Roberts is improving without doubt and he's coming up with some great tackles at crucial points so thats nice but he needs to stop hesitating as much when he gets the ball.

I can't help but cry out at mtaches for him to just pin his ears back and go for it instead of dancing about on the spot.

Not a clue how he managed not to get the try in the right corner in the 2nd half! It was harder not to score.

He scored. Was a poor call from the TJ.

I thought he probably did aswell but it shouldn't have even been close.

He had an age to dive in yet decided to jump about on the spot instead of just diving over.

I think it's probably just a confidence issue with him and the overall signs are good enough.

He's been better then either Richards or Scott Donald at Leeds in their debut seasons and they're probably the best 2 allround wingers in superleague.

My original point is Phelps is technically poor in defence, he must not play centre. Phelps is a part of the back 3, we have 5 players capable of playing in the back 3, 3 of which can play 1. If we retain Phelps i worry Roberts will not be given a run at 1 which he needs. If Roberts gets a run at 1 i think he will make it his own. If he does not get a run at 1 he will be given the nod over Ainscough on the Wing. This is without even considering Pryce as a first team option. For me our squad lack balance. I see the merits of Phelps for 1 more year, but in truth we have enough cover and support in the backs we are a similar position with Bailey. Nobody can doubt his commitment but the opportunity cost of having him in our squad is too great in my opinion.

Phelps also made at least two major errors one that led to a try. He is a player who gives 100% but like TL who also gives 100% isn't a natural in his current position in the side IMO. I though Phelps was pretty shaky under kicks (as was Roberts). I think he is going to get exposed at some point as not as good as some people like to think.

Being better than Mathers isn't the only qualification required to be Wigan FB.

Dave

I thought he was pretty poor all round. For once he was given the ball in space on more than one occasion and he wasn't fast enough to get away completely. Got caught each time.

It was his error that coughed up possession that gave Salford the set of six from which they put up the bomb he dropped. I am pretty certain he made one or two other handling errors as well.

If Ainscough had a game like that it would be being cited on here as him not being ready.

Dave

Two things then.

What do you consider his natural position?

The Mathers comment - true, it isn't, but that doesnt prevent him from being the best fullback at the club either!

History would say Roberts is the better 1. He is a good player, needs a bit of a run in my opinion. I expect big things from Roberts in 2010.

you having a laugh phelps defence pulled out of the sh@t how many times tonight just love the bull sh@t on this site

Technically he is poor, he puts his body on the line but that does not mean he is quality. I have never seen a player get it so wrong in such a short time regards his defensive technique, he has been destroyed in defence when playing in the centre because of it and in big games against good teams will again.

Tommy-looked very dangerous ball in hand
Lockers-once again, brilliant
Smith-we look so much more organised in attack when he plays

Mentions to

Phelps-100% commitment


Feka-started to run straight again


Hock-defence is poor but no-one better going forward

Even thought Fielden had an alright game

I thought Roberts had a Good Game!

He scored in the corner IMO plus it wasn't the "Easy" walk in some are suggesting!
Helped set up one in the the first 5 mins.
Was perfect on his positioning for Kick return and didn't miss a tackle all night as far as I could see (Struggle sometimes to make out what's going in in corner near West & North!)
He did "Drop" one when he went round the outside 2nd half but IMO the Defender actually punched/reefed the ball out.
Came out the line 2nd half to cut off potential Salford tries and 1 in particular eas a smashing Hit that Salford coughed up possession on and helped stem the "Mini" Salford revivial.

The "Missed" Bomb is a slight worry but he got Up very well to attempt it and IMHO it was as much to do with the lack of Help from Tim Smith as anything!
They put one up 10 mins later and Smith walked back looking at the ball instead of "Checking" the attackers to Help out.
Gleeson was trying to stop 4 coming through on Rberts and Smith Didnt Help.

My View

People looking to find reason to have a go at someone and create a "Scapegoat" for when things don't go so well in games as their usual one didn't do too bad!

PS

2 x convincing wins against Salford who have already beaten Leeds Away, Hull Away,Hudds Away, Wire & Bradford (Although that's not saying much I know!) and still some people only want to focus on Negatives!

Just over a week ago Salford were coming here supposedly "Confident" and we would have taken 2 x wins and snatched your hands off!

I thought we were Very good for the 1st 25/30 mins and then struggled to control the game from there on in until the last 15/20 mins or so.

Smith didn't help as he failed to realise what Salford's Game plan 2nd half was going to be, Niggly,Lay off side etc but we controlled that Tactic better with 20 mins to go!

I wonder Why?

I don't know what Roberts has to do to please some of our fans, if any of you think he was poor last night then there is no hope for him

. I thought he was very dangerous and good in defence last night. The team have obviously been told to give more ball to Gleeson and Roberts and both of them had good games last night as a result.

Once he gets all his confidence back, I think we have a very good player on our hands.

Not totally disagreeing Jon but I'm afraid at present the current "Back 3" are the best option we have IMHO!
They form the Best Defesive set up & we are a Better attacking Side with it as well.

Correct!

And there were some good signs between Gleeson/Roberts, Timing was just a touch off but it's better than nayhting we have had attacking & defensively in a Good While!

He never will because he isn't the best winger/player in the world nor go by the name Shaun Ainscough.

TBH I've felt the same since the Maundy Thursday fixture v Saints at the JJB, he played fantastic that night and has kept up his form for us since that game.

Starting to prove a few doubters wrong Phelps.

Piggy
Richards
Phelps

Special mention to Coley, who ran some hard yards and Hock, who battered them about a bit.

Tommy was MOTM IMO. Tore Salford apart in the first 15 minutes.

Myler got spotted time and time again in defence...

how did the Hitman do at prop?

Smith was brilliant in the first half, most had good games.

He made some hard yards when he was on and i was very surprised at his leg drive strength as well.

in no particular order, and more than 3



roberts - good all round game
coley - a lot of good defensive work, and has learnt when to offload
tommy - awsome first 20
piggy - steadied the ship in the 2nd half

I thought he was very poor and was one of your worst players. He made loads of mistakes and looked very dodgy at full back. Wigan surely have better players than him to play full back.

I thought Leuluai I was your best player and he has impressed me a lot whenever I have seen him this season.