Watching Tomkins' performances so far for Catalans makes me even more sure than moving him on and Hardaker signing was deffo an upgrade. Hardaker has been good in a poor team and will only get better, he is still finding his feet. I don't want Lam to go (yet) all of me is willing him to turn it around but his excuses are contradictory and baffling. He needs to put his finger on the button fast. Before Wane announced he was leaving i wanted him to go, I just felt we needed a different direction and style of play. Let's be honest, the rugby was very boring and predictable going forward. We started games like we were going to put 60 on them then let them back in nearly every time and used to win by a couple of try's. I was to see us start demolishing sides with no prospect of comebacks. His defence was second to none but wanted to see a team that performed all season not the last 5 games. When he announced he was leaving i was sad but still thought it was the best way to go. What we are seeing with Lam is still the same players who can't attack very well but seem to have lost the ability to defend too. You can't win matches without one or both of those things. Maybe the players just aren't good enough, maybe Lam's hands are tied regarding recruitment and he is stuck with an average squad with a couple of top players in it. Shaun Wane had a distinct ability to eek out every inch of effort in the team but now that shield has been taken away we are seeing the mentallity level from our squad. I said a couple of weeks ago that at some point the players have to take responsibility and a personal pride must kick in. They know they can do better but don't seem like they want to. Maybe Lam is too soft. Either way, scrap the Edwards thing. I couldn't care less if he is a legend or not. Not heard a squeak out of him for 20 years and now all this. Let him carry on in RU and never invite him back to the stadium again. The club and fans are far more important than a trouble making pot from Standish. Move on. Get behind Lam.

.... and breathe

your joking right?

I’m still struggling with the Tomkins Hardaker thing.

In my opinion this is a massive issue in relation to why our attack isn’t clicking.

Sam was the heartbeat of our attack his movement and ability to find space/provide the link is exactly what we are missing.

I’ve not seen anything even close to that with Hardaker.

That’s not his fault he isn’t that type of player. He is a strike runner not a creator however we need a creator at 1 more than we do a strike runner at the moment.

For me Hardaker is struggling, and will until we get more creativity in the middle of the field around 9, 7 and 6.

This is the main issue Lam or whoever comes in needs to address as a new style is required to get the best out of Hardaker and compliment his style of play.

You're right Jonh, and to your credit you did discuss this prior to Zak putting on a wigan shirt. Half backs aren't creative enough space out wide or gaps to unleash Zak or our outside backs.

Zak is very much a strike weapon, give him half a gap and watch him go.

Yeah can't argue with that. Richards was a beast in D. Didn't link up in the line like a Tomkins style 1 but was as safe as houses under the high ball and could tackle anyone.

Both Rads and Hampo were defensively superb. But for me so is Zak, not just under the highball, but his defensive positioning and 1 on 1 defence. I mean, look at his 1 on 1 try save v Wire, was outstanding.

Although Mathers is considered by many to be best FB ever to play for the Wire in Wigan he was generally considered to be pretty shoite so no, he wouldn't be considered to be one of our better FBs.

No why?

Has Sam been ripping up trees down in the south of France? If he has i must have missed it and i have seen every Catalans game this season for 80 mins. An ageing player with hardly any pace on top dollar wages or a much younger Man Of Steel winner defensively sound, positionally sound and much better attacker (with the right team around him)

I know where my money is. Each to their own though. Its your view and you are entitled to it.

He tracked back to make the tackle though, he should have been better positioned to either front up or side on. I think Zac is still trying to find his positional play and it will come, but I think too often he leaves himself to much to do when sliding across the back of the defensive line

A few people mention that tackle but apart from that he has definitely "gone missing" a few times when I'd expect better from a quality FB.
I think we would see a better Hardaker if and when we can sort out the half backs.
For me the jury is still out on Hardaker but unless his lifestyle has blunted his prowess I'm a decent player still resides there.

Lenegan confirms no signed contract https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... -1-9667903

Lenegan confirms no signed contract https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... -1-9667903