"You can get caught up in just winning games by completions, completions, completions but people like to see some risk-taking and people making breaks from their own area and scoring length-of-the-field tries.

"That's why people turn up. If we get too much into win-at-all-costs, at the peril of entertainment, we'll be limited to how long we're in jobs."

An interesting view on the game - a definite jibe at Maguire and his NRL style tactics. I knew we had some common ground it was just a question of finding it

I seem to remember a certain coach getting widely ridiculed for his comments about completion rates not long ago.

Presumably when these same comments are repeated by multiple Grand Final and Challenge Cup winning coach Tony Smith they'll be met with a different reaction.

thats because tony smith has the nous to implement said style of play and the certain coach u talk of couldnt implement an scratching contest!

It's not a question of completion rates or playing expansive football, it's always a question of decision making. The ideal is for players to spin it when it's on - no matter where you are on the field - and to keep it tight when it's not on - again no matter where you are on the field (how many times do teams throw the ball aimlessly all over 5 yards from their opponents line when they should be setting something planned). Having all the techniques are fine, having pace and ability is fine, but if you do the wrong thing at the wrong time it makes no difference.

So basically it isn`t the coaches fault we are crap it is down to the players making the wrong decisions?

We have lift off.

It seems to me that the general standard of Super League is at the lowest since the summer era began. Overcoached, sterile and often pretty dull - the current rise and success of Wigan exemplifies all that is currently wrong with the game. High on wrestling, slowing down at the PTB, tackling technique obsessed, completion focused and playing the percentages just chronically dull and a grind to watch. Fingers crossed that Warrington smash them on Saturday.

In general something needs to be done to improve our game - it really is getting dull with the pre-eminence of physicality, power, structure and defensive organisation choking the style and entertainment out of the game.

Indeed I have lost interest to such an extent that I went to watch Harry Potter with the wife and kids rather than watching the Leeds Hull game - this would have been unheard of 2 or 3 years ago. Having watched the game when I came back I knew I had made the right call. (Voldemort dies in the end by the way)

So you think the players are making the right decisions at the moment?

Sure Wigan have a highly proficient defence but they couple that with a structured attack employing multiple dummy runners and options and create numerous overlaps and scoring opportunities.

They don't go in for off the cuff individual plays as much as some teams but perhaps that's because they do just fine sticking to the formula. The failing as I see it is with the teams that rely on individual flair.

Either way Wigan are still second only to Warrington in the points scored stats since Maguire took over so hardly the dullards of SL.

There are all sorts of factors in this.
Yes, Wigan play a little more structured. They play "this is what we're going to do, you try to stop it"
Some teams (I suppose we're trying to) play a little more reactive - we'll react to what we open or the defence doesn't cover, and be a bit more off the cuff.

Funnilly enough, it's often the poorer teams that need to look after the ball more. A better team might be able to take some risks and know their defence is good enough to rescue them if they turn the ball over. A team with a bit less ability might need to look after the ball more, and endeavour to play more on field position, playing as much as possible in the other teams half.

As DHM says though, whatever the strategy and whatever the tactic, ultimately it's about decision making on the field.

an argument peddled by many a Wigan fan on the VT and beyond, and not one I agree with is more points scored = more exciting to watch