I know a few fans may raise an eye brow or two with me praising Wigan's defensive effort. But to play as poorly as we did against a Leeds side who played the best they have so far this season, and to only concede three tries is a superb effort. Not forgetting we were also down to 12 men for 10 minutes due to Lima's sin binning.



Granted we've put in far better better defensive efforts. But the enthusiasm from the players to chase back and stop certain tries when the line was broken numerous times was excellent, and kept us in a position to allow to do what we did in last 15.

If they hadnt gone for goal twice we would have conceded more IMO. just bad decisions (and a few forward passes) from Leeds kept them from scoring, our defence was about 40% as good as it can be tonight.

40%? I would have said nearer 20%.

I know if I was a Leeds fan, I'd be disapointed that we went for the 2 three times. Fair enough to get a 6 or a 12 point gap, but I thought overall it was quite negative play.

For the majority of the game the speed at which Leeds were able to get to their feet and play the ball was a major factor on our defensive display. Our markers were at times barely getting into position and the ball player was away down the fringes or had quick ball out to Sinfield (who I thought was excellent last night). In contrast our PTB's were slow and at times laboured, Leeds line was set and our ball carriers were constantly met with a wall of defenders. For two weeks running now we've been out muscled in the forwards in the tackle (with and without the ball) and hope it's something the coaches can address this week at training.

and there lise the problem



micky mac isnt buderus

Im also glad Burrow just decided to kick it out at the end of that first half instead of going for a bomb/drop goal - another bad decision from Leeds

I wouldn't say our defence was good at all last night. Leeds had a ten minute spell before half time where tall they needed to do was spread the ball out wide and they'd be clean through. If they had been more clinical we could have been 20 points down by half time rather than 8 and we'd have been staring down the barrell

Our defence was pretty dire last night untill the last 15



How we defend if they get the ball away massive gaps will be there so first guy to hit the player needs to wrap that ball up

Agreed. I think we are far more inclined to break the line and try and hit around the body and smother the player and it hasnt been that effective overall. Last season I remember the season ticket holders around me saying "Get hold of him!" whenever a player ran across the line but nobody did and we nearly always snuffed out the attack and didn't give away too many overlaps. We need to hold our line a bit better

I thought that, what a negative play!