15 minutes to go but i have felt the need to post at the despicable commentary. All i have heard since Hardaker was sin binned is the endeavour and determination of Leeds. I have never heard so much bias. Please get Hemmings off the air when Stevo goes. The hatred for Wigan is ridiculous.

On the game (so far) first half was very poor by both sides, very sloppy. Second half Leeds have been (were) pretty much the same but we found the gaps. I think the difference was Tomkins and Williams having a bit of freedom to dictate the play how they wanted to do it. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

EDIT :- moment of the game - 71 mins. Danny McGuire to John Bateman "Don't start tekkin p!ss owt of me youw little prick"

The season is there for the taking for Wigan. We've been ordinary most of the time but you sense there's plenty more in us.

I've backed the team all through the season apart from last week. It simply wasn't good enough but they've bounced back tonight and they now need to try and hit some form.

We're not a great team by any stretch but I feel we've got it in us to be the best of the current average bunch.

Strange that nothing was said as to why Tomkins wasn't binned for exactly the same thing !!

So you ll be wanting Cobb to ref every week now then cos he clearly loves Wiggin

Haven't you got a massive game against your local rivals Swinton to prepare for? This league is for the big boys, your opinion is irrelevant.

Every time people like you open your mouths, you make yourselves and your club look smaller.

At one time I'd have said that was impossible. But you guys never disappoint.

Oh look, its one of our poor brothers from that little part of Wigan that the council had forgotten existed.

Seven tries aside last night's game was pretty poor again for large parts, good job it was against a woeful Leeds!

First half penalties against killed us, when will we ever learn? Passes going to ground again during 'the move', players stood still receiving ball, daft decisions during key moments again...

So whilst it was a welcome two points I really do fear for Thursday. Traditionally a ground we struggle at but even more so as Cas are on fire.

A result there on Thursday would be massive.

We are horrendous to watch. That we have a month of away games is a blessing in disguise.

What worries me is that I can't remember the last time we scored a try that wasn't from either a kick or a barge over from within 10m. We don't seem able to break teams down as our passing and movement off the ball isn't good enough. I'm still clinging on to the hope it's all part of a master plan to prevent teams from working us out.

There were a couple of improvements I noticed yesterday. Sam slotted into dummy half a bit, when he was there the passing looked a bit sharper, also the occasions the ball went wide Leeds' defence was so focused in Sam that created space for others, our first try was an scamper of that. We looked good when we started to offload a bit too.

Although not impressed I'm content with the performance yesterday.

The fitter Sam gets the better, yesterday showed that once he steps into the line not only does it create more opportunities and threat it takes some of the pressure off Matty Smith which will help. We certainly looked better when he was in the line - and playing from FB lets him step into the line where the best situation is. Going forward it will give more attacking options which is badly needed. Though Williams looked sharper in attack as well, which will take time as he gets back into the swing of things. Some promising signs at last.

The biggest issue for me yesterday was the centres - both are reluctant to pass to their wingers - Gelling gets critisied for that but he passes a heck of a lot more than Sarge and Gildart (I can't remember the last time he made a decent pass to Charnley). That is an area which really does need some work. We have two of the best strike wingers but neither gets much chance.

Some good patches in the game but again not consistent.

Agree about taking pressure off Smith. We'll see Smith rushed by defences a lot less now we have the option of Tomkins kicking long too. So often this year we've started sets on the back front because it's plainly obvious Smith is going to kick and it's easy for defences to pressure him.

There was more urgency at the ptb and ST seemed to be cajoling and encouraging the players which was good to see.
Although Sutton dropped the ball a few times he did run with more aggression than of late which hopefully will continue.
Manfredi wasted on the wing at the moment.
Cas will be a big test as they can and do move the ball with pace which will highlight our weaknesses outside particularly Sarginson and Smith.

There was more urgency at the ptb and ST seemed to be cajoling and encouraging the players which was good to see.
Although Sutton dropped the ball a few times he did run with more aggression than of late which hopefully will continue.
Manfredi wasted on the wing at the moment.
Cas will be a big test as they can and do move the ball with pace which will highlight our weaknesses outside particularly Sarginson and Smith.

I think yesterday was a step in the right direction. With first teamers returning and getting match fit we're seeing improved performances. Many of the returning aren't yet fully match fit, but soon will be adding more to what we do, namely Sam Tomkins who on his day is the best attacking player in the league.

With this we still have some additional first teamers to add into the mix, Faz, Joel and Gelling to strengthen our performances.

Next week will be interesting. I actually don't expect a win, but it'll be a strong test against the form side which will help us understand where we need to be at, this should stand us in good stead for when we play them in the cup in a few weeks time.

Special mention to Ryan Sutton. Only young let ripping into the opposition with some strong carries. Think his tackle count was also strong should he put in a performance in def and attack.

A few times Sam was discussing play with Smith. That in itself shows that he's taking some control over things. Not only will it lift pressure off Smith but it'll also ease the pressure on, a still young and relatively inexperienced, Williams.

Coming away from the Hull game last week we discussed Gildart and as much as he's a fabulous young player he certainly needs to work on his passing game because it currently looks non existent. He has great feet and pace and he can make breaks and score trys with that but ultimately to be a top Centre you need to create for your wingman also.

I think Gildart will switch to the wing next year in Charnley's place. It's not like we're going to sign a winger is it?

i'd imagine the idea would be for him to replace Sarge in the centre.

And yet... although I share the reservations about Gildart's lacking of passing, despite the fact that he doesn't lack pace or footwork, I still see him as a centre rather than a winger.

Agreed. Time will tell if he's good enough for either position at Wigan.

Why?

If Wigan could somehow get a top centre and winger I have a suggestion for Gilldart which may seem a bit extreme.

Try him at standoff with Williams at scrum half with Sam at fullback, a lot of the great standoffs over the years have not been creative, but they all had good pace and a good step.

Its been mentioned on here that Gildart does not have a passing game but with Williams and Sam doing all the creative work Gildart could be used purely has a running halfback.

Think of the pace Wigan would have in the middle if that was to happen, but I don't think it will happen.

Why? Size, mostly. If you're not big and tall like Manfredi to be able to compete for those cross-kicks and win them, you're missing an important part of the modern winger's armoury. But he has the potential to be a good, Joel Moon-style centre.

Also, a passing game can come in time. Josh Dugan was an Origin player before he had any kind of passing game at all. Admittedly, he is a ball-carrying freak, but still...

Good point, I was going to say this.

He's still a young lad (has he even turned 20 yet?). His passing game is something that will improve over the coming seasons as he gains some experience. It takes a lot of confidence to throw balls out in the tackle (fear of losing the ball).

He's got the athleticism to be a good centre, the skill will come as he matures.