Statistically Lees, Amor, Partington and Singleton were very much of a muchness. Only around 40 metres each. That surprised me with Partington but what you can’t put a stat on the intensity he put in to his defence or how quick he played the ball and it was those factors that really impressed me. Joe Bullock and Graham made the most metres of the props, with Bullock in the 90’s and Graham mid 80’s. Ultimately Walmsley is twice the player of any of them at the minute and once he’s back in it’s a different game. We’ll need to find more once Walmsley is back in but last night was a confidence booster.

One player who got very little chatter after last night was Liam Farrell. He has to be 10/10 to get much praise because he’s 8 or 9/10 most weeks. He made 166 metres last night and 58 tackles. It’s staggering stuff but it’s pretty much standard for him. If there’s a better second rower knocking about superleague I’ve not seen him.

He will improve them there's no doubting that, but does he improve them by 3 tries?

Farrell is quality, I've never understood people who think otherwise. Cracking player.

Thought Wigan just handled the big moments better. Felt we were pretty dominant most of first half, particularly early, and should have tidied up the kick try but Lomax was struggling a little at that point.

Second half we made way too many errors, includign some really horrible simple ones. Forcing the drop out then Grace's error was a big point in the match IMO. Grace was great first half but lost his nerve second half. Plus some pretty uncharancteristic sloppy defence through the middle, LMS and Paulo missed a couple of really poor ones.

So tough to quantify. I did worry after 25/30 mins that we were getting pinned in our 40, a bit like that Leeds semi and had that happened with Walmsley in their side, I don’t think we get out of it just 6 points down. Do you then have the energy and belief to get back? I’m not so sure but it’s all if’s and but’s, he didn’t play, we did find the energy to get on top and we’ll take confidence out of the game. I’d love to put Havard in to our side the next time we play them. It’s unlikely with his injury but he’d bring that go forward alongside Bullock to get us off our line. It’s something you can’t rely on most of our props from last night doing. As great as Partington and Singleton were, they’re not making much ground and the two old boys off the bench don’t bring that ability either.

In 3/4/5 years time once retired I think he will enter the debate when talking about Wigans greatest Team
He may not get in, but to just even be talked about in that way will reflect what an absolutely marvellous player for Wigan hes been and continues to be.

Agreed. He's a superb player and the only reason I can think of as to why he doesn't get recognised for it is the same as SOL. He plays for Wigan.

You're quite right. He would have obviously given them the additional go forward that they didn't have last night, but his game is built on getting over the defenders and a quick PTB for Roby. The way we defended last night I'm not sure he would have been able to do that as regular as he has been against us.

The again, maybe he would and maybe we would have been looking at another 20 point hiding.

I have been impressed with Partington since his return. Running harder quick PTB and always in the frame in defence. I’ve said it before he has the best passing game of our young forwards. I think a few fans have been too hard on Smithies after his ban he regally adds aggression from the bench. Farrell is MOS for me.

Singleton did a great effort in winding up the Saints pack lots of niggle without going over the top. The Redvee mob already have him as a villain which shows he’s done his job.

10 caps he has had for England, criminal.

And many of those were just a few minutes off the bench.

I’m sure Wane won’t make the same mistake. He gets the left sided second row spot and plays for the 80 mins and others fit in around him for me.

Yeah Wane put him in the squad didn't he? It's unusual to bring in a guy who will he 31 at next internationals who hasn't played in them since 2016 but Farrell warrants it IMO.

Whitehead plays NRL though so must be better

I always feel like I cannot be bothered saying it on places like the VT or on other mixed forums because you know what you’ll get back (NRL, not big enough blah blah) but I believe Farrell is a better player than Elliot Whitehead. He was better than him comfortably in superleague and he would cut it in the NRL easily. I rate the pair of them, Whitehead has come on leaps and bounds but he does have some very quiet games where his work rate isn’t huge. I’d jig the side around to fit them both in but if somebody held a gun to my head and said pick one, it would be Farrell all day long.

Agreed. I don't see any reason why we can't go with Faz, Whitehead and Bateman as a back 3. Walmsley, Thompson, Burgess and AN Other as the props.

Faz is the better player and he would easily cut it in the NRL, but at the same time being steady to good (Whitehead) in the NRL is the equivalent of being v.good over here imo.