Hard to argue with that. We have gone backwards in terms of playing and coaching staff. Only probably Bateman and Flower would get in the side of 5 years ago. The salary cap hasn't changed, we now have the marquee player rule and more homegrown players that don't count as much on the cap. How has our quality decreased so rapidly?

Itchy you could be right in, I got my 3 mixed up with my 4, should have been Gildart at 4 Gelling at 3, I did say though the backs I named came from the players available at present.
Not quite as sensible as you think.
But your statement on "Wanes World" makes me think.
Has Wane got 100% control on all thing Football matters and Rads who has far more honours and knowledge of the tactics of free flowing Rugby just employed for Corperate events.

I'm just an owed farwt who wants a centre who can pass, a prop who can break more than wind, a full back who can catch&tackle, a coach who trusts his players, a back that can actually kick, a halfback who knows what HE wants to do and a coach who understands that some positions actually require a modicum of skill.
Oh and any middle whatever that is who can do more than 20 minutes a go.
I won't hold my breath.

Itchy, you should try drinking mild like me, it has a very calming effect .

It will because this is superleague! Put Tomkins in at full back and Williams at stand off and the side will be a hundred times more dangerous. Is that down to them? Well not totally, it's because the quality of the league is poor and they will get us rolling through teams.

The one thing I would point out from last night is that as a team I think we went ok. At 12-6 up I was impressed with how we'd played because they threw loads at us but we invited them back in to the game. I'd bag Smith on last nights showing but I certainly wouldn't go too hard at the side as a whole. It was a top of the table class in its own right and their pretty much full strength side had just enough to see off our side devoid of 6 players including its two biggest attacking threats.

It's more down to the poor quality of superleague but we'll be massively in the mix for trophies.

Watch the NRL and take an interest in some sides there, Itchy. There's some great footy being played out there. I know it's not the same as watching your team (less painful for a start! ) but...

Warrington led by Chris Sandow

The whole sport in the UK is in decline, not just Wigan. I'm generally in agreement with you and have posted many times along similar lines (centres doing a props job, etc). Neither am I an out and out SW fan but I am certain we will play with more flair when our troops return from injury. However, the fare on offer will be thin gruel compared to the NRL.
Re MM he plays 50 odd minutes not 40 and you can't call SOL a prop and still insist Williams is a 7 IMO. Finally, where's that good chippy you mentioned because they too are in sad decline IMO

Smith apologists need to watch Sandow's performance against Cas last night. Incredible. Now that's a #7.

The problem with Smith is because his skill set is so limited, it looks so much worse on the field when he has a bad game. Other halfbacks might have games where their basic skills let them down but might be able to cover it up with one moment of brilliance - match winning pass or run for example.

Itchy> This game seems to be youtube already. Really good performances at 1, 6, and 7. Well worth a look. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2Purg4HR94 I reckon all the NRL games plus international and SoO on my laptop for eleven quid a month, or whatever it is, is a bargain, especially compared to the drivel you have to listen to on Sky. Although don't get me wrong, the Aussies have their share of dull clunkers just like we do. But sometimes... I was going to ask about the chippy too!

Itchy> This game seems to be youtube already. Really good performances at 1, 6, and 7. Well worth a look. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2Purg4HR94 I reckon all the NRL games plus international and SoO on my laptop for eleven quid a month, or whatever it is, is a bargain, especially compared to the drivel you have to listen to on Sky. Although don't get me wrong, the Aussies have their share of dull clunkers just like we do. But sometimes... I was going to ask about the chippy too!

There's two ways to ask this question.

1. Is he good enough?
2. Is he the right player for Wigan?

I'd sooner answer number 2. Answer is, no I don't think he is, but that's not his fault. Wane and IL haven't replaced Green with a like for like. Williams is good, but he's no Blake Green or Brett Finch. Smith needs a player of that caliber to allow him do what he does well. Now he doesn't have that he's exposed for what he is, limited and good for certain things.

Smith can get by with talent around him, he can do the basics very well, and that works in the right environment, remove the talent from around him and rely on him to create and it's game over.