Many pundits tipped Ian Millward's side to be pushing for top honours before this season began.

But the poor run of form, culminating in last week's dismal defeat at Castleford, has caused one or two to reassess.

There are even mutterings of a relegation dog-fight.

The more pessimistic outlooks may be a wild over-reaction to a handful of bad games, but, one thing is for sure, something has to change quickly.

Dave Woods assesses the key areas of concern for Wigan.

Australian Millward was sacked by St Helens for gross misconduct

There haven't been many shouting for Millward's head - and thank goodness for that. Sacking the coach is simply not the answer.

Millward has proved himself to be a shrewd cookie over the years, and there is every reason to believe he can stabilise to situation again.

But there has to be a question mark over his player recruitment policy.

He's been unlucky with the illness to Bryan Fletcher while Micky Higham has been a bright spark in another wise gloomy few weeks and Mark Calderwood can't be judged on the few opportunities he's been given.

But Pat Richards has yet to show anything like the promised riches he arrived with while Scott Logan's impact hasn't been as devastating as Wigan fans woould have liked.

And if there are weaknesses in other parts of his inherited team, shouldn't the coach have identified them in the half season he had in charge last year?

Moran (left) and Orr have failed to fire for the Warriors

A lot has been made of the lack of creativity and generalship coming from the half-backs, Danny Orr and Dennis Moran.

They have been targeted for stinging critcism from many areas.

In a way, that is justified. The pair haven't provided the platform that Wigan need. But neither of them is that kind of half-back.

Moran was a devastating support player for London, scoring tries for fun. Orr played a similar role for Castleford.

Put a creative leader alongside either of them and you make them into very good players.

Wigan don't have the kind of players in their side off which Orr and Moran could thrive.

Farrell's switch to rugby union has been a big loss

A real figure of authority is what the Wigan side is crying out for.

Oh for an Andy Farrell, Adrian Lam or even a Terry Newton in their line-up right now.

Bryan Fletcher may yet fulfill that role, but he isn't yet up to speed after his pre-season surgery.

Sean O'Loughlin is a terrific talent, but he doesn't seem to have the on-field presence at the moment to fill the very large boots of brother-in-law Farrell.

Whelan has taken Wigan Athletic all the way into the Premiership

One red herring often floated in any argument about Wigan's demise is the question of ownership.

The suggestion from some is that Dave Whelan is more concerned with football than rugby league.

The appointment of two Latics directors to the Warriors board has fueled many a conspiracy theory.

I think that's bunkum. If Whelan really had so little interest in the Warriors as some suggest, then he wouldn't have been at Castleford on a cold Sunday afternoon last week.

He wouldn't still be funding the the club's recruitment either.

And he certainly wouldn't be bothered trying to build bridges between the two clubs.

When will Wigan get their hands on some silverware again?

There is no quick fix at the JJB.

The only possible chance of bringing in the necessary talent right now is to find a cash-strapped Super League or NRL club and make them an irresistible offer for one of their stars.

Otherwise it's a case of scrapping it out with what's already there.

The next four weeks are crucial.

Wigan need at least two wins from their next four games otherwise this season will be written off before Easter has come and gone.

They face champions Bradford at odsal on Friday and then Wakefield twice - once in the Challenge Cup - before taking on St Helens at Knowsley Road.