Big Steve:

I thought we started well with far more movement and intent to run the ball out from our half, we made it harder to defend instead of using the dull 1 out carries we've had recently.  We were far more aggressive in defence.   It's usually a good indicator when we start like this that our attitude is good and we're likely to win........


But, I thought both Liam and Abbas looked like they were at 80% and still nowhere near fitness.    It would have been interesting to see what Wade could have made of those chances out wide in the first half - but i think he would have struggled with the carries off our line - on balance probably the wrong game to make his debut.   


As others mentioned, we seemed to lack some support play when we did make breaks  - it' was almost as though it wasn't in the game plan to make breaks from our half so the other edge were still expecting a defensive play.


Which leads me onto the 2nd half........ we went back into our shells and reverted back to playing non attacking rugby with the same predictable last play from Smith the the high kick into the corner.   I don't understand why we continue to use the same tactics Huddersfield used against us in the CC final at Spurs.    I know Peet's strategy is to work hard, tire the opposition and put on points later  - but I'm pretty sure the only attacking move we put on in the 2nd half was in the final 5 minutes when Field made a half break on the LHS.     


We have the players in Field, Junior, Wardle, Marshall, Farrimond, Mago and Smith to open teams up on the outside or inside yet this season we have very rarely shown the desire to even try - apart from the Vegas game when we clearly went there with the intention to entertain and attack.  Why are we continually leaving it so late to start even thinking about attacking - doesn't really make sense when we have so many strike players and we are making it easy for fit teams to defend against us.   We can no longer rely on being the fittest team to stay in the grind and bank on scoring tries in the last 10 mins.


Still confident in Peet but I do feel we need to tweak our game plan.

moto748:

Did Saints go through a mid-season slump during their period of dominance?

Stu M:



Not a sustained run of games no. I remember Salford putting over 40 on us July 2022 but I can’t remember a slump as such. Obviously we lost games and the odd one by a few points but we always responded quickly.

A Wigan win would’ve benefited Saints last night as we’d be above Leigh now had you won but as much as it’s nice to see Wigan lose it suited us for you to win.


I thought it was a great game to be honest. Have to say that teams obviously miss their best player but Wigan genuinely look very very different without French. I’m not so sure there’s another team in the league that drops off as much losing their best player. 


I still think you’ll beat HKR in the Final so nothing has changed there but you are so much better with French than without. So much better. 


Nb not trying to turn this into a Saints thread (I’m aware there’s a thread for that) but I don’t think it’s going to be too many years before Harry Robertson is talked about in a similar vein. 


This kid is special, playing out of position and still doing well. His footwork is sublime. 

Simba16:



Not disagreeing as such but in the last couple of seasons we have also used this period to rest players and to bring on youngsters - IIRC v Hull we had Nsemba and Eckesley, this season we are close to full strength and still looking poor. I get that we have a couple carrying injuries this year.

Zig:



The problem is that our forwards are getting bullied, they need to stand up and be counted.

EVO105:

You also looked unfit.

NickyKiss:



There's a difference between an unfit side and a side with a few players carrying knocks. Miski, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall and Nsemba were all either doubts going in to the game because they were carrying issues or they were hurt during the game. Outside of Mago and Dupree, there won't be many fitter sides than this Wigan team. 

RugbyEgg:

Leigh fan,


Keighan was the only player who impressed me from a pie eater point of view.


Marshall and Miski looked unfit.


really worried about the Wigan forward pack not dominating especially with the under strengthen leigh bench, which is usually our downfall, especially without our best forward in Mulhern.


Unfair critics of H.Smith IMO yes he was poor on Friday, but as A leigh lad Farrimond does not get his hands on the ball enough or organise anything as a good half back should be doing, yes he looks a threat in open play as most youngsters do but as a half back who organises plays and gets your team around the field i just don't see it yet, I'm no doubt he will get there and be one of the best but ATM he looks miles off it in this area of his game, these things get masked at Wigan usually due to quality players around them enhancing there development and winning games.


French returns and i still think Wigan win the GF.