I agree with both you and John on your comments regarding the defensive line, to see or 1st team using good line speed made a nice change instead of only seeing it used by the reserves and academy sides .

Next week will show whether this is going to be the new way or whether it's back to the same old tactic! Here's hoping...

Goulding was one of our best players at Hull and was one of the better ones against Castleford. He was made a scapegoat for Smiths shocking defence last week, as Noble tends to do with the younger players. I really dont see how you can criticise Gouldings defence last week and not Baileys last night. If Gouldings was bad last week then Baileys was as bad last night. Goulding missed one tackle last week, Bailey missed more last night.

However as I have said our defence out wide, whoever plays, is awful and it usually is not the centres fault. However some on here dont seem to realise this. Our defensive structures are poor and our forwards do not slide. Smith playing has made an already bad situation far worse. To slaughter Goulding for last week but not Phelps in the first game or Bailey or Carmont last night is hypocritical.

I have already said that I wouldnt drop Carmont as he is easily our best centre.

I'm sorry but I'm gong to have to disagree.
If Goulding had made the right decisions with ball in hand at Hull Wigan would have won the game

He made poor decisions defensively v Cas.

Brian Noble obviously sees it the same way as I do.

However, is it poor coaching, or players not obeying instructions?

I think it was John Monie who said that defense is a team thing, tackling is an individual thing.

Tim Smiths tackling was diabolical v Cas.

Darrell has to learn from his mistakes otherwise he will be following Aspinwall down that well trodden road.

Has Darrell improved since he's been training with the first team or not ?. I'm not sure i've noticed any real improvement in any of our first team for the past two years in skill ,speed, mistakes, penalty's etc, with one or two exceptions . Which leaves me rather disappointed overall with the coaching team .

Who is better ?

I suspect Noble might think Pryce is (when fit)

Jack Kerley got it right when he said that you and him were watching different games.

To blame Goulding for defeat against Hull is ludicrous. One of the breaks he slowed for support and Phelps was nowhere to be seen, another he caught the ball above his head and by the time he controlled it he was smashed by a great hit by Byrne.

Blaming him for Smiths faults against Castleford is laughable. Cullen got the Castleford analysis spot on on Boots N All, as did Offiah on Sky Sports. Funny none of them blamed Goulding, or most Wigan fans that I have spoken to either. Like I said if you are saying Goulding was bad in that match then Bailey was as bad, or worse as he missed more tackles, against Harlequins.

Noble has always made the youngsters the scapegoats, Goulding, McIlorum, Prescott, Joel Tomkins and O'Carroll have all be victims on numerous occasions in the past. I am sure Sam Tomkins and Ainscough's turn will come. Based on performances this season at least half the team should have been dropped before Goulding. Just because Noble has done so means nothing and certainly does not mean that Noble agrees with you, unless you personally know him and he has told you so. As you say though we will have to agree to disagree.

We looked twice as dangerous when TL when to hooker, he is brilliant at the quick play the ball and TL is at his most dangrous when he is running at the line rather than trying to be a play maker.

Agreed. There seems to be a school of thought that because he is from Wigan and a nice lad, he can do no wrong.

Currently he isn't good enough, whether he ever will be is up for debate. Noble repeatidly gives him chances, he has yet to take them.

Agreed.

Tommy is a strong and elusive runner, but will never be a creative half-back.

Hooker is probably the perfect role for him at this stage of his career.

It takes all the pressure off him, and allows him to do what he does best, run.

Tommy's style at hooker is very similar to Tevita Leo-Latu at Wakefield.

He and Brad Drew work well together and hopefully Riddell and Leuluai will eventually have a similar partnership.