Manfredi is deceptively quick with his long legs ( à la Pat Richards but faster). I have watched back the run which led to the Bateman try and between just after the Wigan 20 metre line and half way he really motors once he has broken through a few tackles. He then slows down as the cover defence comes across. Allied to his huge strength he is really turning into a top winger.
Sarginson (for all his faults) was motoring as well and was at Manfredi's side by the half way line (indeed, Manfredi might well have passed inside to him). All this bodes very well for the coming months as the pitches firm up. If Charnley consistently maintains the pace and enthusiasm he did against Leeds, Wigan will have a back 3 to rank against any in Super League. And Sam is yet to return....
I wonder whether SW would ever countenance playing Sam at 6 (and dare I say it, play George at 7 and Smith as bench 9) or is it nailed on that Sam will return as full back?

It should be very interesting game tonight. It's fair to say we haven't been in sparkling form however the commitment, will to win and defence has been fantastic. I think it's only a matter of time before we blow someone away. That said I think last week will have taken a bit out of us as that was a huge effort to dominate Leeds like we did. The league table doesn't lie. Widnes have started the season very well and scored a lot of points in the process. They also don't have the injuries that we do. All things considered it could go either way tonight.

Well being totally honest I really dislike Wigan
BUT
I have to admire the fact that you're getting results and clearly aren't near your best form - with many top players to come back from injury.
The systems and structures in place are so well drilled that even if you don't play well - or you've guys missing - you can still win.
That's impressive, but also (for me) boring.

The match against Leeds was predictable and i didn't expect any other result.
Fair play to your guys - they are very athletic and physical.
I hate the way you've taken tacking - 3rd man in around the knees - but I fully expect to get people disagreeing with me and a fair bit of abuse. No problem.

Tonight I expect you to win, but will be supporting Widnes.
Your defence and their attack will nullify each other.
Your attack will overcome their defence.
Looking forward to it even so.

It's worth making the point that in the NRL, the source of everything good about RL according to many here, wingers are often required to make the hard yards out of defence; it isn't just some obsession of Wanes, Radradra, Nightingale, Vatuvei, etc etc do it all the time.

Yeah, that Sarginson can't pass at all, can he?

Well done Widnes, they were very good in attack and defence, and we weren't calm enough or sharp enough when we got our chances.

On the upside, I thought our centres were very good I could hear the crowd noise rise when Gildart got the ball, he is such a willing lad into the tackle, and so quick. Gelling worked his socks off as he always does. I wouldn't be too hard on Smith for missing touchline conversions, but he had a very poor game in open play. Lockers was just different class.

Smith's kicking game is abysmal. Both out of hand and from the kicking tee.

I think that's the worst game I've ever seen Smith have.