We struggled for territory again, which seems to be inevitable when Lam goes for his 3 loose forwards approach to team selection. In terms of being dominated territorially it was similar to the Leeds game but there are some crucial differences.

Leeds played an almost flawless game where they made few errors, put us under unrelenting pressure with good last tackles options and wore us down throughout the game. Wire's last tackle options weren't great, they fluffed opportunities and failed to make the most of their dominance. Our defence was good tonight but I don't think it was horrendous against Leeds. Wire let us off the hook at times.

The second half showed what we have to do when we're lacking the hard yards up the middle. We attacked from deep and that seems to be how we threaten teams the most. We bliitzed a big Catalans pack away from home in that way and we beat Leeds in the Super League game in that way too. Soak up the pressure and be willing to go wide to our backs. The conditions meant we weren't trying that in the cup semi final but tonight in the second half we did and it helped us win a close game.

The forced reshuffle meant Lam's most important tactical decision was probably forced on him rather than something he'd do with a fully fit squad. Farrell showed his value to the team as a left sided back rower. He's good throughout games but the longer the game goes on the more dangerous he gets because his fitness levels are outstanding. He's so good at getting late tries and that's because he tends to have more left in the tank late on that his opposite numbers. We've got to keep Faz on that edge rather than wasting him in the middle of the field where he's less effective.

Partington hit on Austin was a beauty and he went missing after that.

Considering it was his first game in 6 months Singleton had a very good debut.

Our attack when Smith and Lockers came on for the last 20 was class, totally changed the game. We started throwing all kinds of shapes at wire and waited for them to crack.

Letting Warrington march down the field ever set and offload 34 times is a BIG worry. Luckily they have two of the most overrated half backs in super league who couldn’t create anything.

We need to improve.

Karl Fitzpatrick; “We played Wigan four times in 2019 and beat them three times and it was very disappointing that we didn’t beat them four times. I expect us to complete a clean sweep against them this year with our recruitment and the quality of our squad.”

That’s the reason we won there - the HB’s. If they’re on form and playing like they can, we lose. Probably quite comfortably too. I can’t emphasise enough the importance of that hit on Austin from Oli. It took him out the game completely at a time when Wire were getting stronger. Widdop then made inexcusable errors trying to do too much and Wire just collapsed completely.

Joe did big minutes against Leeds hence he probably got fatigued tonight. At lease he has got some punch.

When Faz scored was Austin on the deck holding his leg, neck, arm or foot? One thing was sure he wasn't making a tackle. Partington's tackle knocked the stuffing out of him.

Where was that Wolf tonight?

Sack Terry, Baz and Phil and get Brown in with Wilkin.

What a good idea!
Funnily enough, a friend texted me during the game and said that Brown should replace O’Connor.
We also agree that Wilkin is excellent.

I don’t think Clarke’s too bad though. At least he speaks English.

Somebody said upthread, was the game that good? Well I've been away, and had the Wigan game and Raiders/Roosters recorded, and I must admit, I watched the Raiders first; I'd been really looking forward to seeing GW against the Roosters, and he and his team didn't disappoint! Then watching the Wigan game, I thought it was a well above-average SL encounter. Warrington should have won, Ratchford was excellent as usual, but they didn't make the most of their chances. I was impressed with Singleton too, a very good effort, and hopefully he will only improve further. Bullock too put in a good shift. But again, the lack of game plan, still poor last tackles options, and Smith surely introduced late. Luckily today, not too late. That pin-point kick he landed in the in-goal by the corner flag; all Bibby had to do was make the tackle, and he couldn't do it, and Charnley came away with the ball; it deserved better. Faz a machine as usual, let's keep him in his proper position.

Anyone got the stats for Brad Singleton last night?

Singleton played like Coley used to, hard work, direct and always wanted the ball,just a no nonsense approach. It's a shame we can't lose Clubb as well as Flower at the end of this season, we really don't need either. Burgess is another matter, we all hope he gets fit and probably most important for him is some confidence in his own body, to really be the explosive player he's known for.

Another thing about last night. The Hardaker break. I think one of the correct decisions Lam has made is putting him at centre. He is a strong lad who tackles well (although doesn't give Manfredi much ball) but 2 or 3 years ago Zak was away and gone with that break and not for catching.

not many caught him then, Charnley is rapid and would have caught Hardaker all day long, French didnt get to him and Bibby looked like he was running in mud

Bibby is really frustrating. I honestly think there is a good player their and he showed it for Salford. Last night he had some shockers. Stick him back to centre and we’ll get a better output. He really needs to learn not to shoot the line when defending. Budge was murder for that at one point, that trait seems to have been coached out of him.