Didn't we have 7 senior props in the squad at the start of the season?... if you couldn't see we were going to be predominantly route one, then you haven't been watching properly



Like I said when Mikaele left (and got told I was wrong), we needed a replacement in immediately to maintain the early season momentum - we didn't and are now, especially with pitches getting quicker, paying the inevitable price.

It’s not necessarily the dropped ball though, sometimes. While there is no excuse for dropping the ball, there is a glaringly pattern of failure for me.

We are obsessed with playing the short ball in the “block” play, where a pivot goes out the back. More often than not, we hit the lead line. While that in itself isn’t a problem, the aim of rugby league is to manipulate numbers to create space. So when you do create that space, it’s about taking those opportunities. Anyone with the recording (and resilience to relive it) go to 29:00 exactly in the game. Matautia skips across the field and gets in front of the Wigan right second row. Philbin is the lead runner going as Smith. The winger has dropped, King has come in to try and is looking to go for Dufty. A simple pass to Dufty puts him in a 4 vs 1 situation with Ratchford, Currie and Ashton outside of him. Matautia hits the short option to Philbin who is a yard off the defender and takes his eye off it.

Skip to 50:38. On the Wigan line, Matautia out the back, has a 4 vs 2. Wardle in front of him, Wrench running the lead line, Dufty out the back and winger unmarked. Matautia could walk over himself, but passes short which is knocked down.

Now, you could just say that Matautia is pants, and have done with it. But this is a pattern every week. Surely the whole ethos of this project is to get the big lads to create space for the fast lads to run into. Why are we not letting the ball go? Is this the plan, or is Matautia (not the only culprit, I would add) just simply not listening or not capable of making the pass out the back?

I still don’t think that we know what style of team we are. We see all of the arms in the air, walkie talkie smashing and eye rolls when a risky play doesn’t come off. So you’d assume that the coach isn’t pushing the “have a go if you see a chance” style. But we are nowhere near disciplined enough to defend out a game and win the arm wrestle. There is no real evidence to suggest that we’re a team that plays for field position and relies on a kick for points. It’s just a strange hybrid of them all.

This is a great spot.

It's because PM is not a half. He's nowhere near a half. We have one injured, one on loan and one in the academy (assuming Hayes isn't in either of the former states).

Powell chose PM over having these 2 halves in place. His decision and obviously has his reasons but the great post above shows that just because a guy lines up at 7, doesn't mean he's very good at it. Utility and versatility are great if you can at least perform in that position.

It's nothing to do with bringing in a replacement for him. We have an abundance of big forwards already. Something else has changed. We're not fluid enough in attack, our defense no leaves a lot to be desired. After last seasons debacle there was always going to be a response and we seen that in the first 7 games, now the cue has been put firmly back on the rack and performances that we witnessed last season have returned.

Anyone who thinks Powell is the man to lead Warrington to the next level is deluded beyond belief.

I've made a list of players currently not good enough:

Mata'utia, Minkin, Ratchford, Currie, Dufty, Philbin, Dudson.

Apart from Philbin, Mr Powell signed or gave an extension to every single one of them.

And he’s bringing in Dwyer and talking Matautia out of retirement, he also signed Holmes

As for route one forward play, it isn't a very good strategy to sign 10 minute players when your whole attack is based on such a plan,, especially when the last few seasons have seen substitutions reduced

Absolutely. KP said himself we needed to hit the straps running to win our fans back. So we looked world beaters against lesser clubs, and the big clubs we had avoided, were steadily improving into the season.
The team is in love with themselves, as was our CEO.
Now they’ve took a big bump and pulled us won over fans with them.

KP??

Peanut matautia?

Well i was angry yesterday and i am still angry today, i will not be attending another match until they start to earn there money. I work hard to pay for a ticket and i honestly think i am wasting my money at the moment.

My problem is, I'll have a season ticket if we end up in League 1 tbh. I don't clap every performance and I get frustrated at decisions but with zero interest in soccer, I'm stuck with these lot for life!! The b@stards

I’m hoping some oil plundering Arabians take us over so I can stop watching out of protest.

There's a possibility of a world cup in Qatar, that could help on that front.

Dear god. It just gets worse for DP.

….obviously Eamonn Holmes.

When DP took over he talked about building a Dynasty. Have to say the last 2 weeks has felt more like watching Knots Landing.

We don't need money men as we have them already thank god. What we need is strong leadership from the top down and we are a million miles from that and we need a strong coach with the ability to manage change once a game starts.

Knots Landing was a Dallas spinoff.

We played better when the lads were out on the every night

Yes. There were any number of American melodramas I could have used. From a rhetorical point of view going with Dynasty twice seemed to reduce the whimsy. Ah well. Back to the drawing board.

I didn’t realise this was from 2022.

DP doesn’t read SM… doesn’t believe in it.

Also says PM is class and he’ll continue to back him whichever position he plays.

Talk about burying your head in the sand!