Trent Barrett was a master at the Cross field kick then sprinting forward in a straight line to play everyone onside . Player's lack of knowledge of the rules is a problem IMO these days.

Regards EW

I think they all know it but it's a trade off. On a long downfield kick the forwards will often set off well ahead of the kick knowing that they'll have to give 10 (which is better than getting there when they would have done if they set off in line with the kicker). That leaves the kicker no opportunity to run them onside. Plus teams generally like to get kick pressure on, meaning the kicker goes to ground and can't run anyone onside, and even risks getting caught in possession if he doesn't stand deep enough.

I find the refs often shout give 10 and it literally looks like 5meters given. (In situations where kicker hasn’t become furthest on the chase)

Yeah it should be 10 but I'd agree with that. Don't forget it's 10 in any direction though, so if a player is running sideways or diagonally he won't get 10 metres forward.

Just watching CC cas kick 3 players offside Roby knocked on, ball to cas either the touch judge or ref not looking at players

I’ve no idea what set of rules we are playing to each game I watch any more.

The rules on offside are the same everywhere.

A step in the right direction from the props/loose forwards on Friday looking at the stats. A really good shift from both Havard and Partington and better numbers from Singleton and Clubb (although his increase in carries was offset against a drop in tackles made to a whopping 8 )

Havard
Carries-14
Metres-124
Tackles-37

Partington
Carries-11
Metres-97
Tackles-51

Singleton
Carries-9
Metres-70
Tackles-31

Clark-
Carries-7
Metres-50
Tackles-13

Clubb
Carries-6
Metres-52
Tackles-8

Shorrocks
Carries-5
Metres-41
Tackles-20

There’s work to do but it’s better than it has been.

Miles better.

Let's see if we can do it consistently starting against Wakey.

His selection will be interesting in a week or two with Isa, Powell, Bullock and Byrne due back this week and Bateman, Smithies and Field not far behind. He should have enough depth to really push the forwards on and make them earn a spot. If he just does his usual of always picking Clubb and the kids and runs the kids in to the ground to make sure Clubb doesn’t have to do more than 15 minutes, then he’s not learnt a thing over this bad spell.

Be gutted for Clark if he gets dropped, the more minutes he gets the better he looks but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him sat down again by Lam

Partington was superb I thought. Not prop related but Farrell and KPP over 100m too, great games.

Competition for places in the front row is the dream but I’m sure we’ll pick up more injuries and bans.

I think most will want KPP in the 17, so that leaves Bateman or Isa possibly going to loose forward and Partington would be one of the 4 props, as would Ethan Havard. If that’s the case you may be looking at 2 props from 5 of Clubb, Singleton, Byrne, Bullock and Clark. I’d like to think it’ll be picked on merit but I’d be surprised if it isn’t picked in that order I noted, regardless of how they all do.

I can't wait to watch Havard play in, what should be, a much improved pack next year. Another 12 months development & plenty of options to share the load.

His confidence looks to be on the up now after a slow start. He’s really hitting some half gaps at good pace now and is back to looking like comfortably our best prop. His potential is absolutely massive and it would be nice to think we could tie him down pretty soon.

Byrne shouldnt be straight in, hes a flopper in defence and is dominated in attack

If all fit and healthy in two week I’d go with something like this

Bullock
Powell
Havard
Farrell
Pierce-Paul
Bateman

Partington
Clark
Shorrocks
O’Neil

I can’t imagine that’s what we’ll see and it’s a lightweight bench that I must admit so I imagine you’ll see Singleton and Clubb in for Clark and O’Neil

Yeah, with that sort of pack, and only two props on the bench... You could give Shorrocks a rest, and bring in another prop. But it would need to be someone who puts in decent minutes and decent meterage (is that a word?

). Someone, frankly, who is going to contribute at least as much to the cause as Shorrocks does, in fact.

Not sure why Bullock or Byrne would get in ahead of Clark atm. Say what you want about Mitch but he's changed the direction of two successive games. Plus if Joe is still presenting with cold symptoms they likely won't risk him in games or training and Liam looks like a few weeks off would do him good.

Bring Powell, Isa and Hastings back in but no need to bring in Byrne or Bullock atm for me.

Clark isn’t the best prop in the World, he isn’t the best prop at Wigan, but he is different.

He’s not a drone.

Our forwards tend to be drones.

KPP and Clark serve up something different.

I’m not sure if it’s Wane’s involvement with the club or circumstances which have seen them get a chance (I think it’s coincidence) but due to the fact they are different both in my opinion must remain in the 17.

Byrne isn’t in that lineup and Clark is on the bench so Not sure where you’ve gathered that from? and Bullock deserves to be in the team after showing some good performances in the last few weeks considering he gets played very little game time. Bullock and Havard are our two best props imo and should be starting

I’m really disappointed in Bullock and his recent upturn in form given it seems to have coincided with him signing elsewhere.

After early promise he has been poor for us and only now does he appear to be getting back to reasonable form and putting his hand up.

There is no room for sentiment in professional sport and given our issues in the prop department beggars can’t be choosers but in an ideal world where we had more quality he wouldn’t play again for Wigan for me. He clearly has potential but lacks the mental strength/resilience to consistently perform.

I agree with that although I feel he’s been poorly managed by Lam not only in team performances but also on a personal level, like you say it’s a shame because he has everything you need to be a Alex walmsley for example but he doesn’t do anywhere near enough of the hard graft when we need it and his defence can be scratchy at times. Will be interesting to see how he goes at Wire

Doesn’t look like he’s got a competitive bone in his body unfortunately. He has the natural attributes to be one of the very best but is sadly lacking in the mental aspects of the game.

It’s a very minor thing and it’s probably the club telling him to stay away but he missed the game from feeling unwell last week and spent the weekend posting pictures on social media of him away in the Lakes with his missus. That just seems a bit dense to me and raises questions in my mind about the rumours of him having a lax attitude. He surely has to box a bit clever in that situation.

I’d be reducing his games personally, only relying on him in case of injuries or mid week fixtures.

Decent go forward but penalty/6 again machine.

Would rather give Bryne/Havard/Shorrocks/Smithies/Oli P game time and development time over getting Bullock primed and ready for Wire next year. Even Clark over him (as Clark may still be with us next year)

And before anyone says it, this argument doesn’t cover to Gildart/Hassall or Hastings/ Smith as Gildart and Hastings have proved quality players, Bullock hasn’t.