: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:02 am
Alex BP' wrote:
As a big Bailey critic I can't see how supporters can be content with just a good defensive display. You talk about 'one dimensional view of the game' but surely this is what you're doing by being satisfied by just his defensive side of his game? How many times do you see Bailey running good angles off the halfbacks, making breaks, seeing him in space and linking up with the backs? On the few occaisions he does link up with backs he stops the flow of play and fails to create opportunities.
What did Bailey do different on Sunday that Harrison Hansen can't? IMO Hansen is a better attacking player, especially when in close radius to the opposition tryline.
Hansen was sat on the bench for too long on Sunday and it's shame considering it was for the expence of Bailey.
Ideally I'd like him to be explosive in attack and a workaholic in defence - unfortunately there aren't many 2nd rows like that.
He makes us alot harder to beat when he's in the team. Not just the tackling he does but his technique in allowing the defence to get set is far better than most at wigan. There is room for both Hansen and Bailey.
The main point though, is that replacing Bailey with Hansen say WILL NOT improve our team and results. There are far more important issues to resolve at Wigan than criticising Bailey for his lack of attack. IMO it makes us look stupid when we slag off players just because they are aussies or are easy targets, rather than looking at their actual contribution to the team and where the fundamental problems lie.
For example - we would be a much improved team;
If we were to have more runners at the ptb for a start, making it harder for the defence to pick the runner - we make more ground and we get a quicker ptb.
If we were to give our ball carriers more options - we put doubt in the defence.
If we were to cut out the number of errors we make - we play in a better field position.
If our players were the fittest in the league.
If we used the bench properly - with impact players on it and a proper plan for rotating the hooker.
These are fundamental things that will improve wigan as a team. Swapping Bailey out of the team will probably make us easier to beat.