Lack of size and go forward in the forwards is frightening. Yes, we are missing a couple of forwards in Lockers and Flower, but Lockers may never ever be 100% again and Flower isn't massive. The contrast in size with the Leeds Saints and Warrington packs is startling. I am afraid there are serious doubts about IL's and Wane's recruitment policy. The lack of skill and numerous "schoolboy" errors are also shocking - and seem to be increasing rather than decreasing.
Is it a happy dressing room or are the players getting tired of Wane's methods?

Ben Currie is from Golborne, was at Wigan as a youngster, only went Wire at 16 IIRC

Recruitment is what this boils down to the erosion
of experienced players since 2011.
When was the last time we signed a decent player that i mean quality
Wane and lenegan are to blame

At 6-0 up what was the point of taking the two so early in the game? We struggle getting into the Leeds half unless we were gifted it. It was never going to be a low scoring game (our defence this year has been poor), had we run it and scored the 12-0 'could' have been interesting. What do we then do, drop the ball from the re-start and let them in straight away. We never seem to be switched on and I think the opposition teams know we get flustered easily as were a structured team. We'll get buried on Good Friday.

Agree. I stated last week that we are seiously missing a 'Craig Smith' type of prop.
IL needs to give those group of lads a hand and do it sooner than later.

At the moment I am of the mentality I hope we get buried every game as it may instigate change.

I've never seen such a poorly coached Wigan team in my memory. Wane is making Noble look good.

Last week was the first time in a good few years where I actually felt low coming away from the ground after a win. To me the players don't look happy playing for the club and that's half the battle.

What must IL or Rads be thinking? They must know there is something majorly wrong this season - some of it the aftermath of the Grand Final.

We either need at least a couple of forwards and the halves being sorted out - or a new coach.

I have mentioned Mr Edwards a couple of times in the past fortnight.....

Last week Wane went with 3 halves in the 17, Powell and Smith at halfback and Williams on the bench to spell MM and also to be able to mix it up at times as if they had 3 halves on the field.

This week Wigan started with 2 halves, no doubt Wane thought he needed 4 forwards on the bench, Conner Farrell came on for the last 18 mins.
I always thought that when you went with 4 forwards on the bench it was because all of them could be spelled at least once

Wane could not have made it more clearer that Hampshire will not start at standoff unless he is forced into it (like he was in the Hudds match when Williams broke down in the warm up).
I can understand what Rogues and others have said about protecting him by saying he is not ready for an extended run at standoff, but after the complete lack of understanding shown by the halfbacks tonight something has to happen. In there defence though they were not helped by a pack which seemed to be completely rudderless.

Hampshire has got to be given a chance because Williams and Smith seem to play like complete strangers, if Wigan are not carful not only Hampshire but Williams as well will become so disjointed, that what promised to be the prospect of a glittering halfback partnership for years to come could be destroyed.

Hampshire has started 11 matches , 9 of them have been at fullback and only 2 at standoff and one of those at standoff was when he was a late replacement for Williams in the Hudds match.

Spot on.

ATEOTD we obviously in desperate need of an attacking option at 6. Hampshire is the only option in the squad (Wane & IL fault) so there's not very many options other than to play him.

I've already argued on another topic that it's bad for his & Williams development to keep being switched and jolted around like they are.

Williams needs to be given a good run in the side to settle into the role. Neither half back is being helped by the fact that we are struggling to make yards thus playing the majority of the game in our own half. They aren't helped either by the failure/reluctance of Bowen to link up with them in attack or step up as a 3rd pivot like Tomkins used to.

We are making it too easy for sides to get to the halves, we really do need some of the big men to step up to the plate.

You're looking to blame the wrong area of your team. Your forwards are soft and error prone (with and without ball).

Never thought I'd say that about a Wigan team a couple of years ago

Some quick thoughts as reading this site is fairly depressing atm

- McIlorum is really poor in attack this season, creating nothing. Logan was much more lively when he came on
- Mossop yet again showing just how inconsistent he is
- Discipline is still a disgrace, we have learnt nothing from the start of the season
- Williams and Smith combo will never work. George looks way more comfortable at 9
- Manfredi played well and kept Hall very quiet
- Handling is the worst I've ever seen it. We can't even do basic shift plays without at least 2 or 3 passes going behind/ahead of the next man or to ground
- Bateman has been far too quiet at loose

Wane finally admitting in the post-match interview that we gave away too many penalties.

Its not just the halves

totally lacking in any leadership. Its like there is an eerie silence befalls our players when we have ball in hand. No structure because its 13 individuals, just going through the motions.

Someone needs to start talking to the players and taking charge whilst on the pitch. Its all very well trying to lead by example, but you fall on your backside if no one looks like they can be bothered.

Williams looks totally out of his depth to me (and i dont think i have ever slated a young player on here), Smith looks like he is trying hard, but spends the whole game in his shell.

MM is just a passenger at the moment. He is cack going forward and his defense is labored and lacks any aggression. Thought Logan was our best player tonight.

JT was so so and Faz was absolutely pot. Has been terrible all year now.

Fair play to Budgie though, he looked a lot steadier. Dom M was not to shabby either.

its not good atm eh?

Williams, though, is not a 6!! He is a scrum half - preferably with Hampshire at 6.
The question is where does that leave Matty Smith. Bench 9 to spell MM if that is needed?
The problem with Conor Farrell is he isn't big enough - which is probably why Wane didn't put him on earlier.
Wigan might supposedly have a first team squad of 35 as keeps being mentioned, but where is there any size or power, particularly if a few players ( Flower and Lockers) are missing?
The problem may be that Wane is "too close" to the players he brought through the academy and junior teams - as Jonh has said, playing in a successful academy team should not guarantee your succession into the first team. Wigan have been crying out for a couple of big forwards for over a year - most teams seem to have several Antipodeans who are naturally bigger than most British players. Hence the shortcomings of the policy of mostly home grown/Wigan born players, when applied particularly to the forwards.
Cunningham and Long seem to have got it right at Saints - even the back row forwards are big units, including the young British lads.