We were very sloppy today and when we sharpen up the basics we'll still win plenty of games.
But today's two games has again brought into focus Wigan's main issue - which has been the main issue for around five years now. The power and athleticism of the forward pack.
St Helens' forward pack are a different class of athlete to ours. They are stronger, more explosive and more impactful. What would we give for three forwards that can drive the opposition back, challenge defenders and get us on the front foot. A more explosive and/or creative 9 to play off that wouldn't go amiss either.
Kris Radlinski and the Wigan recruitment team have tried twice to fix this and to be blunt they have failed on both occasions. They tried in 2020 - George Burgess and Mitch Clark did not work out. They tried in 2022 and whilst Kaide Ellis and Patrick Mago haven't flopped in the same way, they still haven't made the impact that we hoped. They've also stayed stubbornly loyal to Sam Powell when we all know there are far better hookers out there. 2024 will bring yet another opportunity with quota spots coming free and contracts expiring but who knows if they'll get it right the third time around.
Not an over-reaction - playing poorly in the opener doesn't mean we're a poor side and we can be far better with improvement of the basics. But this is a deeper issue that has reared its head time and time again over the last few years and the club deserve criticism for failing to address it.
