“He is not the solution” – Phil Clarke’s harsh assessment of Super League star

Recently, with Jai Field and Cade Cust out injured, Wigan Warriors have run with Joe Shorrocks in the halves.

This hasn’t helped Wigan’s recurring problem of being unable to score within close range of the opponent’s try line.

Cade Cust returned to the bench in Friday’s defeat to Leeds Rhinos but Phil Clarke said he is not the solution to Wigan’s problems on Sky Sports.

“You say that but when Wigan lost to Catalans early this season, Cade Cust was the stand-off and they took him off and put Jai Field at stand-off so don’t think that is the solution to their attacking problems.

“I don’t think he is the solution. He wasn’t the solution to their problems last year and he might not be immediately this year.”

Clarke also went more in depth into Wigan’s woes:

“Wigan’s strike rate has been a problem. It was last season and is one of the reasons the Warriors lost at home in the play-offs against Leeds.

“That problem has continued into 2023. Wigan rank 10th for tries scoring inside the opposition’s 20 metres.

“Only Castleford and Wakefield have been worse at scoring when the ball is close to the opponent’s try line.

“It is an area of concern and it is something they worked on a lot in pre-season, I know.

“When they lost to Leeds last season they had 56 play the balls close to the Leeds try line but only scored twice.

“It was phenomenal defence from Leeds but worrying from Wigan.

“In better weather and on a firm surface they should be better in the coming weeks.”