I was annoyed with Isa last night as well, good defensively as always but he really needs to start contributing in attack. There were a couple of occasions in the second half we had an overlap on but all he knows to do is run it in and take the tackle, so frustrating because with his physical attributes he could be a top back rower in this league if he hadn't any semblance of an attacking brain.

Since his return from union he simply hasn't been anywhere near his best,decent this season though in fairness but in a squad that's blighted by injuries can the club seriously re sign a player bedevilled by his own injury problems?.

It's an odd one,unless of course this is if and when Wigan have 18 players fit (prolly 2033)he will start towards an off field career as mentioned in the press release.

I think the thing with Joel is when (and if) we ever get close to a fully fit team he would be used as an impact player off the bench against tiring defenses. Last night he was alternatively playing second row, stand-off and even hooker plus was on the pitch for a lot longer than he would otherwise, yes he made some mistakes - he was far from the only one.

What last night showed clearly

Williams needs an organising scrum half along side him - he was poor last night due to trying to do everything - if anyone doubts what Tommy L brings to the team last night showed it in William's performance,

We missed props FPN was ineffective, Sutton up and down, TT was our best by a country mile.

Lockers is still the best LF in SL (tried too hard but still made most of our tries).

McIlorum needs to concentrate on playing rather than trying to be the defensive enforcer - he could have been done for at least 2 shoulder charges and tended to fly out of the line way too much - we missed Powell.

Marshall is a natural winger,.

I'd agree with all of that.

What happened to Josh Woods? Was it serious? Was pleased that SW was bold enough to have him alongside George; the lad looks to have a good kicking game. Which we need as George still only has a short kicking game.

We need to put it into some perspective. We started last night without our first choice fullback (Tomkins) and our first choice reserve full back (Escare). We started without one of our first choice wingers (Manfredi) and our other first choice winger playing out of position in the centres (Burgess). We started without our first choice scrum half (Leuluai) and our first and second choice reserve scrum halves (Powell and Shorrocks). Our 4th choice scrum half (Woods) went off early due to injury. We started without two of our best props (Flower and Clubb) and without one of the best second rowers on the league (Bateman).

Despite all of that and playing with 3 subs for most of the game we almost came away with a win. I'd say quite confidently that with a few of the above in the side, Lockers and Tomkins performance would have been even better but they seemed to take on all of the responsibility and were only guilty of trying too hard. It was even Lockers bomb that led to our last try!

The young lads have done the club and their families proud but it's too soon to expect so many of them to play together and expect to beat a Warrington side who might not be on fire but who had won 6 out of their last 7 games, compared to 3 wins from our last 9.

To scapegoat Joel Tomkins for not getting the win last night is laughable! Big picture please folks!!

I've thought it for a while, but what the squad is really missing (even when everyone is fit) is a top level prop who can do big mins.

We soaked up a hell of a lot of pressure and a top prop really comes to the fore in situations like that wirh big metres.

Fully agree. We've been down to the bare bones in the squad, we are starting (hopefully) to see some of the senior players return week by week. Judge Joel in a strong line-up.

I would be good in a strong line up, there are plenty places to hide...

It's about doing your own job well. In a strong line up players like Lockers and Joel can focus on doing their own job to a high standard instead of having to take on a role that others should be doing. Joel is not a stand off but his qualitiy means he can fill in and cover to an acceptable standard. Same with Lockers who is simply the best player in the league when he's fit. The man can do everything there is to do on a rugby field!

Spot on. I'm a massive believer in the 'do your job' approach as it helps focus everyone. Having to ask players to do a bit of everything is a recipe for disaster.

I think he is one of our best players and a great
athlete. Just my opinion.

Correct! Clearly you have a good understanding of rugby league!!

Ratchford and Williams, just saying like

I'm excited by the prospect of Shorrocks and Williams to be honest. I just hope Shorrocks can make a good recovery from his current injury.

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