A painfully familiar game for Wigan- what now?

For Wigan Warriors, it was another game where their attacking qualities left a lot to be desired.

Before this season, they had never failed to score a try in a game at the DW Stadium. That has happened three times this season.

It started with a 26-2 defeat against St Helens; followed by a 14-0 defeat against Leeds Rhinos, and now an 8-0 defeat against the same opposition.

For the first time in a Super League playoff match, the game was 0-0 at half-time, which was a credit to both teams for the way they defended.

Into the second half, even when Ash Handley put Leeds in front, chances remained few and far between for Wigan. They never really looked like scoring.

It meant the season ended with disappointment of a fairly familiar nature. Even more so when you take into account that it was the final game for Head Coach Adrian Lam, as well as others like Oliver Gildart and Jackson Hastings.

Both Lam and Hastings appeared emotional when being interviewed on Sky Sports after the game, showing how palpable the disappointment was.

It was a season full of familiar feelings. They started strongly and won their first seven games to top the Super League early on.

But a 48-0 defeat to Catalans Dragons sparked a remarkable downturn in form. They lost their next five matches, and the rest of the season was plagued with inconsistency.

Perhaps most alarmingly, a Liam Marshall try in the first half of their defeat against Hull KR would be the last try they would score in two-and-a-half matches of rugby.

Thar run was ended by a 22-0 win over Castleford Tigers. They lost at Magic Weekend against Warrington, but wins against Hull FC and Catalans meant the Warriors had some real momentum going into the playoffs.

Whoever succeeds Lam in charge at Wigan,  they could have a big job on their hands.

Firstly, is replacing the players necessary to get Wigan up to where they want to be. Also, getting the players confidence levels up and get them attacking in the right way again.

There is a feeling that this year, Wigan have been like a sleeping giant. When they strike back, they will strike back hard.

In saying that, the next few months will be very interesting. To see who the Head Coach is, and who they bring in, it could well be crucial in where the Warriors are at the start of the 2022 season.