Re: Shaun Wane : Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:49 pm  

There has been some fantastic analysis on here that makes great reading. I would just add my thoughts, for what the are worth. We play a very attractive style of rugby. We throw the ball about and can score tries from anywhere. We defend as a team and, generally speaking, we are pretty successful. There are subtle changes that have been introduced to our attack; most notably the little inside ball from Tomkins to Bowen. Shaun Wane is not all about biff & hammer. He is a meticulous coach with an attention to detail. Last season we were pipped to two trophies by a Leeds team that found ways to win. They will not be the same team next season. We shall be favourites for every trophy next season. Quite rightly so, in my opinion. Shaun Wane is the man responsible for that.

Re: Shaun Wane : Thu Oct 22, 2015 8:22 am  

warrioral wrote:

There has been some fantastic analysis on here that makes great reading. I would just add my thoughts, for what the are worth. We play a very attractive style of rugby. We throw the ball about and can score tries from anywhere.

I am not sure that is quite true- if Wigan have one attacking weakness it is when close to the opponents line, time and time again in the play-offs and noticably in the GF Wigan had great possession near the opposition try line but came away with nothing - almost a case of lacking ideas when in that part of the field. It is something that needs to be addressed next season as I think it was part of why Wigan were not quite good enough in the GF (and some excellent Leeds defence).

Something for Wane to look at to improve the team next year.

Re: Shaun Wane : Thu Oct 22, 2015 8:42 am  

exiled Warrior wrote:

I am not sure that is quite true- if Wigan have one attacking weakness it is when close to the opponents line, time and time again in the play-offs and noticably in the GF Wigan had great possession near the opposition try line but came away with nothing - almost a case of lacking ideas when in that part of the field. It is something that needs to be addressed next season as I think it was part of why Wigan were not quite good enough in the GF (and some excellent Leeds defence).

Something for Wane to look at to improve the team next year.

Sam Tomkins will improve us ten fold close to the line, teams will be looking for him opening up space for our outside backs.

Re: Shaun Wane : Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:11 am  

warrioral wrote:

There has been some fantastic analysis on here that makes great reading. I would just add my thoughts, for what the are worth. We play a very attractive style of rugby. We throw the ball about and can score tries from anywhere. We defend as a team and, generally speaking, we are pretty successful. There are subtle changes that have been introduced to our attack; most notably the little inside ball from Tomkins to Bowen. Shaun Wane is not all about biff & hammer. He is a meticulous coach with an attention to detail. Last season we were pipped to two trophies by a Leeds team that found ways to win. They will not be the same team next season. We shall be favourites for every trophy next season. Quite rightly so, in my opinion. Shaun Wane is the man responsible for that.

Not sure I’d agree with all of that. Quite a few times this season we seem to have struggled to break down defences despite numerous sets in their danger area. Salford at home, Saints away (super 8s) and the grand final spring to mind. I think playing Smith at 7 and McIlorum at 9 have something to do with that to be honest, particularly compared to our main rivals who have McGuire/Burrow or Walsh/Roby in those positions who all have far more to offer in attack.

Re: Shaun Wane : Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:34 am  

exiled Warrior wrote:

I am not sure that is quite true- if Wigan have one attacking weakness it is when close to the opponents line, time and time again in the play-offs and noticably in the GF Wigan had great possession near the opposition try line but came away with nothing - almost a case of lacking ideas when in that part of the field. It is something that needs to be addressed next season as I think it was part of why Wigan were not quite good enough in the GF (and some excellent Leeds defence).

Something for Wane to look at to improve the team next year.

Some of that's surely just down to defences being more on their game at the season's end (we'll make an exception for hudds)? We (Leeds) have ripped a few teams apart at various points of the season but we weren't really any more creative than you once the play offs rolled round. You can always look for improvement, sure, but back end games between the best clubs are almost invariably tight.

Re: Shaun Wane : Thu Oct 22, 2015 11:29 am  

It was an issue for Wigan all season - we could score long range tries for fun but always seemed to struggle when close to the opponents line - especially against good defences. Yes defences got better as the season progressed as expected but Wigan seemed to lack ideas at times - passing the ball across the line but never really looking threatening. We always looked more threatening from 20 yards+ out than right on the line.

Re: Shaun Wane : Thu Oct 22, 2015 12:14 pm  

It's not easy to score tries from short range against a good defence. We see it in the NRL too. I've watched the Roosters, Cowboys, all the top teams struggle to do that on occasion despite plenty of repeat sets. It's not a criticism of the attacking abilities of Pearce, Thurston etc etc.

That's not to say there's no room for improvement in our attack, though. FWIW I fully agree with Walsh/Roby and McGuire/Burrow offering more than our current incumbents.

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

Re: Shaun Wane : Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:16 pm  

Our short range grubber kicking close to the line is a major weakness compared to other teams and is an area that needs sorting before next season.

Re: Shaun Wane : Thu Oct 22, 2015 7:25 pm  

Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy wrote:

Our short range grubber kicking close to the line is a major weakness compared to other teams and is an area that needs sorting before next season.

Which other teams? Leeds the eventual champions barely ever force drop outs with grubber kicks, and wigan have caused leeds numerous problems this season with kicks near to the line. Leeds more often seem to prefer to run it on the last close to the line and worst case scenario they don't score, they make the opposition bring the ball out right on their own try line.

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

Re: Shaun Wane : Thu Oct 22, 2015 7:58 pm  

FlexWheeler wrote:

Which other teams? Leeds the eventual champions barely ever force drop outs with grubber kicks, and wigan have caused leeds numerous problems this season with kicks near to the line. Leeds more often seem to prefer to run it on the last close to the line and worst case scenario they don't score, they make the opposition bring the ball out right on their own try line.

And Leeds grubbing kicking is still infinitely better than Wigan's. The Grand Final was a good example, Leeds score a try from it. Wigan have Joel Tomkins trying it when we've put it wide and have run out of ideas.

The short kick with runners is something we rarely execute well, as it's usually gone through too many hands and we're out wide.