Rather than start a new thread I'm going to stick my neck out here and ask, just ask a question:
Have we been/ are we being found out this year?
Not withstanding the fact that key players like Fielden, Richards and Gleeson are missing does the fact that our games have been much closer this season indicate that other teams have now cottoned on to our tactics, have developed a way of ullifying them and we are going to find it much tougher this season without an obvious plan B?
Is this a consequence now of being the team to beat rather than the team that is doing the beating? If that makes sense.

Are we ? Like many on here when I heard we'd signed the melbourne storm front rower I thought we'd finally fixed a long standing issue - we needed an enforcer style prop .. It's well documented.

This guy is light weight. Can anyone honestly say he looks significantly better than any of our existing props?

I rarely make comments on a rival teams board, but having read the many insightful summaries of last nights game on here, I thought I would say how nice it is to read so many thoughtful posts.
The only one I have to question is the statement that Sam didn't do anything wrong before Westwood threw a punch at him. From what I could see, Sam was trying to use Westwoods head to make a hole in the turf. No excuses for punching - but!
Sam could be a fantastic player if he would only learn to use his undoubted skills to hurt teams rather than trying to use his fists.
And finally, everything said about Alibert is correct. How he is allocated such games is beyond me.
Anyway, always enjoy visiting the DW.

The main reason we lost is Wire played how we played last year and it shocked us. Makes sense why smith didnt moan about our tackling technique now because he knew it was legal and wanted to do it himself. Wire fans will have to stop moaning now their team are doing it though. Tbh the select wire fans that did were probably dense bandwagon jumpers anyway.

He's better than the prop he replaced. He makes c100m per match. He doesn't shy away from work.

The fact that he's not what people expected perhaps says more about them than him. I would suggest that the people who thought he was an 80 minute Feka have only watched a few clips of him on youtube and haven't watched him play in full games. He's a typical Melbourne forward. hard working, consistent but not a world beater. Remember melbourne had Ryan Tandy, of whitehaven fame, as one of their GF winning props.

Here's the issues player by player
1, Sam:
Been found out. A good coach can spot his runs when he links up with the 3/4 line. Coaching issue.
2 Goulding:
Solid not got any spark about him in attack running with the ball or leaping after a high kick.
3 Marsh
Not SL standard as of yet, offers very little threat in attack and ball for his winger.
4 Carmont
No issue.
5 Charnley
Lacks experience felt the pressure of a big game, will come with time.
6 Finch
Off the pace, looked out of sync with the rest of the team in attack, however, very good in def for a HB.
7 No issue
8 Coley
A plodder.
9 McM
Asked to do too much. Crucial position, he's not the finished article and MM plays him for 70mins +.
10 Prescott
No issue
11 Hansen
Rarely steps up in a big game.
12 Hoffmann
Excellent
13 Lockers
No issue, just wasn't his day.
----------------
Roberts-Get rid. Totally lacklustre.
Mossop-Excellent
Lima-Just needs to find his feet
Tuson-still learning his trade, pushed in due to injuries.

Strange how it was your worst performance under Maguire since the last time we beat you at the DW.

On a positive note for you, Finch will be one of the signings of the season when he gains match fitness.

Well we have been pretty good under him haven't we.

Fully agree about Finch even if the guy, sorry pr1ck, behind me wants him on the next plane home.

Id say last year we were short 3 props, and only had one prop the whole game (Prescott) therefore the game was always going to be an uphill struggle, against 4 wire props. I was pretty happy with the performance overall last year

This year was just a lacklustre performance, the backs and forwards were outplayed by a more eager 1-17 who had the right game plan

Sounds to me like, in Lima, you guys are expecting the barnstorming runs of Feka (before he's knackered for the next 35 mins), combined with the outrageous handling (dummy/offload) abilities of the likes of Hock, Lauititi (sp?) & Solomona, and with the durability (80 mins) of Fielden/Westwood. And add to that you want the metres gained & toughness of Morley/Graham/Peacock.

It's a hell of a lot to ask of a player, no matter how big his reputation or salary is.

Well played to Warrington, they showed desire and great execution of plays.

No excuses from the Wigan end, we where caught wanting by a better team on the day.

Cant agree more, our grand final isnt won on 25th March. albeit you would think some teams are from certain reactions

Really disapointed last night wire was better team
just watched game again and if fairness was at the rfl
Westwood would get a game ban for striking same as yeman
and higham did a "chickin wing" takle simlar to the one Lima got done for in the takle we got a penalty for ball stealing can't remember who against

personally don't think they are bans and neither were the previous but what we have all been asking for from rfl is consitancy

I hate to say it but as I said last year when Warrington play to their full potential they are as good, if not better, than any side in Super League. Up until this season they always lacked consistency and suffered from stupid collapses. This now seems to have changed and they will be the team to be this season.

Way too early to push the panic button. Wigan haven't really been hitting top form in their games this season, we look off the pace for some reason. Possibly the injuries, possibly the pre-season. I don't know why.

Warrington are hitting the straps early and the result on Friday was a fair reflection of this.

I honestly think we will have cranked up another couple of gears by September. I actually think we are a lot better than we were last year. A lot.