At times I thought we must have picked up injuries in the game given the subs. MM went off quite early IIRC and I did wonder about his fitness as a result.







I am still wondering if Thornley's pass for the 1st try was a masterstroke of timing or just fortunate he didn't hold onto it too long but regardless it was the half backs who need to look at what they did in that game more than he does. I have only watched Hampshire via Wigan TV and even with that you can tell he's "got it" like you could with a young Sam, Hansen, Joel T or Lockers. It was good to see him do well tonight despite the dropped ball.



I bet the next great debate if Sam does leave will be is Hampshire the next Wigan No. 1 ! And to lay my cards on the table before it start's, he's a 6!

Definitely got out of jail there! A lot of the lads look tired to me, perhaps mentally as much as physically - if I were Waney I'd give them 4 or 5 days holiday, and only resume training midweek.



Thought Hampshire did pretty well, but I still think he's a better half back than fullback. We weren't too bad defensively, but bombed way too many excellent chances in attack (again!), either through bad decision-making or just poor execution. Nothing that can't be fixed, but I do think a rest would do them more good than more training.

Replacements, players just coming back from injury and not up to game speed, maybe even too much training based around Sam, as an outsider. Who knows? All you see is what looks like a drop in enthusiasm in some games, a lack of cohesion, and a shed full of dropped ball and errors. As to why, I think we’re all just guessing the reasons, SW knows more about the behind the scenes stuff that could be in the mix, and he’s not telling. So let’s just keep on analysing and guessing.

I think this sums it all up...



Plus, most importantly in my view, SOL missing, and not and giving the crucial link/organisation twixt forwards and backs.

the last 2 games we also have seen the biggest shake up in the backs we've had for a while. with new combinations and players lacking a bit of confidence, the ball is getting stuck/slow, allowing the opposition defence to cover the gaps/perssurise.

last week and 1st half last night micky was poor, so we also lacked go forward from the PTB.

its easier to rotate the pack without impacting the team. however, when 6/7/3 and 4 are tired/injured/new combinations its a lot more difficult.

Just seen this quote from the BBC.



Bradford Bulls head coach Francis Cummins:

"Sometimes you feel you don't get what you deserve and that is what we are feeling now.

"You know when you come to Wigan that you are not going to get all the possession and maybe not get all the calls you should get - that is my opinion. But we gave them a bit back and we played really well.

"I just get a bit frustrated with some decisions. They didn't need any help."



That' just sour grapes that. If he hadn't told his players to start trying to run the clock down from 20 mins out - they would have won that game.

Bulls were the better team for most of the game, but their negativty meant they deserved to lose.



Not too sure what he's on about with the ref either. Will have to watch the game back when the full highlights are available, but for me the worst decision of the night was their try 2nd try, where they were clearly offside for the bomb that RH dropped.

That's sour grapes of the highest order, I'm not saying he got all the calls right but I've known Tim a long time from when I was a ref and he's no cheat. You would think someone who has been in the game as long as Francis Cummins would know better

Who was the guy in the shirt & tie who was on the touchline between the north stand and tunnel last night? He seemed to be talking to Bradford's 'water carriers' - had there been some sort of complaint?

One man team.



We shouldn't be but the structures are all about playing to open up space for the FB. This works when your FB is the best player in the league, but now when he's a young lad.



Just look at the wins/losses when Sam doesn't play, and look at the way the team plays.



And yes Sam is going. Just waiting for the club to announce it. Why do you think we're making offers to Minnie if Sam's staying?



Personally I don't care if Wane stays or goes. Drives me mad watching they way the team plays. Yes I know we're top of the league, yes I know about the points difference, but I also know the poor quality of opposition we're playing and also how we perform against the top 4 teams.



Man I miss Madge.

Maybe im a blind optimist, but i think if any other player gets more than a couple matches at fullback (russell, murphy, tierney, charnley, richards, hampshire) i think they would be significantly more comfortable in the fullback role we have. God forbid someone gets a preseason there too. Obviously they wont replicate sams abilities, as sam is a freak who pretty much invented (along with madge) how he plays the position which is now copied by others, but i think once someone else gets a good run and consistent coaching and games to play there, our attack would be less pathetic without sam.

What was different about our style of play under Maguire?



Not much from what I see.

Nah we played completely differently. We had carmont, gleeson, coley, fielden fit, joel tomkins, hoffman, deacon.