Just a massive effort for 80 mins. I thought Shorrocks and Smith were superb but the whole team just wanted it more. Saints will be far better next time but we can be way better as well, once we have more threat.

What a game from both sides. RFL have got next years advert right there

Almost faultless performance. Saints didn’t take their chances because of the efforts of people like Shorrocks and Farrell to chase back. Toby King was excellent, I’m sure he recognises he needs to be at that level more often and it was a delight to see actual centres play both sides of the game well. Only negative was Singleton, 11 mins and dragged off. If it wasn’t for injuries I think he’d be well out of the 17 going forward.

Any news on Cooper?

Great result and enjoyable game. Brilliant to see a packed stadium again and so much income for the club.

Our superior energy and defensive intensity won us that game. We controlled Saints really well at the ruck. Smith's kicking game also very strong. We were never going to score lots of tries today but we saw the value of having two specialist centres and Smith/French executed well with those two tries.

For Saints, Konrad Hurrell was almost unstoppable going forward but his lateral movement can let him down and we managed to exploit that. Welsby/Dodd were poor and generally the forward pack didn't look to have the same impetus that it has done in recent years. But still very dangerous and if they'd had put the ball down in that no try video decision it would have been very nervy.

Hope Cooper and Matuaita are OK.

Full credit to Wigan, came with a game plan and Peet did his homework.

That said we take one or two chances of the 5 we bombed and it’s a different story. Wigan were clinical in taking theirs. There’s a scrum play with the easiest walk in try if Lomax gives it to Percival and yet he keeps hold of it. Last season that’s probably a try. Fine margins.

I thought Shorrocks was outstanding today for Wigan in all fairness.

For Saints we need some changes. I’d put Welsby in the halves because he’s struggling at 1 and needs to be on the ball more. I’d probably give Ritson a go too as we’ve no pace and Hopoate is a passenger.

Good to see a great game in front of a packed house in the sun.

First blood to Wigan.

We bombed a few chances too and could have had 18 on the board at half time. Overall I thought we were good, especially considering a second row was filling in at stand off. It was the most disciplined performance I’ve seen from us in a long time.

I thought St Helens simply didn’t have a plan B with Walmsley being out and Paasi a passenger.

I’m with you on Hopoate, not sure what he brings to your side.

There’s more to come from both sides, for now 1-0 and a most enjoyable afternoon.

I don't see what use Hopoate is to you as a winger I have to say. He's a fullback first and centre next.

Yes I agree with you. Passi looked unfit and was clearly a gamble that didn’t work. Delaney didn’t look out of place in such a big game for a young kid so he’ll come on for that.

They controlled the ruck well Wigan today and played at a high intensity. Augurs well for the rest of their season with a full team.

Didn't see the game so can't coment on it
But I agree with you about Welsby going the halves Dodd is well off the pace at the min could with a spell in the reserves to get hid confidence back

You're joking aren't you?

No.

The Knowles clean break and pass to Shorrocks.
Makinson trying to beat French on the outside rather than stepping inside
Lomax clean break when Farrell bats it back
A bombed 2 on 1 from a scrum 20 metres out
Welsby clean break, no one in support
Knowles not grounding it properly for the no try (correct decision)

There’s large elements of Wigan scrambling well to defend but I can’t recall us making as many clean breaks for a long time. On another day we convert those, that’s what I’m saying.

It’s like the Liverpool 7-0 against Utd. They had 8 shots all game and scored 7. They’ve scored one goal since.

Wigan were clinical today.

A bit more composure and we win that by 10 today. Whilst I’m disappointed I’m not massively worried yet about the games that matter at the end of the season.

Big win that to really get our season running.

Across the park we were good. Fronted up, a whole team defensive effort whether that be up the middle or scrambling back/out wide, and I thought had the upper hand with the energy and intensity. Yeah sure Saints maybe take some of those chances on another day, but you make your own luck and our efforts were rewarded.

Smith and Shorrocks in the halves, excellent stuff today. Could have really been a problem for us but they stood up to be counted.

I like you Stu but you were well AND TRULY beaten today.

The only time I thought you had a chance today was the disallowed try. I sat there excited at that stage that it was a 2 point game.

Apart from that mate......you cannot seriously believe you were in it?!

We were second best for a lot of the game but still created more clear chances that with more composure sees us win the game.

Most of your fans on here to be fair are referencing them too. You scrambled superbly to prevent a couple no question but we need to improve on our support as with so many clean line breaks we should’ve converted more.

You didn’t have the energy because that first 15 mins in the second half we absolutely obliterated you in field position. That period you went from carrying the ball to the half way line, then struggling to get to your 40 then pushed back to the 30. As a Wigan fan it was great to see we could be disciplined like that, we’ve lacked it for such a long time. Singleton turned the game in your favour for the next 20, making the unfortunate high shot and giving you field position. Up to that point, it was a perfect start to the second half.

Sorry mate. I think you're talking complete and utter .

If we play until June you still dont win

I've said it all week and day BTW that today decides nothing.

We will need to beat Saints once if not twice to take the trophies home. We proved today that we can.

I said we were second best for a lot of the game. How is that complete and utter rubbish? Or do you think you dominated for 80 mins?

Secondly did we or did we not create more clear line breaks?

That’s all I’ve said.

Wigan deserved the win but that’s a strange take. We were a dropped ball over the line from a 2 point game and bombed several clean breaks.

+1 That game was a credit to the sport. I want to see that kind of contest every week.

But Stu, winning is all about getting over the whitewash. Wigan were good value for their win today. I thought that Wigan won the arm wrestle and controlled Saints for long periods. The only try Saints scored was from a kick which tells you something about Wigan’s defence. One noticeable thing is that Saints lack pace and that should be of concern going forward. I thought it was a cracking game where 34 players gave it everything.

Wigan are more fluent and threatening without Cust.

Correct.

Or as Stu wants us to believe .... Wigan lost and Saints won.

Brilliant day, the DW gets some stick but on a sunny Good Friday with 24,000 in its super league at its very best. Fantastic Atmosphere.

Some rambling thoughts on the game -

This will forever in my mind be known as the “Joe Shorrocks game”. This is what most clubs miss out on. A local lad, academy product who was willing to bust a gut to get the job done for his club. He kept it simple with the ball and his try savers were great.

Peet got the team spot on, I think O’Neill would have struggled with the intensity for 80 minutes and Powell is such a good defender and bossed the ruck.

Harry Smith is one of our best players, class today. Was worried that over the next few months he’d start getting stick as he’s under huge pressure but he was massive today. His defence has improved.

Smithies, Havard, Byrne, - for the last few years these lads have struggled against, being young rookies but this felt like a coming of age game. They really stood up as legit experienced superleague players and got the best of Saints pack.

Mike Cooper had his best game in a Wigan shirt hope he’s not too long. (Singo’s lazy arm after he’d been on a minute nearly cost us).

We were out Saintsing Saints at times. The 10 minutes before Kings try. We line speeding them to death and they could barely make 30m a set then the broke.

King, Miski’s yardage carries were excellent and helped the pack massively.

On Saints thought Hurrell was absolutely immense with ball in hand, game changer.

Roby is the SL GOAT in my mind but he showed his age today. He was well off the pace.

Great day for the club.