Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:52 pm  

Madderzahatter wrote:

One thing I remember Andrew Johns saying during a TV commentary (State Of Origin, I think) was that it's not always what the guys with the ball are doing that's important, but the guys who don't have it. How hard are the dummy runners running? Are they busting a gut to ask questions and getting defenders make wrong decisions? IMO that's been absent from our rugby for a couple of years.

Cas last year were all surging forwards, giving their halves options and confusing defences. Yes their play was quite structured, but it wasn't one-dimensional. Our style was too predictable whether it was the one-up rugby from the forwards or the pass out wide where Tomkins slots into the line. Far too often we looked clueless and lacking direction and now Tomkins, Escare, Williams and TL are all fit, I expect (and demand) that our play improves.

I'd agree with this.

When we were at our best attack wise we still had the same structures that we use now. The difference was the option runners were running hard and looked like they may receive the ball.

Last year, the runners were still there, but they were very lethargic and relaxed, almost like in a training game. Our option running players knew the ball wasn't coming to them, and the opposition knew that as well. It was all so predictable. And thats the problem, it is possible to play with structure, without being completely predictable, but the option runners have to at least put themselves in positions and look like they are going to receive the ball.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jan 15, 2018 6:52 pm  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

Sorry I don't follow. Do you mean the issue is the play the ball and distribution from the dummy half (9)?

No, I mean that we are not creative enough to do anything with the ball when we have it. At the start of last season everything clicked until the horrible run of injuries. We all looked forward to getting bodies back but the magic did not return.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:49 pm  

Still no squad numbers. I honestly don’t get why it’s taking so long?????

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jan 15, 2018 8:21 pm  

Perhaps some senior player (s) or other don't want to change their position and squad number.
They can be difficult at times I've been led to believe.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jan 15, 2018 8:49 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

Perhaps some senior player (s) or other don't want to change their position and squad number.
They can be difficult at times I've been led to believe.

If that is the case that is still no excuse for holding back the squad numbers. After all who runs the team Wane or the players.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jan 15, 2018 11:42 pm  

I bet the club have lost a few quid on shirt printing over Christmas. People will be a lot more likely to buy it at the same time as the shirt than to come back later

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jan 16, 2018 7:36 am  

You’d have thought they’d be released after the Gelling and McIlorum exits were announced so to think they’re still not makes you wonder if they’re still trying to tinker with the squad a little. It’s either that or Wane just wants to keep his cards close to his chest in regards to who’ll have the 1,6,7 and 9 shirts.

Whatever the case may be it’ll be interesting to see how we line up at Leigh on Sunday.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jan 16, 2018 9:11 am  

Levrier wrote:

No, I mean that we are not creative enough to do anything with the ball when we have it. At the start of last season everything clicked until the horrible run of injuries. We all looked forward to getting bodies back but the magic did not return.

I think that's a different discussion to 'how our props play'. However, I do actually think one move Wigan have made is to address the issues of the dummy half, we've offloaded Micky and moved our 7 to 9.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jan 16, 2018 1:11 pm  

not only that, the Fantasy SL is delayed too!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jan 16, 2018 4:19 pm  

Wigg'n wrote:

Still no squad numbers. I honestly don’t get why it’s taking so long?????

Then again why should it matter? We are always being told shirt numbers are irrelavent because the best trainer/player for a position will get the nod.