Great post

He has mentioned them a handful of times and it is right that he did. They have been massive and it's been blatantly obvious to everyone. Jammer and Robes were playing with serious injuries and their courage should be mentioned; as should the courage of other players who were not fit but who put up their hands to play. I think that speaks to our character as a team and it is THAT which he referred to in his post match interview - our courage.

Our long kicking game was, bar one from Pryce. But Wilkin's grubbers earned us three dropouts, which I wouldn't call terrible.

To be fair, until the 2nd half the kicking game for Saints was pretty irrelevant, we made the hard yards up field well and Wigans kicks all went to hand starting us on the 20 or 30 or 40 m lines.



We put up a few shocking bombs, but really both of wigans first 2 tries where from deep so a good kicking game would not have really impacted territory wise as we had territory and possesion in spades.



As I had only returned from hols on sat I was watching on TV and it was interesting to hear Milward saying we where too lateral. And after the game Royce said pretty much the same. Lomax was making the passes for Leon but basically everything went the same route, as when Lomax and Gaskell played. Part of bringing Leon back was to open up the other flank, not just do the same routine.



I don't think Leon is the messiah and the key player needed for next year, but neither do I think he is as woeful as has been suggested yesterday.



The question for me is does Lance bring a kicking game? We saw yesterday 4 wigan halfbacks all with kicking games.

At Saints we have runners of the ball and people who are creative with ball in hand, but our main kickers where on the bench and at loose.



I think we have the players, but balance is key. In the off season every single half back should be working on their kicking game. With the exception of Gaskell who needs to work on his defensive positioning. But no point having great half backs all doing the same job. Lomax or Lance or Leon, would be my options next year. But that has a provison on one of them having a kicking game. Otherwise Gaskell has to be fitted in somewhere, for some of the games where kicking will be vital.



I think the coach is better than most and he has moved a little on not playing 3 props from the start yesterday. But in such a key game, with Roby and Graham shot to pieces why did clough play so little and why not another forward? I understand he likes a back, but with it being sooo clear the forwards where a little underdone, why no other forward for this one game.



But hey ho I still reckon we'll shape up well against huddersfield.

I would imagine because our harassed coach was trying to figure out how to balance everything, including the management of returnees from long term injury of which he had two, one of whom was failing to have any positive impact on the game at all.



I feel dead sorry for Royce Simmons. He's had a miserable first season with us. I hope it is a gazillion times better in 2012. In all respects.

He. Has had it tough and done really well considering. He also has us playing more entertaining rugby than last year too IMO="I feel dead sorry for Royce Simmons. He's had a miserable first season with us. I hope it is a gazillion times better in 2012. In all respects.'"

We have a team full of injuries but the coach leaves two players sat on the bench for most of the game, one who has played all season and done well partnering Lomax. Soliola was also benched for a large part of the game.

Soliola was playing injured, as were so many of the team.



Give the coach a break. You try playing the toughest game of the year with up to eight players who have hardly trained through injury, with two on injections and serious injury, and two players coming back from long term injury in the same match, while also trying to win the bloody thing.



Jeez.

Somebody like Hohaia at fullback would have made a huge difference yesterday. Not just kick returns but attacking the line at pace.



Sts fans tend to underestimate how well you compete without halfbacks/missing at least one regular as well - for some reason yours seem to get injured at key points in the season more than the other top sides, yet you do pretty well anyway. Speaks a lot for having a pretty good overall structure to your play IMO.

Hohaia under the high bomb is a nightmare aka Meli x 5



Wrong decision putting him at fullback

If we'd have been hammered, I could blame injuries but the fact we got ourselves into good positions, and the lack of anything productive on wigans line from our halves, backs and outside backs (all of which were fit) tells its own story.



If by having so many injured, it adds more weight to the fact we shouldn't have player gaskell on the bench. Dixon has struggled this year, but he could have give a forward twenty minutes rest at some point.



I continue to question his subs policy and his playmaking tactics.

But he still consistently gets in the world champions team at FB? He obviously makes up for it, but probably is too much of a risk.