Quote Wigg'n="Wigg'n"Hard to disagree with that Cruncher. And it speaks volumes about the game in the UK that this average team which is poorly coached can win the next 3 games and become champions???
We were so badly under-prepared yesterday. The writing was on the wall from the first set when Cas easily broke our line and went 80 metres. Is that the players fault though? Wane blamed a lot of "individuals" having poor games which is probably true but if most of the team had a poor game then you have to look towards the preparation and coaching?'"
I totally agree. But as I've said, replacing the coaching staff is something that can't happen as a kneejerk (and I doubt it will - the protracted but careful selection and appointment of Michael Maguire being a good example).
In terms of the players, the only ones who stood up and were counted yesterday were Tom Davis and John Bateman (as usual). Tommy L had a bit of a dig, but one good effort in a whole season is not enough - the guy's clearly finished.
There are even some who are NOT on my list of shame who I have reservations about. I fear that Oli Gildart is too small to play centre in the modern game, while for a 22-year-old, Ryan Sutton looks out of shape to me. I'm even worried about Faz's lack of stature, though that's only being exposed because we have a powder-puff front row.
I would also impose a moratorium on bringing back players who've left. I agree that this seemed like a good idea at the time, and a sensible appreciation of the new situation in the game (wherein British RL with its self-imposed restriction on spending power is bottom of the rugby world pecking-order), but it's mainly turned out to be a safety net for mercenaries. Players are basically saying that they want to go and have an adventure somewhere else (some quite ridiculously - Budgie, Joel and Josh spring to mind!) - but don't worry, they'll come back to Wigan if it all goes pear-shaped for them. Well, that's not good enough ... and on reflection, it's maybe no surprise that we keep getting our fingers burned by it. Even those who go to to Aus, who you'd expect to have improved, come back worse players - it's got to be a mindset thing; they're just not that bothered about playing for Wigan.
I know that extricating all these losers from the team sounds draconian, but I sincerely believe that yesterday spoke volumes about how we've been on the slide recently. 2017 has been an almost unrelieved tale of error-strewn performances, lack of organisation on the field and non-existent commitment from a bunch of men who get very well paid to wear a shirt that others would have put on simply for the honour of it. Hopefully, the club will now decide that enough is enough, and will view yesterday as a new low-watermark for the club. It really is time for action ... some of it pretty radical.