have to go with Mr Reliable at FB IMO and the best defensive FB at the club to sure that position is PR.

Allow Phelps to work on his attacking game and give us another playmaker in the middle which we lost on Fri as Sam was trying to take the game on his own.

Far more balanced team IMO and as far as possible (given the injuries) we are using players where they will be most effective

Phelps isn't really an organiser, though. I'm really hoping we get either TL or Deacs back.

Our enthusiasm for the cause, self belief, confidence and commitment has been the key towards our start to the season. A refreshing change of culture.

We have out enthused virtually everyone we have faced. As a result we are top of the league.

What we have seen at Salford, Sheffield & culminating in last nights effort is a tailing off in those values that have seen us make such a good start. Granted we had injuries but we were out enthused last night. End of. And that is what we have to deal with. Do the team want to return to the old Wigan culture of poor performances leading to an unacceptable defeat which results in a temporary boost in form and several decent wins or do they want o be top o' the league consistent?

Good luck Maguire

That's good preparation for "the exam"

I wouldn't have Ainscough playing at Murrayfield. Huddersfield and Danny Brough in particular would kick at him all day and would take him apart. The outcome would likely be a heavy defeat for us. His kick defence is far too poor for him to be worth the risk. If necessary I would rather see Charnley, Marsh or Veivers given an opportunity than Ainscough.

We played some dumb rugby at times simple as. Why we wanted to throw the ball around when winning by 8 and then 2 I have no idea.

Still, we're 10 from 12 and that'll do me.