Re: Our "forwards" : Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:14 pm  

We died that night at Old Trafford when Flower gave the game up. Our forwards are in a rut! They can't keep their discipline but are too scared to really let rip in to other sets for fear of getting penned.

As a collective group of props they should feel embarrassed tonight lead by Lee 'I've been back to my best these past four weeks' Mossop!!

Re: Our "forwards" : Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:17 pm  

TauTai was abysmal for you guys today, I had doubts as to whether the guy didn't have a concussion because he dropped everything that came his way after he came back on.

Re: Our "forwards" : Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:22 pm  

WireWireWire wrote:

TauTai was abysmal for you guys today, I had doubts as to whether the guy didn't have a concussion because he dropped everything that came his way after he came back on.

He did! He makes the same errors every game!

Re: Our "forwards" : Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:31 pm  

The Tautai issue is quite simple. 2 strong yard making diminant Props combined with him and Flower is a balenced front row.

Ask him to do the hard yards off no go forward and no momentum you get what we are seeing now. Tautai feeds off quick play the balls and adds to the roll on teams get. He is not the player to charge into a set defensive line as, and this is becoming a theme, he lacks the size to do so.

Re: Our "forwards" : Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:35 pm  

To be fair though as long as we have wingers and centres to win the collision and make huge meters we will be ok........

Re: Our "forwards" : Thu Jul 02, 2015 9:45 pm  

One of the most basic elements of the game is having a strong pack, 'props win pots'.

Wigan need a massive back to basics reality check.
As boring as it is I would really strip down what we do, for example:

-Pack needs to take the ball up making the hard yards getting the team out of danger into key field position.
-Halves to put in attacking kicks not defensive clearance kicks pinning the opposition in their own half with a strong kick chase.
-Force the opposition kicks to be defensive clearances.
-Only try to put on fast attacking play moving the ball out wide when in key positions on the pitch, taking the ball to the game line forcing the opposition into committing drawing men in.

In defensive no mistakes, don't push your luck with the ref with lying on or niggling in the tackles and always be back in line with the ref; don't give anyway field position cheaply.

Currently we're forcing the play trying to sent the ball through the backs in our own half putting so much pressure on ourselves coming up with silly errors, panicking then making more errors.

Re: Our "forwards" : Fri Jul 03, 2015 8:09 am  

It's all so frustrating, but who to blame? Is it the pack's fault, the coach's, or both?

Re: Our "forwards" : Fri Jul 03, 2015 11:22 am  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

It's all so frustrating, but who to blame? Is it the pack's fault, the coach's, or both?

One thing that struck me last night was the performance of Sims. He demanded the ball twice every set and put himself in the position to receive the ball.

Now, he struggled at first and people were starting to say that he was the worst of the three brothers, and that he was another Asotasi etc. But what he has done, through sheer effort and will, is make himself a leader. You can see it quite clearly now.

I understand people who want to blame Waney, but my finger is pointed firmly in the direction of the players. Have some pride in the shirt and do what Sims has done.

Re: Our "forwards" : Fri Jul 03, 2015 11:45 am  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

It's all so frustrating, but who to blame? Is it the pack's fault, the coach's, or both?

I would put the blame fairly at the door of the players, coaches do not control how players can keep dropping the ball or making stupid mistakes - effort/aggression/determination comes from players and it is something that seems to have gone missing from quite a few as the season has gone on.

For the first time in along time I was seriously questioning the effort last night and the worthiness of some players to wear the shirt - it is looking increasingly like a damn good clear out is needed if performances do not improve. Whatever this costs in financial terms.

Other teams have always upped their performances against Wigan - has been the case for a long time but this current Wigan team seem to have no second gear to lift themselves to - too much one paced forward play is helping no one.

Part of blame must go to the club/coaching staff - poor recruitment has hurt the club, signing or bring back players on sentiment is not a recipe for success. The club is crying out for the recruitment of a top class prop pack leader - something that has been missing for some time now.

Re: Our "forwards" : Fri Jul 03, 2015 11:56 am  

Aboveusonlypie wrote:

One thing that struck me last night was the performance of Sims. He demanded the ball twice every set and put himself in the position to receive the ball.

Now, he struggled at first and people were starting to say that he was the worst of the three brothers, and that he was another Asotasi etc. But what he has done, through sheer effort and will, is make himself a leader. You can see it quite clearly now.

I understand people who want to blame Waney, but my finger is pointed firmly in the direction of the players. Have some pride in the shirt and do what Sims has done.

Sad thing is that Sims is absolute crap. Cheap shot after cheap shot, but he was certainly the boss last night.