Wigan fan here in peace. Looking forward to the game on Friday, should be a close game as Wigan Leeds games normally are, I'm always confident in Wigan and always will be but we could struggle if our defence plays anything like it did in first half vs hull, Cutherbertson and Parcell could have a field day although imo they won't, Hoping imo what is our best player is back and that's Faz, if he is back we could have the advantage imo but if he isn't I'll tip you lot by 6.

Not sure what the weather forecast is but hopefully it's dry and some good rugby is played. Hope you lot have a good game (but not too good a game haha)

I get what he means. Whilst Cas have done some really good stuff and even took us to the cleaners I wouldn't rule us out in a big contest like a final/semi vs them.

Wigan haven't fielded near their strongest side I agree but then again their style allows 'inferior' squad players to come in and nothing much changes so absence of players isn't as bad as it is as say Leeds who rely on key individuals.

Ateotd I don't think there's a big gap between teams compared to say several years ago when Saints and Leeds were well ahead of the rest in 07-09.

I would say Wigan are ahead of everyone with a near full team on the pitch but with them struggling a bit with injuries it has brought them into the pack.

Like you say, Cas great to watch but still need to prove themselves when it matters.

There isn't a right lot to fear from the rest of the league at the minute so it is looking fairly open for at least a couple of play off spots.

I say Wigam's biggest strength is also perhaps their greatest weakness. Yes when injury strikes they can carry on with little disruption whereas Leeds go for a style reliant on being close to their strongest 17.......but look at the final 20 mins of the 2015 GF, was their any individual magic from Wigan or just the structure trying hopelessly???

If structure gave Flower the instinct to put that kick up, then I'd like to see that session with Wane.

Sorry to be picky but i thought it was Clubb??

It was. A career-defining moment

I did not come looking for an argument, simply questioning the rationale. In terms of the league I think it's too early to read much into it.

Personally I think Cas look a different prospect this year and are playing for each other, so it could be naive to write them off on big games. But then again, I accept that bubble could burst.

In terms of Wigan, this may be my hope/bias but it does not look like the Wigan of old in terms of structured boring play and do believe when bodies are back (Bateman, Farrell, Budgie) that we should be a dangerous proposition. But like I said, I may be a little bias...

I know what you're saying, but Wigan have come a long way since that season. The way I remember it, it took a pretty monumental effort from a great Leeds team to stop us from winning that game, and there's been lots of development in our strike players since then. I think that the end of last season and the start of this one shows we can play some good attacking stuff with a semi-fit team. The structure just keeps us competitive when the kids are out.

Anyway, back to Friday's game, have to say I'm much less confident than I was 2-3 weeks ago. You've obviously responded very well to the Cas result, and we've hit a bit of a wall. Given the troops we've got coming back, I'll say Wigan by 6, but doubt there will be much in it wither way.

I always feel that at Leeds the crowd play a bigger part in the decision making by the officials than anywhere else in the league. I mean this as a compliment. The crowd is large and loud and gets behind the team and that makes it a tough place to win. We have lost the last five at your place and I'm never confident regardless of form.

The 2012 result (when Wigan got 50+) was an outlier, games are usually tight, it could come down to a bit of brilliance or luck or a decision. I predicted Leeds to make the top 4 and I've seen nothing to change my view. I must say I like the look of Parcell, could be a big signing for Leeds.

Sorry, you are quite correct.

I was too busy laughing my head off when that happened.

When i they rely on structure it's not s crtiticism. It's anything but. It allows Wigan to introduce young players, helps them deal with injuries and in the long hard slog of s season we have it's necessary to win.

Was are a Powell side. But so were Leeds in 2003. As a team they aren't good defensively they give away a lot of ball, and so will struggle in tight gsmes. In open games they are very good in attack.

There are flaws at both Wigan and Cas who have looked much better than everyone else.

I've been very impressed with the form of George Williams this year.
The departure of Matty Smith has put more responsibility on his shoulders & he's responded excellently.
If we can control him & limit his attacking threat then we we can win.
Paramount in that is discipline, give away needless & penalties & concede territory & we'll struggle.

Recent meetings show Leeds being further away from dealing with Castleford than at any point in their history. Record beatings handed out both home and away within the last twelve months.

Seen these runs before V Hull, Wigan, Bradford among others and it can be a long road back.

Golding
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
Mcguire
Burrow
Parcell
Cuthbertson
Jones-Buchanan
Ablett
Sutcliffe
Delaney
Garbutt
Keinhorst
Ferres
Mullally
Walters
Handley

Honestly I'm not that confident in the squad, the pack looks like it's lacking in lateral movement and Wigan will exploit that. Our backs will have to have an excellent game defensively if we're going to win this.

I was expecting Ward to be in the 19 for this one.

Also, unless he's got a knock (and I've not read any confirmation) harsh on Baldy. Would have expected him in 19 with Walters dropping out for the returning Delaney

I too don't understand Baldwinson omission from the squad, considering he's started the past two games. Walters & Handley does nothing for me. Why is Handley even included if he doesn't play?

Golding
Briscoe Watkins Keinhorst Hall
Mcguire Moon
Garbutt Parcell Cuthbertson
Ablett Ferres
Sutcliffe

JJB Mullally Burrow Delaney

It's a shame, considering how he's been playing recently, and after two seasons in the stands.

That's a real slap in the face for Baldy, shocking treatment of him really. Let's hope McDermott doesn't follow suit with Oledzki.

Only reason I can think for Handley in 19 is possible cover for Golding.

Surely Sutcliffe is the back up fullback over Handley?
Weird decision to leave out Baldwinson in place of Delaney, he has clearly been playing better and if Sutcliffe plays 13 then we already have 4 backrowers in the squad, no need for another.

In fact, it actually puts a lot of pressure on our 3 props who will have to average about 55 mins against an aggressive Wigan pack.

If Keinhorst doesn't make it (he limped off at Huddersfield) then Moon will need to go back to Centre. That means Sutty may be needed in the halves so Handley would be cover for Golding, or Keinhorst if Mac wants to keep Moon at 6.

Baldwinson has done well, he's got a few starts and shown at least that his face fits. I don't expect him to spend long spells not playing this year, but I do expect Mac to continue to manage his game time. There was an interview, might have been in preseason, where he said effectively Mullally, Baldy and Ormandroyd are all after the same spot and injuries permitting are likely to be rotated.

Careful now. That post is far too sensible for these parts.

Go on then I'll bite.

Do you categorically know the reason he isn't in the team?

Perhaps he needs (or we want him to have) a rest, given he is still one of the younger lads and has just played 2 games against super league opposition. Perhaps we want him fresh for the Warrington game to give us some options?

Perhaps his performances in the last 2 games showed some areas to work on and we don't want to risk him against Wigan?

There are a multitude of factors as to why he isn't in the squad and luckily one of the factors isn't 'to appease fans on the forum'.

So change the record, and accept perhaps the coaching staff have their reasons.