Good post The Reaper (I can't quote it for some reason)

I think Wello has served a much better apprenticeship than KC and has seemingly contributed to our success over the last few years. Last season there was mitigation too - an away WCC trip, a severe injury list and only just tipped off in two semi finals (we won ten on the spin between these two games to finish joint top). I think he made some good signings too and there was every reason to be optimistic this year IMO. Things are completely different now though and the longer Wellens has been coaching the worse we have been playing.

Tactically we are completely reliant on a full pack and he doesn't have the ability or the inclination to change things around when we don't have one. The playmakers are either out of form, playing injured and/or past it, but they must be collectively bored stiff by being stifled into repeatedly dropping off passes or kicking for defensive territory. They should be looking for more work but if it's against the tactics..?

Five blokes in the coaching box and not one positive idea or even slight deviation from the plan, even when we are behind late in the game. The decision to kick for two at 4-0 up on your opponents line with half an hour left was the most bizarre, negative and uninspiring decision I've seen in a long time. Simultaneously got the crown even more on the teams back whilst giving Cas the belief that we had fired our shot and didn't think we could score. Bearing in mind this is a team we put 60 on a month ago!

His use of interchanges is woeful and seemingly pre-programmed around these archaic tactics. This week Burns and Stephens came on and made a difference but they didn't get enough opportunity to turn the game our way despite looking capable of doing so (especially against this particular opposition). Last week he used 6/8 on the hottest day of the year, one of which was in the last minute and another one hurriedly made after the player he brought on was playing out of position and got smashed first carry.

Friday was a real turning point for me and these issues feed into the longer term plan of integrating this highly rated group of young lads and balancing the squad with signings and retentions. Can we trust Wellens to give these lads a fair shot at making it when they only get a brief opportunity out of necessity? And who externally would want to come into this rigid structure that bores the fans and players?

Whether he's signed again or not he needs to quickly make some positive changes or else the writing is on the wall and it's just a matter of when he gets his cards.

Two good posts there from SFW and The Reaper

Just had a look at the hanidcap for Friday. Wigan are -10. I wonder when the last time was that Wigan were -10 against Saints. The bookies aren't usually far off.

As bad as we were we are still perfectly capable of defending well for a full game. The price for Wigan to win is buying money barring a couple of red cards but we are rarely blown out of the water.

I agree with Stu and would be very surprised if we didn't win this one with some to spare. This current Wigan team is simply better than Saints. That's not opinion but is supported by the facts. A team that holds every available trophy, has already pouched the 2 available this year and sits 4 points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand is clearly the best in the league.

However, this is a derby and there are numerous examples of both sides turning form on its head so I certainly won't be counting any chickens just yet. Bring it on!

Our record in the games in and around us (ie Top 5) since Wellens took over is appalling, something like 4 wins out of 15 with one of those being Good Friday where we didn't look like scoring until the red card. This is notoriously a game you either look forward to or dread and I'm afraid I'm the latter this week.

The disciplinary have decided to even things up.

Honestly, I absolutely despise the lot of them.

Won't let me quote you but O Neill not playing won't be the difference between a Wigan win or not.

We're all out of hookers though Stu. Both Leeming and Forber injured and O'Neil banned (absolute joke of a decision). Hooker is such a pivotal position that it will definitely even things up even if it doesn't prove to be the difference between a win and a loss.

I thought the sinbinning was ridiculous but to ban him as well it utter b*****ks

Farrimond to 9, Keighran to 6, Eckersley to 3 would be my guess.

The decision to sin-bin O'Neill was bad enough, but the ban is absolutely stupid. To top it all off, Mike Cooper has been given a £250 fine for being knocked-out by Mulhern's head. Honestly, this disciplinary panel are an absolute farce. How anyone can say Wigan are favoured by them is beyond me.

O'Neill's suspension is bonkers.

We could go Keighran to hooker and Eckersley in for a little less disruption also, probably my favourite choice. I would rather not split up Farrimond and Smith if that is what we are looking at running until Field returns. I think any uncertainty regarding French still being effective for us at fullback can be put to bed now so as long as Farrimond is performing and confident in himself, keeping them 2 together makes the most sense for us.

Other option would be next cab off the hooker rank, would that be our academy hooker? Not sure who that would be and how ready they would be for what would be a huge step up.

No appeal for O’Neill so he’s out.

He’s a massive blow given the other hookers are out.

My main priority for a 9 is them holding up defensively in the middle of the field so I’d consider Farrell there. With Walters starting back row. Simple job of tackling everything that moves and giving the ball to Smith/Farrimond and French.

Keighrans another option but not sure how he’d hold up defensively.

Hampshire could spell there too.

Farrell is probably the best option, we know he'll have no issues defending and can do the 80, all he needs to concentrate on is getting the ball out of dummy half asap

O'Neill's is about as clear a ban as you are likely to find if you simply apply the rules. Legs over the horizontal in the execution of a tackle.

I thought we were meant to never write off the saints ?

I've seen half a dozen tackles this weekend when the attackers legs have been beyond the horizontal but no action has been taken. We move on and use it as motivation. Both teams will now have four players missing from their squad.

SFW:

Those aren't the rules. You're just making things up. For it to be an offence according to the *actual* rules, the tackle has to involve either lifting or throwing, neither of which O'Neil does.

A bit left field (and probably won't even be under consideration) but Miski to hooker might not be a bad shout. Strong in the carry, good defensively and a good engine. Plus we wouldn't lose anything bringing Eckersley/Douglas in. Maybe hasn't got the distribution but then neither has Farrell.

Had to search to see if Hamsphire has experience at Hooker and it seems he has. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/34781347.amp Now it's not ideal, i get it. But moving Hampshire straight in rather than moving two-three other players out of position has to be an option surely?

Had to search to see if Hamsphire has experience at Hooker and it seems he has. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/34781347.amp Now it's not ideal, i get it. But moving Hampshire straight in rather than moving two-three other players out of position has to be an option surely?

I reckon put someone like Faz to hooker with Hampshire on the bench to try and liven things up a bit.

Is Ratchford not available to play? Not seen any reserve team rugby this year so can’t comment on his recent form but he was very good last year for the Academy and was for me clear MOM in the Academy semi final last year.

If Cooper hadn’t been knocked out he would have likely got a yellow if not red, would have 100% been a red had Mulhern been knocked out and Cooper fine.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... 1720457602 Looks like next off the rank it is going off Peet's comments. Good luck to the lad.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... 1720457602 Looks like next off the rank it is going off Peet's comments. Good luck to the lad.