[Gareth] wrote:the only problem with the back row is noble. we probably have the strongest group of players in this area in SL
[Gareth] wrote:the only problem with the back row is noble. we probably have the strongest group of players in this area in SL
Imo if you look across the whole squad then we have a very good set of players that should have been more than able to put 30 points on that Wakefield team.
A back three of Richards, Roberts and Phelps is as strong as most in the league and has pace and power in abundance. Back ups of Ainscough or Pryce means we can cover injuries also.
Carmont and Goulding in the Centres are again just as good as any other in the league. Carmont proved he’s a class act and Goulding is just as good as say Gleeson at Wakefield, Gilmour, Talau, Watkins, Yeaman and Sykes.
Tommy and Smith are probably our weakest area but then again I’d say Tommy has the potential to be one of the best impact hookers in the league. A new attacking 6 would transform this team no end as it would allow smith to play 7 and his natural organising game. But again as a pairing there is far worse we could do. (Moran and Orr!)
Fielden and Feka would get in any SL side imo. Feka is devastating from the bench and can change a game in an instant. Prescott needs to get to the level we all know he can reach and when he does he’ll be more than a good player for us. O’Carroll is improving week in week out and had a good WC. If Coley was replaced by someone like Gussiet we’d again have a set of props to match anyone in the league.
I agree with the original poster in that we have the best set of back row players in SL.
11.Hansen
12.Lockers
13.Tomkins
Add Hock to the bench and this set of back row players has everything from speed to raw power and it’s also a grafting back row that will work for 80mins. You couldn’t ask for more
So where is the problem? IL really needs to ask himself;
Are we making the most of their talents?
Are they making progress year on year i.e. is Goulding/Mcilorum better than they were last year? I know under Anderson the likes of Roby, Eastmond and Graham made plenty of improvement under his time as coach.
Are they as physically fit as they can be? Can we honestly say Wigan has the physically fittest set of players in the league? If not why not? We have the facilities don’t we to make them so?
Is the dressing room united? Are the players 100% motivated to go out and do the job they need to week in week out?
I honestly don’t think we can answer yes to anyone of those questions and Noble and his coaching team have to take responsibility for it imo. We aren’t making the most out of the talents and facilities we have available to us because I honestly don’t think Noble has the ability to!