Smith will only improve if we bring in a specialist halves coach like Andrew Johns at Warrington. He's clearly deteriorated since Deacon left Wigan and the club have failed to replace him. No longer worthy of the cherry and white.

Tonight was the first time I started to think we should be considering a Tomkins/Williams partnership when they both recover.

No way around it - that was a desperately poor performance for a Wigan 7. In all areas- passing, kicking, running, defence and leadership.

I would have settled for Smith putting in a decent last tackle kick in the second half, letting Wire start the set from their 20. I'm sure he threw a long looping pass to a forward (who had to kick it) on the last tackle four or five sets in a row. We were chasing the game and had half a chance to get a result and he looked to completely lose his composure...unless he was injured and didn't feel he could kick!

I've been a fan of Smith for a while, but he needs to get back to basics. Forget game management and leading the team round the park, he needs to focus on finding the man with the pass and putting a decent kick in at the end of a set. It's a worry that this is aimed at one of our most senior players and not a young lad!

We are so flat and very few runners which gives a Smith very few options. He also appears to be very close to the ruck on all ptb situations which again limits our options.
A new 7 wouldn't fix everything but for me is part of the rebuilding required.
We have no shape and devoid of any flair which unfortunately has to be attributed to Smith and/or the coaching.
Tonight was no different since Green left so for me a new 6&7 combination is a must but won't happen this season as ST I think will revert to FB.

I'd happy to ignore those who say Sarge can't pass, and give him a go in the halves. Tierney will do the job at f-b. Really, this can't go on all season, can it? BTW I was very impressed with Gregson; thought he showed some great touches and put in a good shift, and the other lads were fine as well.

You're having a laugh, Smith wouldn't get a game at Pats. If we had JT we would not have been beaten this season.

Green made him looked good. Even behind a dominant pack he is very poor.

Does anyone think he's carrying an injury? Or low on confidence? I think both to be honest and I think if we have Sam/Williams/Micky Mac and Lockers injured we definitely can't afford to rest Smith if he is injured.

In the other hand he could be low on confidence due to those players missing, he may have a slight injury therefore isn't playing his best rugby or kicking at his best and being slated on here.

I agree, Andy Gregory he is not but then again he's miles better than Moran.

Once we have a full team back with the threat of Williams and Sam taking the line on he may get back to his best. He does need to shape up because watching him last night he looked like a passenger and totally lacked a kicking/organising game. He does need to shape up and I'm confident that he has the ability to do so, he just needs to step it up a bit in the effort department.

All is not lost, he just needs to apply himself more.

I have been very critical of Sarginson due to his poor passing however, in the last few games he does seem to be trying and to be fair without his energy and go forward we would be much worse in attack.
Wakefield will not be a pushover at the moment particularly with our blunt attack. I hope Bateman is back for that one.

Wane has confirmed Bateman and Flower as being back for Waley and potentially Dom Crosby.

They'll be much needed.

Having Flower back will be a bonus.
Any news on Williams?