Anyone want to talk about Mossop he is seemingly anonymous does 20 mins and he is hardly ever noticed after that,

That's true about Charnley. When Burgess gets the ball 30m out with a couple of defenders on him, he always looks he has a chance of squirming past them and heading North at a rate of knots (and sometimes does). And in fact you could say the same for Sarge. Haven't felt that about Charnley this season.

+1, and MickyMac has re introduced the obligatory forward pass at the most crucial point of the match. Wigan had no rhythm going forward last night, all the passes fell way behind or blantantly forward, on another day they would have come off. It was so dissappointing because the conditions were near perfect for our game style

Bowen wasn't the only bad thing about last night's performance but he still made crucial errors that directly led to tries. He's made errors like that far too frequently in his time at Wigan, particularly in big games. You can't fault his ability to make one on one tackles to stop breaks. He's exceptional at that. When it comes to kicks though he's been prone to silly errors. He was brilliant against Leeds after a long rest. He's had some excellent games previously too, but they've been few and far between. It seems that if we are going to see the best of Bowen he's going to have to be managed very carefully, missing games frequently.
At the moment though it's getting to the point where it's worth asking if it's sensible to persevere? These costly errors keep happening. He's a shadow of his former self and seems to struggle to be fully fit? Is it worth it? Does he offer anything that no player could replace?

Personally I think Burgess would make an excellent fullback so should be considered as an option when Manfredi returns. He's solid under the high ball, would be a bigger threat than Bowen from kicks, has bags of pace and has shown himself to have excellent handling skills too.

If not Burgess, then give Gabe Fell a few games when Bowen is out of the side. He's playing well enough for the under 19's and is a better fullback than Tierney and Hampshire.

I don't think enough credit was given to Wilkin for the kick. It was outstanding and I doubt many full backs would have taken that.

Re Charnley, it wouldn't matter who's on the right wing at the moment with Tomkins at centre, he cannot pass from left to right, all a defence needs to do is slide and wait for the inevitable backhanded pass to the winger who's then got nowhere to go.
Tomkins needs to be back in the forwards now.

A comedy of second half errors, too many penalties again, and a great deal of luck and good fortune went Saints way. No doubt they deserved the win but for me the rot started in the first half when we turned down the two points on offer and chose to run the ball to no account. Second half either we, or the Gods gifted them too many crazy points. But they say you make your own luck and they did last night.

Mostly spot on.... And I can't disagree Bowen didn't play at his best, one cock-up and one almost impossible to catch spiralling bomb. But the thing is how can we forget how good of a player he is and more importantly can be? Remember the Leeds game? you don't go from world class to sh _ _ e overnight!!!

Let's not forget this is a team sport and requires a team effort! I could go on for ages picking out the best & worst in the players on the night but there is little point, we just have to take this one on the chin.

Final thoughts John.... I think Williams is brilliant and an outstanding prospect for the future. Smith was too hyped up and desperate stick one on his hometown club that dumped him. And as for Charnley I think its sometimes as simple as a lack of confidence due to some horrendous injury's he has suffered in the recent past.... thing is on paper he is still a top try scorer!

=#FFFFFF.

Bowen has been mostly e for us.

Clearly an exceptional player cashing one last cheque before he retires to the knackers yard.

Form is temporary. One blip against Leeds doesn't mask the fact that he has been poor throughout his tenure here.

I remember wigan fans saying he would be the best fullback in the league when he signed.

I will keep McDonnell thanks

Regards

King James

Good for you men, we'll give that Tomkins bloke a try

i thought you were a wire fan?

I thought he was a Chorley Borough fan

TAke Bowen's 2 gaffs out and I thought he cleared up quite a bit for you. He had a lot to do and we had you under a lot of pressure. I also wouldn't underestimate the ability for those high, spiral bombs to swerve and make a fool out of the catcher.

Forget the replacement hooker. Have a halfback on the bench. Give Smith or Williams a slot covering MM and put Hampshire in at stand off and leave Bowen long enough to see if he is in the mood. That way we can cover Hooker, scrum half, stand off and fullback and make changes accordingly. It is not that different to what we did last year and it took the pressure off as well as giving us an option. The problem is that we would have to make some forwards do a few minutes more.

I'd probably start Hampshire on the bench. If Bowen has another case of dropsy than Hampshire can go in at #1. If Bowen is going o.k as against Leeds and Hudds Hampshire can be brought on at #6 and either Smith or Williams to #9 to give McIlorum a break.

In a way that makes more sense than using a dedicated bench hooker in Powell and bringing McIlorum off for 30-40 mins. It's so obvious that our intensity drops significantly when Powell spells McIlorum I don't know why he keeps doing it. I don't like changing halves during a game though which is why I'd be reluctant to play Hampshire off the bench. McIlorum is more than capable of playing big minutes and IMO against the likes of Saints, Wire and Leeds he should be left on for the full 80.

I thought he was a t!t - Oh, hang on - He is.

I would start with Hampshire and Williams in the halves with Smith on the bench who in my eyes seems completely out of form, in his general play, defence and kicking (including goal kicking). Let Smith spell MM and if things are not going to plan he can come back into the halves, plus Hampshire cant kick any worse than Smith as been doing lately.

Sean Wane has also said he has no qualms about Logan playing against us this week whilst he is on loan at Salford.

That's ridiculous. We never learn our lessons.

Kev Brown could've sent us to relegation when he played against us whilst on loan years ago.

So we're being *nicer* to Salford, who are our competitors, than Workington, who aren't?

When they're all fit I'd like to see one of Burgess, Manfredi or Charnley tried at FB with the other two on their wings.

Going slightly off topic I think that's where Burgess could end up at the Roosters with Tupou and SKD on the wings.

I' like to see Burgess at FB. Dom and Josh on the wing.

This way we have our best 3 outside backs on the field - when all fit.

Burgess has the height and size to help deal with kicks and 1-1 tackles. Has good passing ability and awareness of players around him,, and his broken field running is probably the best in SL. He'd make an awesome FB.