We were comfortably the better side in the first half, both in attack and defence with Leeds only score coming from a lucky bounce pretty much on the half time hooter. Prior to that we had seemed comfortable in defence, Hurrell aside, and showed some invention in attack. The best being the O'Loughlin pass for Isa's try, which was absolutely sublime. Hastings also added a new element and overall there was plenty application and energy. As others have said, we seemed to lose our way a bit once the first team were on the sidelines.

Possibly the best pre season performance I've seen in quite some time. Even the kids had a dig in the second half but came up with a few too many errors. The final score definitely flattered Leeds as they had been outclassed in the first half and only came into the game once we were basically playing a reserve side. I think we finished with only 3 of the starting 17 on the field, all in the backs.

Good first hit out. I definitely feel there is more to come once Hastings has settled in more and the likes of Burgess, Manfredi, Flower and Gildart are available. We also had a kicking game courtesy of Hastings and how long is it since we've been able to say that?

I thought Liam Byrne & Joe Bullock were really good. Lots of positives for both teams.

Talking of positives for the opposition, I thought Jack Walker looked like he’s ready to kick on a level after an indifferent spell over the last 12-18 months. He burst on the scene and looked like a superstar in the making but it’s not quite happened for him but he was very good yesterday.

It’s a big couple of years coming up for England, so he’s hopefully one of a number of young players who’ll go up a level or two because we need some fresh blood.

So is anybody going to say how Budgie went

Maybe, they decided to be part of the 4,125 crowd at St Helens for the McCarthy-Scarsbrook Testimonial game against London Broncos.

I ask you, how on earth can a Testimonial game for McCarthy-Scarsbrook against London Broncos get a bigger attendance than a Testimonial game for Liam Farrell against Leeds Rhinos.

The crowds for non season ticket games at Wigan are a disgrace.

Change the bloody record

I wouldn't say they are a disgrace but they are very worrying. Me and my youngest were talking about "walk up" fans on Saturday night and how can the club improve the small number of fans who turn up for games but are not ST holders. Other than more cash only turnstiles we didn't come up many more ideas but then again that could have been the Estrella kicking in rather than lack of specific ideas.

I think that an even bigger problem for the club will be if ST sales are down year on year which wouldn't surprise me. Marketing wise the club seem very limited in their ideas but maybe it's hard to sell a product that has been on the decline for a number of years.

BY only opening 1 stand and filling it to capacity is why.

They should have opened the south stand for people to pay on the gate.

On another note I thought we looked slick and very dangerous in attack in the first half, we looked energised and fitter also. Defence has improved and we look like a team who know what they’re doing.

The only concern for me is Harry Smiths and Hankinsons defence, both looked lost and Hankinson was caught out of position numerous times yesterday.

This sums it up pretty well: https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan- ... 1-10210048

This sums it up pretty well: https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan- ... 1-10210048

It’s tough to give a honest opinion on him without it feeling like you’re getting on his back for the sake of it but he struggled IMO. His performance compared to that of Marshall was chalk and cheese. One looked desperate to be involved, to look for work and was popping up all over the place and the other just seemed to go through the pre season motions. There’s going to be a huge job on to claim a wing spot when Manfredi is back fully fit and Burgess will need to show more than yesterday to have a sniff of keeping his spot. I really hope he does come good because his talent is unquestionable.

Cheers