When did MM last do anything to remotely justify the "wouldn't swap him for anyone" approach Wane and Wigan fans have.

He is so limited it's untrue. Lives a charmed life too as seems to be completely impervious to criticism. Great gig he's got at Wigan.

Completely agree he's so average

the Wane game plan is to spread the ball wide irrespective of field position and at any time in a game, it's no wonder the props offer no go forward they hardly touch the ball, I'm not trying to say their world beaters by any means but the dumb game plan nullifies a forwards game. But at the minute we could do with simplyfying it and keep it tight in the middle, to try and gain some go forward and reduce the amount of errors where producing. Wane is clearly not getting the best from his players and is still trying to play a game plan that worked with a much better team of 2-3 years ago, if he had any idea he would adapt his game plan and tatics to suit his team he has at his disposal, but I don't believe he has the ability to change anything or knows how to.

The important thing to note in the SL stats is not the yardage each forward is making - but the [inumber of carries[/i.

When your front tier guys are making less than five hit ups per game your decision makers have - by definition - decided that forwards are redundant and are instead playing 'tick rugby'.

I've just had this exact conversation in the pub with the rugby lads this afternoon, most of whom are wigan fans.

One of them said "he's class." I asked him in what way, what does he offer. He stared at me for a few seconds and then said "he's hard as fu**."

For me that summed up what is probably the biggest myth in rugby league. McIlorum offers nothing as a rugby player but aggression in defence. However his missed tackles probably outweigh the impact of that aggression.

With ball in hand he is nothing. No better than your average Championship hooker.

He has bought the adoration from Wigan fans with his committed and whole-hearted displays and to a certain degree I get that; but when you break things down he's just an average player who masks his lack of ability with misguided and over-rated aggression.

That sounds very like Cunningham before his miraculous body change

Smith isn't the answer at the moment.
I'd put Willams at 7 and Hampshire at 6 but I know this will not happen.
It wouldn't surprise me if SOL plays at 6 when he returns which for me would be a very poor move.

Probably the worst comparison I've ever heard. Cunningham was class; one of the best in his position in the last 20 years without a doubt.
Same goes for Radlinksi, Robinson, Farrell (Andy), O'Loughlin before I get accused of bias.

But was he any good before his body change?
I compared MM to KC before KC put about two stone almost overnight. Before that he was average but worked hard a bit similar to your description of MM.

Unfortunately no one in cherry and white last night has what I would call a "rugby brain", only Locky seems to have it, Green had it and we desperately miss him, no more so than Farrell.

Smith should be taking control of these game but he doesn't have it in him.

Leeds were unbelieveable average last night and were there for the taking but that says more about Wigan at the moment I'm afraid.

Every single try Leeds scored was directly after an error or penalty by Wigan. The usual serial offenders (Farrell/Tomkins/Gelling) were at it again and need to be dropped.

I totally agree with those 3 plus Bowen and Smith but then we would be down to playing virtually an under 21 team.
It's a hard time but this is what SW and KR are paid for ie to make difficult decisions

He hurts people in defence and leads us around the park well.

He's not a flashy scooting Hooker like Roby or Clark, but he's much better in defence than either.

I guess it all depends on what you want from the position. In our structure he fits in perfectly.