What i don't like with catalans and Greg bird in particular is there was nowt up with him when Farrell tackled him without the ball i thought it was more to do with self preservation on Farrell's part but he went down like jesus on the cross yet i know we got an 8 point try when Simon went in with the knees i would personally prefer just the 6 points and them getting sin binned for what was a 3-4 feet knee slide into his ribs and then he ends up in the advertising boards,for me Hicks never had any control over the game and it was only through our players showing restraint that there wasn't a brawl

Debatable who’s fault that was. Looking at it again Navarrete rushes out and stopped the halfback getting the ball and Smithies should do better on Micky Mac (along with the markers).

Navarrete was excellent IMO. He made 25 tackles and 123 metres last night and that’s a great effort in what wasn’t a load of minutes on the field. I think somebody on here commented previously that it’s a shame he can’t play against a French team every week.

One thing I noted was Hardaker‘ body language and how he was always the first over to celebrate when someone had scored, he’s probably the most passionate Wigan player atm and seems to be really be enjoying his time with us, I genuinely believe next year he’ll be MOS next year playing off the back of Hastings as his attack will only get better

I noticed that too, practically the first man in on the scorer every time...

Don’t want to jinx it but Zak has been outstanding for us, better than expected even. Safe as houses under the high ball and returns the ball hard every time. If he can just add a bit more attacking threat he is literally the complete fullback, never mind his excellent goal kicking!

And the first over to young Harry Smith when he threw that bad ball. Seems to be a great team player.

Very impressed with Smith's speed of pass but he has to learn that just because he can get the ball away does not mean that he should.

I just watched the extended highlights back, and thought, just as I did when I left the stadium, that much as I enjoyed The French Show, we will need to improve a lot on that to reach and win the GF.

If we put our selves in the position where we are forced to defend for twenty minutes we will struggle. I cannot see Warrington or Saints heads going down and letting us back in.

You sure about that





They have both got themselves a bit of a reputation

On the subject of Sarginson. I will admit i am not a fan, i got bored of 'the step' after about 6 games and he never passes, however i wholly agree about his work rate and endeavour, there aren't many in the team with that sort of work ethic it's just a pity he can't combine the 4. Bibby is a very underrated player. He scores every week, Salford are 3rd so he must have something about him. He is younger and has a lot more scope for improvement than Sarge. We needed Sarge out to help with the signings of French, Hastings and Burgess and if sacrificing Sarge for Bibby is part of that process then i will take it.

OK, we defended well, but the other thing that concerns me is, and I don't want to sound churlish saying this, most of the tries we have scored in recent weeks have largely been the results either of gifts from the opposition, or, more commonly, some something-out-of-nothing piece of individual play. Which is great to watch, but there was little sign of building pressure, getting repeat sets. etc, which is the surest recipe against top opponents.

I would agree with that. However I've not really seen it from any of our immediate challengers in recent weeks either and I'll gladly take the ability to defend and have the individuals who can make something out of nothing right now. That gives us more than a chance in a final. With Flower and O'Loughlin (and possibly Bullock) I think we have a chance to better the parts of the game where we're currently falling a bit short.

I think that this is pretty spot on.
We have very little options in our kicking to cause too many issues with well drilled defences.
I'm just enjoying the ride at the moment.
For the first time in a while I jumped out for seat to cheer the second try from French which was a little cameo in itself.
The Cas game I think will be a tough one and for me Cas could be the dark horse in the playoffs.

One word Mr Chairman Jarrod Sammut.

Honestly believe his kicking game would be the difference between us having a dig and being genuine contenders.
I think we look a much more balanced team with him in it.

Can he play in a "moon boot"?
And if he can who would you drop?

He was at the fanzone before the match on Friday Brian, no boot on. Didn't notice any limping either, hopefully his injury was only minor.

He can only come in for Powell or Leuluai and he can’t defend anywhere near that standard. We’ve won 11 out of 12, I’ll stick with what we have thanks.

I think it should be four forwards on the bench in the playoffs. French should start on the wing.

And therein lies the problem. Our halves aren’t doing it atm but who would be brave enough to drop anyone?

He plays at scrum half. Powell and Leuluai fight it out for the 9 jersey.

Especially when Lockers may be one of those four and he can cover the half’s, to allow Tommy to them cover the hooking role.

I’d start this on Thursday with Greenwood moving up to replace the banned Farrell and a bench of Flower, Lockers, Byrne and Navarrete.

This. Sammutt is nowhere near the standard of Powell or Tommy and would be a target and a liability.

I’m surprised by Sammut, in the limited chances he has had I’ve been reasonably impressed. I would like to have seen him have an extended run. For whatever reason That hasn’t happened. Now is not the time to start chopping and changing unless we have no choice, especially as the team has been doing the business.

Yeah, that's about my take on it too.