Wigan are back, says encouraged Adrian Lam

Wigan coach Adrian Lam said his side look like the Warriors of old, despite tasting defeat at Warrington.

The Warriors went down to a 25-12 defeat against the Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday night.

Wigan have now lost five games in a row and sit joint bottom of the table, alongside Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants.

Speaking after the game, Lam said: “I know we lost the game but there were signs in the game that we are back as a team, and I couldn’t be happier.

“There is obviously a lot of work to do but what I saw was a confident team and I’m sure the fans saw that as well. I was really proud of the team.

“When [Dan] Sarginson went off, we were down to 12 men and we defended how a Wigan team should defend and that was the first time I’ve seen that this season.

“When that happened, I turned to the other coaches in the box and I told them ‘this is it, we are back’. I could see that the players wanted it for each other.

“The spirit has never been down. We have been frustrated and disappointed with our performances, but there has always been positivity there.”

Promising half-back Jake Shorrocks came off the bench for Wigan to play his first game for the club in more than two years after suffering two serious knee injuries since 2017.

On Shorrocks, Lam added: “I was really happy for Jake.

“I think he had a few games at Salford on loan last year on coming back from a knee injury. I’ve had three of those myself, so I know it’s been pretty tough for him.

“He’s been in the wilderness for a long time but he has been one of our best performers in pre-season so I was looking forward to the moment where we could give him an opportunity.

“There are eight players who didn’t play for us tonight, whether they are injured or suspended, so I was really proud of the younger players in the team.

“It’s a positive dressing room in there at the moment because we feel we made that step forward against Warrington.”

Lam confirmed Dom Manfredi, Joe Burgess and Ben Flower will return from injury to face Salford Red Devils next Sunday.