Wane has learned a lot from Madges coaching whilst his assistant but the better teams in the comp worked out how to play against us towards the end of last season. All Shaun has done this season is put a bit more fire in their bellies and believe in the jersey more. Again though when it mattered we have come up short, it is all about doing the right things at the right time, players being clever. I saw three players in the second half deep in our half running towards the flanks on the second and third tackle. This was after O'Loughlin got up when he was ankle tapped and tackled, he tried to play on but was bungled in to touch. Hansen putting the knees into the tackle in front of the referee, just crazy. No wonder Wane was kicking hell of the stand.

This is true too, it only serves to motivate the opposition and sets you up for a fall.

Are you for real?

This would be the front row that completely dominated Saints, Leeds and Catalans in succession with different personnel in May/June?

We don't need wholesale changes to the team and attacking structure. A bit of composure, a better kicking game and some more 'game smarts' and we'd have been in 2 finals.

I seem to remember us both discussing this around a month ago. I agree now as I did back then.

1. Lee Mossops attitude - his defence at times in the last 3 months has been shocking. If you constantly try to put big hit in like a billy big boots you need to make sure that you are succesful. He has appeared unwilling to bend his back in defence.

2. A plan B in attack rather than the same move time after time.

3. We need a dedicated kicking coach, or if we have one sack him. Briers and Sinfield have shown how effective a varied kicking game can be.

4. An end to Shaun Wanes repetetive pre and post match spouting that keep the tub thumpers happy but make most cringe and provide the opposition with things to pin up on the dressing room door.

5. A week on week strategy to ensure that the players are fit and firing at the right end of the season. Bitcon did wonders at the start of his reign with Maguire but we have not been 100% at seasons end for 2 years now and I wonder whether this has anything to do with the training, strength and conditioning strategy.

6. Discipline - Too many send offs and bans this year

Kicking game is a must. Leeds' tactics were just better than ours, they came with a well organised game plan, which worked. Sadly it was quite simple. Play field position and possession, don't let Wigan get into a position where they can attack and score.

How did they do this? Uses Sinfields excellent kicking game to pin us in our own half. Leeds knows we can't do anything with our kicks on the last tackle, so once we made our way up to the 40ish we kicked, often the wingers or fb could catch the ball on the full and keep us pinned in.

What baffled me is how we played into their hands with this, by putting an inexperienced FB v Sinfield and Smith (who's the only one who has something that resembles a kicking game) at 9. On the 5th he's be a dummy half rather than in a position to return a good kick.

Good post.

Mossop was slightly better in the SH last night but I think he has dropped off. Been saying this for weeks. IMO Fielden would have got in after his performance v Saints.
Everything else is pretty much spot on.

I agree with everything that has been said. For me the priorities are:

1. Kicking game on last tackle is atrocious. We would have done the double with a good kicker.

2. If Scott Taylor has signed great, but we need another experienced top class prop as well.

3. We need someone to replace Carmont. I don't think we will know how good he has been until we miss him.

4. MM is my favourite player but he needs to calm down a bit and we need another decent hooker to play some game time.

I think we're in the need of experience in the team. Ideally a prop, but we're looking at a young team for next season. Always good to have a mix of youngsters coming through, players in their prime, and experienced players for well... experience.

I also thought Waney commenting on the mcGuire disciplinary was very poor and would act as extra motivation for the Leeds team. Our coach needs to learn to keep it shut.

Wane is still a rookie in the role. Hopefully he's learnt from some of decisions in the media and as a coach. FWIW, I agree.