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central park wigan · 05-02-2010, 10:17 PM

Poor team the Crusaders. Worked hard in defence but little or nothing to offer in attack. Our defence was excellent. Our attack less so. Several easy tries bombed by playing going for glory instead of passing the ball. Phelps being tackled going solo with a two man overlap outsiode and Sam T over using his inside step were the main culprits. Outstanding player for me was JOEL Tomkins whilst Amos Roberts looks far better this season. The whole squad is far fitter but with ball in hand they need to do some work.

James Child needs to progress ASAP. Otherwise we will be left with Child and Alibert creating slow games through incompetence.

Long hard seasson for the Crusaders. Not up to SL IMO.

***jammy dodger*** · 05-02-2010, 10:50 PM

Please dont vilify the crusaders on here, you will be hung drawn and quartered, whilst all the time being branded a flatcapper

central park wigan · 05-02-2010, 10:58 PM

I am all for expansion but the Crusaders have signed the RL equivalent of the Dirty Dozen and they really looked bereft of any class with ball in hand whilst they will lose their effort level in defence as the defeats continue. Farcical carry on and whatever anybody thinks, IMO they are not fit for SL. No Away supporters tonight either.

***jammy dodger*** · 05-02-2010, 11:11 PM

actually no away supporters?? surely there was a few dotted around the away end??

central park wigan · 05-02-2010, 11:18 PM

Did not see 1 Jammy. I presume we did not open the Away end but I also saw no odd supporters in and around the Wigan stands. Well apart from 'odd' Wiganers Wink

***jammy dodger*** · 05-02-2010, 11:22 PM

There be a fair few of them Wink

I no people claim that away fans are not something that should be taken for granted or even assessed on, but it is one thing that to me, indicates a passion for a club

Barra · 06-02-2010, 02:41 AM

shame really no away supporters, I saw Celtic at Barrow in 2007 they where well supported speaks volumes to me in how they feel cheated.

KaeruJim · 06-02-2010, 08:38 AM

Mm. I think Joel looked really handy at times last year, good if he can progress from under the shadow of his hyped-to-the-max briother.

Will reserve judgement on Wigan's prospects til a few games in; wouldn't surprise me if they led the table for a while early season.

central park wigan · 06-02-2010, 09:19 AM

I know it is not convention to criticise your own team but the weaknesses still exist. Piggy although fitter (much) is not doing enough from hooker. I think Deacon will play a bigger role than some expect expect(ed) Our front row. Many fans were singing and praising them but it was v the Crusaders and IMO they are still not good enough.

The + points. JOEL Tomkins was sim[ply outstanding and he has a great physique. His defence was superb and if he showsd more confidence and really takes defenders on, particularly by hitting space or going on the outside. He will go very far. Amos Roberts - totally different player. Lockers was as good as ever and Gleeson much improved, busier etc etc

Sam T may find it harder this season. I still firmly believe in him but he needs to be a little more unselfish. Phelps got a high shot and the Wigan fans were scraming at the ref to dismiss the Crusaders player. I was screaming at Phelps for being so damn greedy and killing an easy try.

We scored plenty of tries through kicks. Crusaders are really compressing in defence so often a kick or two decent passes sees you on the outside and possibly clear.

KaeruJim · 06-02-2010, 10:21 AM

Ultimately CPW I know you're not a noble fan but I don't think the squad is different enough for the required quantum leap to success. Need to be respected but as you say, once the confident flush of season start is gone Wigan still have some issues over depth and quality of squad.

central park wigan · 06-02-2010, 10:26 AM

No I agree Jim. I think the quality of the starting 13 is not good enough and won't be in 2010 because we cannot change the squad. Away fans will see a far fitter team and they defend very impressively but the attack is very much a work in progress.

I do tink we have depth but need the quality at the top to be better in order to challenge Leeds and Saints. I would put Wigan 2010 on a par with Huddersfield 2009.

KaeruJim · 06-02-2010, 10:46 AM

I do think the gaps are narrowing so Wigan will be a challenger again. I can see a lot more unpredictability this year than som people though.

central park wigan · 06-02-2010, 10:51 AM

I certainly think now Jim if a team does not turn up and play they can get turned over. Hence, why playing Crusaders was not IMO like playing SL opposition. I honestly felt there was no way we could lose last night.

KaeruJim · 06-02-2010, 11:33 AM

You have to wonder about the wisdom of assembling an expensive and complicated coaching set up like they have. I mean, if your players simply aren't up to standard it really doesn't matter who's coaching. I guess Nobby and Iestyn have given some credibility and publicity.

central park wigan · 06-02-2010, 11:54 AM

I think they neededed to go with SOME of the young Welsh players. A lot of the players they have signed are not going to be any better than they were and many were very poor at their best. Winterstein for example could not make it at Wakefield so what hope it there for the Crusaders. Signing quality players on loan and using young Welsh players with some class players would have seemed the way to go.

I can just see their defeats increasing and the scores getting worse. Wakey came to Wigan first game on 2009 injury hit yet they won. I honestly watched the Crusaders and thought this is not SL We got blaze and bombed several tries.