The fitter Sam gets the better, yesterday showed that once he steps into the line not only does it create more opportunities and threat it takes some of the pressure off Matty Smith which will help. We certainly looked better when he was in the line - and playing from FB lets him step into the line where the best situation is. Going forward it will give more attacking options which is badly needed. Though Williams looked sharper in attack as well, which will take time as he gets back into the swing of things. Some promising signs at last.

The biggest issue for me yesterday was the centres - both are reluctant to pass to their wingers - Gelling gets critisied for that but he passes a heck of a lot more than Sarge and Gildart (I can't remember the last time he made a decent pass to Charnley). That is an area which really does need some work. We have two of the best strike wingers but neither gets much chance.

Some good patches in the game but again not consistent.

Agree about taking pressure off Smith. We'll see Smith rushed by defences a lot less now we have the option of Tomkins kicking long too. So often this year we've started sets on the back front because it's plainly obvious Smith is going to kick and it's easy for defences to pressure him.

There was more urgency at the ptb and ST seemed to be cajoling and encouraging the players which was good to see.
Although Sutton dropped the ball a few times he did run with more aggression than of late which hopefully will continue.
Manfredi wasted on the wing at the moment.
Cas will be a big test as they can and do move the ball with pace which will highlight our weaknesses outside particularly Sarginson and Smith.

There was more urgency at the ptb and ST seemed to be cajoling and encouraging the players which was good to see.
Although Sutton dropped the ball a few times he did run with more aggression than of late which hopefully will continue.
Manfredi wasted on the wing at the moment.
Cas will be a big test as they can and do move the ball with pace which will highlight our weaknesses outside particularly Sarginson and Smith.

I think yesterday was a step in the right direction. With first teamers returning and getting match fit we're seeing improved performances. Many of the returning aren't yet fully match fit, but soon will be adding more to what we do, namely Sam Tomkins who on his day is the best attacking player in the league.

With this we still have some additional first teamers to add into the mix, Faz, Joel and Gelling to strengthen our performances.

Next week will be interesting. I actually don't expect a win, but it'll be a strong test against the form side which will help us understand where we need to be at, this should stand us in good stead for when we play them in the cup in a few weeks time.

Special mention to Ryan Sutton. Only young let ripping into the opposition with some strong carries. Think his tackle count was also strong should he put in a performance in def and attack.

A few times Sam was discussing play with Smith. That in itself shows that he's taking some control over things. Not only will it lift pressure off Smith but it'll also ease the pressure on, a still young and relatively inexperienced, Williams.

Coming away from the Hull game last week we discussed Gildart and as much as he's a fabulous young player he certainly needs to work on his passing game because it currently looks non existent. He has great feet and pace and he can make breaks and score trys with that but ultimately to be a top Centre you need to create for your wingman also.

I think Gildart will switch to the wing next year in Charnley's place. It's not like we're going to sign a winger is it?

i'd imagine the idea would be for him to replace Sarge in the centre.

And yet... although I share the reservations about Gildart's lacking of passing, despite the fact that he doesn't lack pace or footwork, I still see him as a centre rather than a winger.

Agreed. Time will tell if he's good enough for either position at Wigan.

Why?

If Wigan could somehow get a top centre and winger I have a suggestion for Gilldart which may seem a bit extreme.

Try him at standoff with Williams at scrum half with Sam at fullback, a lot of the great standoffs over the years have not been creative, but they all had good pace and a good step.

Its been mentioned on here that Gildart does not have a passing game but with Williams and Sam doing all the creative work Gildart could be used purely has a running halfback.

Think of the pace Wigan would have in the middle if that was to happen, but I don't think it will happen.

Why? Size, mostly. If you're not big and tall like Manfredi to be able to compete for those cross-kicks and win them, you're missing an important part of the modern winger's armoury. But he has the potential to be a good, Joel Moon-style centre.

Also, a passing game can come in time. Josh Dugan was an Origin player before he had any kind of passing game at all. Admittedly, he is a ball-carrying freak, but still...

Good point, I was going to say this.

He's still a young lad (has he even turned 20 yet?). His passing game is something that will improve over the coming seasons as he gains some experience. It takes a lot of confidence to throw balls out in the tackle (fear of losing the ball).

He's got the athleticism to be a good centre, the skill will come as he matures.

As a side note, it's looking like a good weekend for us so far. Saints getting smashed so we'll stay in the 4. And we could well end the day joint top if Hull KR turn up.

Not bad for a totally team.

He played wing earlier in the season and excelled under the high ball.

And ask any Leeds fan, Moon hardly ever passes to Hall.

Yeah, that was kinda what I meant...



But Moon does score tries himself, and if he has to take some of the blame for Hall's ordinary form, from a Leeds fan's point of view...

Yes, isn't it! Really enjoyed seeing Wakey turn over the Cats, and wasn't surprised to see the Giants beat Saints. The margin was a lot more comfortable than I expected, though.

KC OUT?

Anyone catch Maguire laughing and joking with Matty Smith after the final hooter? Roll back to 2006 when we were rock bottom I would have been livid if I'd seen any of the Wigan players in this kind of mood after getting walloped..!!

To be fair people tend to criticise centres for not passing even when there's nothing on and it would just be a pass for the sake of passing. If it's 2 on 2 there's not really a reason to pass until you can draw the man. I've lost count of the number of times I've heard fans around me complaining because a centre didn't pass when it was a 2 on 2 situation. We've been very poor at creating space for our outside backs this year so it's little wonder that our wingers are seeing less of the ball. Manfredi gets some good opportunities because Gelling has the size and skill to create something from nothing. Gildart relies on his pace and his ability to draw the man but he won't really attract the winger if he has little space to run with the ball.

Even if he is being a little too cautious at the moment, it's more than likely just a phase. His passing was fine when he played last year. In fact it's one of the reasons why people were describing him as a natural centre. Sometimes a little dip in confidence or a bit of added pressure can have a noticeable effect. I'm pretty confident that if the attack can start firing again like it has done in the past then Gildart will be fine.

I agree that people do tend to want centres to just be passing machines and they'll judge far too quickly when lads don't ship the ball at every opportunity. A lot of people really rated Darrell Goulding because he was seen as being a wingers Centre but maybe he passed because he didn't have the running game to trouble teams?! He was nowhere near as threatening as Gildart with the ball in hand and he had Sam Tomkins helping make space for him.

I'm a huge Gildart fan and he definitely has the talent to go on and become top class. His passing game needs work but it's certainly more of an observation then a criticism.

Im sure Gildart will be fine if the coaches realise what we in the stand can see,hes devolped this little issue that needs a bit of working on and he'll be reet.

I have only seen the highlights due to being on a family holiday, apart from the score what were the positives?

Definitely not! KC is doing a fantastic job from my point of view.