Wigan Warriors: The 18th Man - 'A class act, and we are lucky to have him here...'

Our panel of Warriors experts run the rule over last Friday’s win over Warrington Wolves, the youngsters on show, and Friday’s trip to Huddersfield Giants...

David Bailey:

Whilst the Warriors’ visit to The Brick for the first time in an age was a fleeting one, they certainly gave us a performance to remember.

Warrington came to town, and I am not ashamed to admit, I just did not see any way we would get a result. Struggling with injuries, rumours swirled through the day that Jai Field would be absent. Whilst he was indeed absent, the rumours about his hamstrings being the main issue were unfounded.

When Warrington (themselves low on numbers in certain areas) hit the ground running, I feared the worst. 12-0 down in as many minutes had a sobering look.

However, the Wolves invited Wigan back in, and Josh Cartwright smashed through the middle of their defence with aplomb. That got the fans up, and even going in at 12-6 down, the Warriors were given a rousing reception from the fans. Maybe, just maybe.

The second half, whilst not a classic, could be a pivotal point in the season. Wigan ground out a result with some confident finishes, and despite fingers being pointed at the squad depth at the start of the season, the kids have again proven a point.

Whilst Wigan’s youngsters aren’t familiar names now, perhaps changing the phrase from lack of depth to lack of experienced depth would be more appropriate. Matt Peet alluded to the fact that not many players in the 30 and above squad numbers are household names, but many of them could go on to have decent careers like so many of their predecessors.

The beauty of all five tries coming from Wigan academy products, with elder statesman Zach Eckersley (at 22!) getting in on the act with Austin Daniel, the superb Taylor Kerr, and young prop Kian McDermott shouldn’t be lost either as Warrington fans serenaded the impressive Ewan Irwin with chants of ‘He’s one of our own’. He is a real talent, and it is good to see another club trusting their youth.

This week, we are off to the Accu Stadium. The last time we faced the Giants was a day we all want to forget. They have flattered to deceive, and I still look at that result incredulously. How we managed to lose that game needs to be studied.

Peet will know doubt have ensured that result is ringing in the ears of the players. We absolutely cannot undo the arduous work of the last few months by capitulating again.

Seven wins on the bounce with the disruption we have faced is hugely impressive (if we exclude the reserves playing at KR, it really is 10 games).

We are starting to get people back now, and I am sure George Marsden will get another crack at stand-off. Adam Keighran did a job last week, but with Field back, the backline has a little more of an experienced look.

The pack speaks for itself, and Shea O’Connor and McDermott (arguably the best prop duo of that name in a long time, sorry Baz and Tez!) will be better for their experience. Sam Walters returns next week and will likely take his place in the back-row.

People like Harry Smith, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Kaide Ellis, Jake Wardle and the aforementioned Keighran really have held their hands up and carried a youthful squad.

I am not looking up at Leeds (yet) as we still need others to assist if we are to overhaul them at the top, but I want to see as much distance put between the chasing pack and us when it comes to the top two. I have every faith that, as the business end approaches, the Warriors are in the prime place to head back to Old Trafford.

Glynn Bradshaw:

Another great win in the face of adversity.

I must admit, I felt a bit deflated when I heard that Field was absent. Little did we know that young Cartwright would come up with a man-of-the-match performance, and along with all the Warriors youngsters, did tremendously well. A massive shout out to captain Smith, who once again steered the ship to calmer waters after a stormy start, with Thompson, Wardle and O’Neill also impressing.

For the third game running, we weren’t great in the first half, but came out strong after the break and dominated proceedings.

Warrington were also missing their fair share of senior players, but even though they levelled with a well-taken try by Matty Ashton, we still looked the better side, roared on by the Warriors faithful, and deservedly took the spoils.

Next up is a trip over the Pennines to take on Huddersfield this week, with only Marsden and Field returning. I think Cartwright may get the nod over Austin Daniel for the left wing slot, but it is a difficult decision for Peet to make. We certainly owe them one after they deservedly beat us at home earlier in the season. I hope this will be remembered, and we don’t take our foot off the gas, and that reversal will put paid to any thoughts of complacency.

Players are returning in the coming weeks and that will hopefully put us in a strong position for the run-in, but we now know we have young players who can come in and do a job - a massive commendation of the coaching staff at the club, as youngsters continue to make a seamless transition.

Fingers crossed for another win on the road.

Darren Wrudd:

Arriving at The Brick last week, I must be honest, my sentiment was that if we could perform, I would be happy with that and let the result be what it is. Many others must have felt the same, and though it seems no one told our squad that! I feel sometimes I can run out of ways to praise this club, but here goes...

The bedrock on which we stand is not the history - that’s the motivation - it’s the desire from top to bottom. Kris Radlinski must be the hardest working CEO in the sport and just breathes Wigan Warriors. But that feeds down through every single layer so that each department knows that they have something to strive for.

The junior teams in the organisation and the local clubs like St Cuthberts, St Judes, St Patricks or Ince Rose Bridge, etc., can see that there is a genuine pathway from juniors through to the academy and then through to earning their Wigan heritage number. That creates desire and enthusiasm which stays with these lads until like last week, through the diligent preparation of our youth coaches, we are in need of support through a ravaged injury list, and these young lads don’t just turn up and have a go, they perform like professionals. Why should we be surprised?

A massive rap goes to this year’s youngsters, from Jack Farrimond to Nathan Lowe, Cartwright, Daniel, George O’Loughlin and Taylor Kerr... Wow. Just wow. There are more, and we get Marsden back this week, which should settle a few players back to their spots.

On top of the obvious thrill of watching these young men ply their trade so well, I thought that our seniors were awesome. Tough, uncompromising and leaders that folk want to follow. A special mention to Thompson and Patrick Mago. Thompson came back from injury early to help his team, and you could see him limping slightly at times - that’s above and beyond in my book.

Mago came on when we needed to swing the momentum, and boy did he do that. Of course, we always talk about the spine of the squad, and Smith is just a luxury of a player who goes about his business under the radar and makes the whole thing shine. A class act, and we are lucky to have him here.

This week, we have to underline what just happened. Not a flash in the pan, but a weekly target to improve and move forward.

Huddersfield will have hope that they can repeat their win earlier in the year, but I can’t see that lightning bolt strike twice.

Keep up the energy, lads, stay tight with the ball in hand and give the referee nothing to blow for. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? I would finish with: make us proud, but that’s mission accomplished already.