A dip in form?

They literally can't tackle. Teams are offloading for fun against us. That's coaching.

If pro players need to be coached how to tackle and prevent offloads then we are in serious trouble.

Disagree completely. If you need coaching to manage the above you should be nowhere near the first team of any SL team.

Our inability to stop off loads is there for all to see but it’s not because the players don’t know how to do it. It’s largely the same group of players who won the grand final and our champion season was built on defence. The players know how to defend but they’re taking longer than we all hoped to settle into the new structure. I see our current form as nothing more than that and when we click I think somebody will be in for a good hiding. I just hope we click soon!

Attack is more of a concern for me. Halves not creating space for Zak and the outside backs. I think Zak is fantastic, but he's a true FB, whereas Tomkins was really a second pivot or second more old school 6. It's clear to see the difference it's bringing to the team having different personnel.

It is and it isn't. You learn to tackle at a very young age so by pro level they should know how to tackle/stop offloads. However, what is coaching is the defence setup, when to slide, when to hold, when to go one for one etc.
Additionally we can't forget Madge did bring in a 3 man in the tackle technique, 2 make contact, hold the man up, 3rd man comes in so they can lower and turtle the ball carrier so the d line can reset before the PTB.
Additionally, different coaches can 'hide' players in D if the attacking team seeks to target them, like how Saints moved long out wide in D or how the Broncos always positioned Lockyer next to Tallis.

Lots goes into D.

As I've mentioned previously a lot of Wigan fans moaned about "the wrestle" but it was big part of how the team successfully defended. It was very effective at killing the offload and slowing down the opponents ruck speed. It's something we need to get back to and quickly.

I'm shocked. I'd swap Tomkins back for Hardaker in a heartbeat.

couldn't agree more. A successful development installed under Madge. Always allowed our d to reset before the opposition PTB.

Aren't you a Warrington fan?

I am. I don't know what that has to do with recognising Hardaker isn't nearly in the same class as Tomkins.

I never said it did? I just asked if you're a wire fan.

Hardaker has done well so far imo in what is a poor team atm can't wait to see him when we start to click.He has to be given credit as I think he's knuckled down and settled in well

He's one of the best defensive full backs I've seen at Wigan in many a year...

Thinking back we've had:

Tomkins
Bowen
Tomkins (first spell)
Phelps
Roberts
Ashton maybe?

Spot on. We have clearly stopped practicing the wrestle. Big red warrior is way wrong on this one if he thinks that competence remains at the same level without practice. For instance, does Tiger Woods practice or is he happy now that he knows what to do?