Im shocked at how much our defense has deteriorated in the off season, after listening to Wane and his vision of the "wigan way" soft defense was the last thing I expected, to be fair I have only seen us against Huds (unprepared), Widnes (will never get over that!), london (rubbish), warrington (rubbish). Have a season ticket just been away for the other games, so I could be cursed lol!

I wouldn't say we were "rubbish" against Warrington, for large periods our forwards dominated and we controlled the game. But we are conceding far too many points, I cant really put my finger on why the defence has gone so bad in a short period of time, the finger must point to Wane, he's obviously changed the defensive pattern of the team.

we will lose against Saints, i predict Mr Hock will try to hard and make several massive brainfarts that cost us dearly, if we are low on props for the match and a lot of pressure is put on Hock then i can see him cracking, i also doubt we will win any silverware this season, Waney just ain't got it imo, we are lacking in that killer instinct again and our tedious game spoiling defense has disappeared, 4th position at best imo

That actually makes me feel better when it's written down because we've played top teams and conceded=



Huddersfield- 20 points



Leeds- 6 points



Catalans- 12 points



Warrington- 22 points



When I look at it like that it's quite obviously an attitude issue rather then a technical one and our attitude will be spot on at Saints. We will always be in games where we concede fewer then 22 points or so because our attack is very good.

We dont seem to have the same intensity and pride in defending our own line under Wane as we did with Maguire, we have the players, whether it is an attitude issue is up for debate, but there's definately something "missing" with us this season.

So what if Gaz makes a few errors? If he doesn't try his passes (btw his work for Sam's first try was brilliant) then nobody will. We have to accept that Gaz will make mistakes but what he does give us is a player who is capable of winning a match

As for Wane, I think he needs to learn when its appropriate to grind it out in the forwards and do less of the brilliant skills he keeps talking about. Tbh I thought with Wane as coach our defence would be superb, but its got significantly worse. We'll find out a lot about Wane and our chances of silverware on Friday. If w can stave of the inevitable fast start from Saints, I think we'll be ok but I can just as easily see us slipping 12/18-0 down and being out of it, just like the Noble days!

I am more than happy to go into the good Friday derby as underdogs.

We'll be reet. Neither side will be blown away and call it optimism if you will, but I've got a feeling we'll beat Saints.

I agree, but not I'm not overly worried by it because a quick glance at other teams records shows that there defence isn't sparkling either?







Yet conceded far less against the Top teams???







Correct IMO.



PLUS



I think teams are getting used to the new 10 substitute rule and I think that may be having an effect on intensity with players having to play in slightly longer spells?







Me too!

Saints are the best team in the world again, we've got no chance, how can anyone possibly live with their sparkling brilliance?

Good point about the 10 subs rule Juke.

Well we've had a bit of an up and down start to the year. But now it's time for the match we've been waiting nearly 2 years for.



Wigan won the last ever game at KR. It is beyond imagination to let them win the first one at Langtree park as well. I still think it was a mistake to pass over the chance to play Wigan at KR in the playoffs, I thought it would be better to try and handle Wigan on our own patch one last time than meeting you in the GF.



I think form goes out the window for this game. When we were riding high some years back now, and Wigan were pushing out kids for the derby they still managed to over turn us. I thought with or without Simmons, this is a stand alone game and it will not tell either team much about the season.

We do seem to be playing well against the top teams and keeping their points down. I think we will score plenty next friday. Defence will be the key.