Warrington started 2021 in much the same way they finished 2020, with a deeply disappointing 21-12 loss to the Castleford Tigers.
Despite tries from Toby King, the bizzarely-benched Daryl Clark and Blake Austin, Wire succumbed to an impressive Castleford performance which included a brace of tries from Jordan Turner.
1) Flat as a pancake
It's the same problems as last year in attack, it just isn't clicking. We are clunky, too lateral and too predictable. The passes being played are horrendously flat and there are no runners. It's obvious what is going to happen. Constantly kicking to the corner again. Terrible.
2) No case for the defence
Last year, there was criticism of the attack but the defence was pretty spot on all year, conceding the same points as St Helens over the course of the season. Today though, Wire were all at sea defensively, making some dreadful defensive reads and not dealing with Jake Trueman's kicking at all.
3) Clipped winger
Goodness me, that was an awful showing from Josh Charnley today. Twice he fumbled at kicks, allowing Castleford to touch down on both occasions - though only one was given. He doesn't have the pace he had when he first joined Wire, I think he has been beefed up far too much.
4) No cloud nine
Daryl Clark is Warrington's best player. He is the best hooker in Super League. It's baffling that he didn't start the game today. I understand that some teams keep their best number nine on the bench in order to unleash them in the closing stages but that's only a strategy you can use when you have two very good hookers. Danny Walker is getting there but still has a way to go.
5) A glimpse into the future?
Looking at the two teams today, Castleford looked like a much better coached and well-drilled team. I would love Daryl Powell to succeed Steve Price. His team plays entertaining, disciplined and unpredictable stuff.
6) Bottom of the Shop
I've watched all six Super League games this weekend. Wire were the worst of the twelve teams. Concerning.
Player Ratings
Stefan Ratchford - 4/10
Came up with some horrible defensive positioning in the first half but did improve in the second. Awful goal-kicking. He's not a full-back.
Tom Lineham - 5/10
Looked pretty threatening in attack and was relatively solid in defence but made one very high tackle which cost a penalty.
Toby King - 7/10
Was Wire's best player in the first half, scoring a really good try and being one of the only ones looking robust defensively. One of the best centres in the league.
Connor Wrench - 4/10
Disappointing game for the youngster. Had some poor defensive reads and didn't really impose himself on the game.
Josh Charnley - 2/10
I've been a big Charnley fan but there's no doubt that he's lost something in the last year. A genuinely disastrous performance from the winger who couldn't deal with Trueman's kicks.
Blake Austin - 3/10
Don't let his walk-in try make you think he had a good game - he was utterly hopeless, as he always is against half-decent teams.
Gareth Widdop - 5/10
Not brilliant by any means but by far the better of the two halves, having a hand in the second and third tries and being pretty solid defensively.
Chris Hill - 4/10
Made a decent amount of yardage but the forwards got ran over, giving a major territorial advantage to Castleford.
Danny Walker - 5/10
A few bits of decent distribution but the improvement was clear once Clark came on.
Mike Cooper - 4/10
A rare poor performance from the prop forward, who made a couple of errors and gave up a cheap loss of possession.
Ben Currie - 5/10
Didn't offer much during the game until being put through a gap by Widdop and assisting Austin's try.
Jack Hughes - 4/10
Disappointing first showing as captain. Didn't impose himself on the game and came up with poor defensive reads.
Joe Philbin - 3/10
Really poor defensively and offered nothing in terms of handling. He just doesn't seem like a loose forward to me.
Jason Clark - 4/10
Good break to set up the Daryl Clark try but another pretty average showing from the Australian.
Daryl Clark - 8/10
Wire's best player by a mile. Brought pace in distribution and a threat from dummy-half. He deserves better than this.
Robbie Mulhern - 6/10
Not a bad debut for Mulhern, made a fair bit of yardage.
Matty Ashton - N/A
No point bringing him on so late.
@ALooseWire
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