Simple formula to win games, we need to ship the ball wider with less passes to get to the edges. The difference in that last 10 mins was ridiculous. Smith and Cust is just not working. We don’t get on the outside if Field isn’t there and spent half the game with plenty field position and useless starting halfbacks who had no clue what they were doing. Thankfully our 2 best attacking players got the job done.

I think realistically the main issue is just workrate. Jonh mentioned the lack of push around Faz and it’s clear as day. There’s a lack of intensity in defence and a lack of intensity in taking the ball up and moving off the ball. We were so lazy under Lammy in terms of off the ball movement and we look to be back at that point currently. Even on the winning score, Smith gets the ball in the middle of the field and there is just nothing around him. Nobody is pushing either side of him and he then throws it wider and Field manages to induce some panic.

Was he really great? I’ve always just thought he was decent, with the hope he’ll go in the right way but he’s gone backwards. I look at a half and go through the tick list and see how they stack up. In terms of Cust- Organiser? Not that we’ve seen. Good passer? No, not really. Good kicking game? Not that I know of. Dangerous Runner? Not particularly. Good defender? Absolutely not. Good lad? Seems it.

That might be harsh but I think it’s about right. I like the lad, I think he’s an ok player but Manly had it about right with using him as a back up 6 or 9. Are Manly that much better than us? I don’t think they are in truth.

Agree with this.

I saw this earlier and, obviously it's with hindsight, but Peet proved his worth tonight.

Peet made a real tactical change to the team and it came off. That's what you want from the coach. Compare it to Lam and we'd probably would have just accepted it wasn't our night.

Obviously hooking off Cust will be the main talking point, but just as important imo was him keeping O'Neill on, at the same time as Powell. Wooked much better with a ball player at 13.

We're far too over reliant on French and Field.

Agree with the comments on Cust. Initially, he looked a really good player - but definitely more threatening at 9. He just looks absolutely battered since his elbow injuries.

I'd like to see a run of O'Neill at 9, Powell at 13 interchanging with Cust and French/Field alternating at 6 and 1

Cust was horrendous. Two poor passes, a lost ball and nothing else. At least Peet made the right call to hook him but this surely has to be the trigger to moving Bevan to full back - we looked far more threatening when we switched.

Fair play to Wigan for finding a way to win but it was a pretty hideous 70 minutes. Plenty of ammunition for those saying it's an average team with two superstars.

I actually think he'd make a decent 9, but that won't be at Wigan.

I spoke earlier in the week about how replacing Singo should be an easy "win" for us in 2024. I think we can probably add replacing Cust and Mago as two other straightforward, quick wins too.

You saw by the substitutions today that Peet rates Singleton.

Game needed closing out and brought him on.

Cust and Mago can go for me, Singleton is a valuable squad player though

What does that even mean? Have you had a few beers or something?

Let's be really clear about what I'm looking for when it comes to Wigan - it's to be the best RL side in the world. I want to see us go over to Aus, like Saints have just done and beat the best of the best. After that I want to be dominating SL. We won't do that with Singleton playing in the majority of our games. We've got enough bodies, we now need to sign some proven talent.

Substitutions not sunshine.

Peet put Singleton on at a crucial time when the game needed closing out as he knows he can do a job (one you admit you don’t understand).

We cannot sign a team full of superstars due to the cap and finances…we need grafters like Singleton.

Proven talent like?

“Islanders”? Atoni?

This got levelled at us last year I think unfairly but this year it really is the case.

Farrell is our only good consistent forward. The 6 middles are all much of a muchness pretty solid in defence, make about 6 metres a carry, never break a tackle never offload (Fair play to Ellis creating a bit tonight).


I’ve wanted this for the past 12 months but there can be no debate now. French has to play 1 and Field 6. They are our 2 best players and we need them around the action at all times. French barely getting a touches for 5/10 minute spells last week and this week on the wing is such a waste.

I’ve been a Cust critic for a while now but other people are starting to see it. I love his passion and he seems a nice bloke but what is he good at ? Never does a killer try assist, leaves all the kicking to smith, never makes a breaks, below average in D.


Field at 6 and French at 1 puts Smith under a lot of pressure because he’s basically playing half back on his own with 2 full backs with him. However he’s been playing half back on his own anyway with Cust being a passenger.

We made life alot easier when had a loose forward who could pass in Powell. Oh to have Sean O’Loughlin. There would be an argument to bring Shorrocks back as he can link play pretty well from that position.

Miski or Thornley or academy player onto the wing for next week. Cust either dropped or bench hooker (him on the bench covers basically all positions 1-7 as we can shift people around)

We look miles behind Saints and Wire and I think it’s due to not handling the quota right.

French superstar

Field Superstar

Ellis - Going okay this year but is he doing anything the other English props can’t do

Isa - can’t even get a game and is coming to the end

Mago - can’t get a game and can’t defend our keep hold of the ball

Cust - should be dropped

Miski - Slow winger who never gets a game.

Compare this to Saints who played all their quota players in the WCC and Wire whose overseas props are making a huge impact along with Dufty and Drink water in key positions.

Sorry for long post but to summaries just pass to the ball to Field and French and hope something happens.

Argue with yourself mate. If you think Singleton is a good prop, then that says more about you than any argument I can counter with.

He's ooc this year. I'm sure we'll be lucky to keep him, as there must be all the big NRL sides in for him. He's that good right
...

I’m not arguing with anyone. I’m simply posting on a forum and presenting you with the facts of what happened tonight.

Singleton was brought on to close the game out and slow the offence down (all things you admit you don’t understand).

You are wanting us to sign a prop that does less meters and tackles than one we have and an “Islander” to play in the centre over our biggest meter maker.

I have no issue with Singleton ‘if’ he’s been used in a way his talent warrants. He’s a 5th/6th choice prop, on a low wage and if he’s willing to accept that, great, but we’re using him as a front liner and some sort of front row leader and he is not up to that.

The pack needs a big overhaul. I only really have confidence in Farrell, Smithies and to a lesser degree, Havard, Byrne and Cooper. The hooking spot is an issue, the props are an issue and that right sided second row is now a big issue as well.