Think a few changes are to be made after that performance, we looked much better with French at fullback (Zak has made himself to look like a right tit saying he is the best fullback in the league and following it up with 2 terrible performances) and Smith gets a start every week for me even if Leuluai is fit. He needs to be our main goal kicker.

French
Manfredi
Hardaker
Isa
Bibby
Smith
Hastings
Singleton
Powell
Harvard
Farrell
Bateman
Partington

Smithies
Shorrocks
Bullock
Leuluai/Byrne

I’ve not had a chance to kick the cat yet before I can even start to think about the next game

I agree re Smith but he is showing some naivety in his last tackle options. That isn’t a reason to leave him out mind and it’ll improve over time

They were diabolical today close to the Hull line but the only way he improves I’d by playing.

As for the Leigh game, I don’t have an issue with the personnel on the field today. They’ve had a shocking day at the office but I’m pretty happy they’re our best players (and that’s a worry in some areas). If nobody else is back then same again bar Manfredi starting (who looked sharp which was pleasing), Isa at 12 and Bateman 13, with Partington dropping to the bench.

Byrne would be no where near my team, pathetic defence and couldnt catch a cold

He’s had a bad day in what’s been a good season so far.

hes not had a good season at all saying that we havent yet, struggled through games and today was just pathetic

Byrne has without any doubt in my mind had a good season so far. There’s no denying he was woeful today but he wasn’t on his own and he’s the least of our worries. Young Havard is worrying me more. It’s probably a case of second season syndrome but he’s being dominated quite comfortably at the minute. I expected him to kick on this season and even push for a World Cup spot but he’s struggling. He needs to find an aggressive streak from somewhere. That’s not going round punching people or kicking off but aggression to hit the line hard, aggression to keep pumping his legs in contact and aggression in defence. He’s a special talent for me but it all just looks a bit lethargic at the minute. It’s probably a sad indictment of where we find ourselves in the front row that we need to ask for so much more from a 20 year old kid.

1.French
2. Manfredi
3. Hardaker
4. Isa
5. Bibby
6. Hastings
7. Tommy

The powder puff pack picks itself.

Zak has been great at fullback individually great apart from the last 2 weeks but as a team we are significantly better with French at 1.

The aim of Wigan is to win trophies not be a conduit for Hardaker to get an international shirt at the expense of the teams success.

Smith can kick a goal, but off the back of today if Tommy is fit he plays every week.

Smiths last tackle plays have been shocking this season and by far the worst I’ve seen in some time today.

The lad clearly has talent but it’s a bit soon for him to take the step up at being out 7 at the moment.

so is all our pack, thats the main issue, Byrne is also a year older which is massive for a prop

I think we’ll all agree that’s the main issue. I can only think of one bigger issue but we’re stuck with him until at least the end of this season.

But French has been equally bad. Granted he's been out of position, but surely you have to perform to move someone that's been more than decent.

One game neither breaks or makes a season imo.

were they worse than Hastings? If they were you have to wonder why the more experienced former MOS didnt step up and try and take over them

I’d agree re Harvard. He looks like his hearts not in it.

does in the cup

Tongue in cheek I know, but if we go on to win the league it's all forgotten about.

probably not from IL

When French moved to fullback today the team looked significantly more dangerous and fluid in attack.

What makes you say that?

The general consensus is 1 trophy = one year contract, 2 = a 2 year deal.

If Lam wins the league, IL will extend his time with us.

He was our best prop today. Not that it says much, but he was the only one who was remotely difficult for Hull to bring down. I don't think he's matching his best performances from last season but I think he's a long way from 'hearts not in it'. I see plenty of effort from him and it's no surprise that our best spells so far this year tend to come when he's on the field. Our pack would be noticeably weaker without him.

***

As for the team for the next game, I think French needs to be back to fullback and Hardaker would presumably fit in at centre. If one of our back rowers is still needed at centre I think it should be Farrell. I don't see why he'd be the one to move into the pack when he's the one who has been impressing at centre and Smithies has been doing okay at left second row.

It was at a time when we had been given licence to move the ball around but I agree. Hardaker really should’ve kept his trap shut on the whole ‘I’m the best fullback’ thing. He’s had two nightmares since saying that and to me should now be moved back to centre. It’s always seemed the best thing for the team given the personnel we have but when you’re flying, how do you move him? But when you’ve had a couple of shockers you lose your grip on the spot.

Yeah that is true tbf.

I'm not against the change tbh, I'm just not full sold on the French dream. I think he's a good player, that can provide highlight reel moments. I do however think at their best, Zak is a better FB. If that the allows us to bring in a better centre, I'd argue the team is better balanced.

I wouldn’t go that far. He needs to find something inside himself to fulfil where I think he can go but that is to the very top of the game (internationals), so to see him drop off from last season is just a little surprising. I blame Lam for a lot of the issues in the prop department. The recruitment has been poor but there’s no doubt in my mind that Bullock and Havard aren’t being used enough. We started today with Singleton, Byrne and Partington in the middle and all three make less ground than Havard and Bullock (even with Havard not at his best).

the fact that if we win the CC then the club get a nice influx of cash....crashing out again with a p*ss poor performance must be grinding him, especially in the climate we are in

That’s a case of being our best prop, senior prop whilst still being a young inexperienced prop. He’s carrying the weight and expectation to make yards and carry the team forward on his shoulders, it’s little wonder he seems to be struggling a bit.