That's actually one of the most sensible posts on here! Goulding has been criticised because tries occur on his side of the field regardless of where, how, or why they are actually scored. Pryce hasn't really been tested defensively.
I'd also guarantee that had Pryce been playing on the right hand side the tries conceded would probably be blamed on him too. Maybe it's just too easy to think that if a try is scored by a winger then it's automatically the opposite wingers fault.

Why has Bluey showed all his cards?

The problem is though Goulding has been badly caught out of position on several occasions of late and that is why he is to be blamed for allowing in tries. It has nothing to do with statistics but much to do with what has/is happening on the pitch.

Its interesting to note that you pick up on the fact teams may not attack down Pryce's side as much as they have Gouldings, I wonder why that is? Surely just a simple coincidence........a coach would never ask his players to attack the weaker side now would he? Thats just crazy!

Great post. I agree totally.

Didnt you know though, when it all comes down for it Goulding will always be better than Pryce because he is from Wigan and Pryce isnt.

In that case Jimmy Hornby must have been better than Stuart Wright and Kevin O'Loughlin better than Billy Boston if you get my drift.

Ainscough better than Roberts ...

Oh wait some people actually thought that last year

It doesnt seem that way on the games I have seen. It seems like he was badly outnumbered and wasnt at fault anywhere near as much as you are trying to make out, unless of course you think that Pryce will always stop overlaps. If Goulding was as bad as you are trying to make out then he would have been dropped by now. Wasnt Ainscough dropped after one game for these reasons? Havent other Wigan players been dropped because of poor defence? Seeing as he hasnt I guess your coach disagrees with you and your view of what has happened. I have to say though you do seem a little biased in all of this and seem to be seeing just what you want to see. Pryce wouldnt be one of your favourite players by any chance



Again you seem to totally misuse statistics to try and back up what you say. Most teams always attack far more down the left than the right and this has always been the case, I am sure that Wigan do and this has been shown in Pryce's tries. This is simply because most players are more comfortable passing that way and as a result a teams better centre and winger tend to be on this left side. As a result a right sided centre/wing partnership has to face much more. Is a side that lets in 3 tries in 20 attacks really worse than one which lets in 1 in 4? Also hasnt Marsh made his debut on that side and played in a couple of games and so was he being targeting, which is quite sensible thing to do? Wasnt Tomkins (a right sided second row) sin binned agaisnt Huddersfield which left that side exposed for tries? It is no where near as simple as you are trying to make out. I dont really see why you are trying to knock other Wigan players as a means of justifying Pryce. If his play was as good as you are trying to make out then there would be no need.

Goulding has been dropped this season already for poor defence.

Beat me too it, egg on face

No arguments on Pryce's good performances but what tries specifically has Goulding been caught out of position?
The first try against Huddersfield certainly, but most of the other tries were just working the numbers. Leuluai has been targeted defensively for the last 3 games, Marsh was poor against Huddersfield (but inexperienced) and Gleeson was poor against Crusaders. I can't see how Goulding gets the blame. Only one try was actually scored on his wing against Crusaders but the poor defence of Gleeson and Leuluai is hardly mentioned.

What you seem to be blissfully unaware of is he has already been dropped for poor defence.

Also while it may be true in kids rugby regards which side a team attacks because they find it easier to pass to the left, in the professional game players are directed to attack the weak points.

Regards using misusing statistics? Where, I have clearly stated it is the evidence of what I have seen nothing to do with stats.While I agree Goulding has been left high and dry on a few occasions he has also made some errors that have allowed his opposite number to score, and to be fair it is something he has always had an issue with.

Since his return Pryce has improved every game and defended very well and finished everything he has has a chance to. Nobody is claiming his form is world class simply that he has done enough in the last few weeks while playing on the same field as Goulding to retain his shirt.

I think you need to try to find another was to have a dig at Wigan fans and the club as this one goes down as a major failed attempt.