Firstly well done to all those who braved the conditions last night, including both staff, players and fans of both teams.

But on to my main point. We have been suffering some slow attrition in the squad over the first few weeks. Does anyone know what the state of play is with Lance and Gaskell are either likely to be available for the Wigan game??

I am assuming that Lomax was a precautionary drop last night!

Roby is out and with no Lance do you think Ashe or speakman can face up against Wigan, or should we be looking to shift Flanagan to dummy half?

Brown has already mentioned Jones in the 2nd row to replace TP, so could we see the return of Percival, and what happened to Makinson, named in the squad?

Gaskell had a knock last night. Lance is having a scan (groin I think) and tommy didnt get picked.

I don't think lance or TP will play next week.

Lafranchi and lomax will be back.

I would not play Ash at hooker, he just isnt one.

You could see the difference in passing when Speakman came onto the field, it was fast, accurate and he was setting up play. Ash (not being a hooker) looked like a fish out of water, not knowing when to pass or to run and who the ball should go to. When he did pass it was slow.

Speakman would get a bench spot on Friday with Flanagan starting at hooker. With Hohaia out hopefully Gaskell is fit, otherwise I'd look at moving Turner inside and bringing Percival into centres.

1. Lomax
2. Gardner
3. Jones
4. Turner/Percival
5. Meli
6. Gaskell/Turner
7. Wilkin
8. Perry
9. Flanagan
10. Laffranchi
11. Soliola
12. Manu
13. Wellens

LMS
Clough
Walmsley
Speakman

Ashe, Makinson & Greenwood all miss out, the rest are injured.

Gaskell will play for Rochdale tomorrow and as no knock

I think we'll see...
Lomax
Gardner
Jones
Percival
Meli
Turner
Wilkin
Perry
Speakman
Laffranchi
Soliola
Manu
Wellens

LMS
Flanagan
Clough
Walmsley

I don't know why there is this persistence that Gaskell is injured when he isn't. He has just been dropped, as has Makinson.

I was told by his team mates that he has a knock. Nothing serious but Brown wanted to see charnock

I think it's more likely that Jones would move rather than Turner.

But if Gaskell is still a no pick then Lomax could be returning to halfback, with Wellens taking back the number 1 shirt. Although I would prefer.

Lomax, Ade, Makinson Percival, Meli, Wilkin, Turner
Laffranchi Flash LMS Sia Manu Wellens
bench
Perry, Warmsley, Jones, Speakman (assuming what you all say is correct that he looked capable)

If Gaskell is not a no pick, then he would go into half and Makinson drop out.

I'd go with

Lomax
Ade
Turner
Jones
Meli
Gaskell
Wilkin
Perry
Speakman
Laffranchi
Sia
Manu
Flanaghan

Wellens
Clough
Walmsley
Greenwood

If its not working out with speakman at 9, we have the option of putting flanaghan or lomax in at 9 with wello covering the fullback/loose postion.

With a bit of luck, TP might be fit.

gaskell playing six and seven

Pete is obviously confident that we can handle Wigan with just 12 men.

But if you slot Wilkin in the missing gap then it's a decent line up. Gaskell is the big [size=200?[/size

I think Brown'd move Turner to 6 over playing Gaskell to be honest.

We have options to Cover all problems.

Wigan also have injuries so its just a matter of getting on with it.

We might even see lomax got to 9 to fill the gap left by robes. Wello to fullback and Gaskell to 6. Thoughts ?

Wigan have got injuries in the forwards though. Their pack tonight is Crosby, McIlorum, Flower, Tuson, Farrell, O'Loughlin, with Hughes, Taylor, L.Tomkins and Burke on the bench. Even without Puletua, I reckon our pack should have the edge.

SaintsFan wrote:
I don't know why there is this persistence that Gaskell is injured when he isn't. He has just been dropped, as has Makinson.

And deservedly so.

Bit harsh on Tommy that, he played well against wakey

I would rather see Flanagan move to 9 before Lomax.

Wello looked decent on Friday returning the ball (except when he passed to Meli in the in-goal!), but he was missing in the attacking line.

We have seen what Lomax has done and I think I'd do a Saddened if Lomax isn't at FB on Friday.

I think we might see the following line up, assuming that TP and Lance are out.

Lomax
Gardner
Jones
Percival
Meli
Turner
Wilkin
Perry
Speakman
Laffrancchi
Soliola
Manu
Flanagan

Subs

Wellens
LMS
Clough
Walmsley

No LMS Pete?

Missed him out as well lol

I was clearly not on on my game hahaha

Lms on bench to replace greenwood

It looks as though O'Loughlin could be missing (cracked or broken rib). We desperately need to get some of the bigger, more experienced forwards back soon. It's like an elastic band getting further and further stretched. I'm worried in case it snaps.

As I put on the Wigan site, last night for the last twenty minutes Liam Farrell was the oldest man in the pack, and he's not 23 until July.

There's a lot of possibilities with this one. I'd be surprised if Brown brings Gaskell back in he seems way down atm and although Makinson hasn't done anything wrong I can see Gardner playing if he's fit just to get a bit more experience in the team.

Lomax
Gardner
Percival
Turner
Meli
Charnock
Wilkin
LMS
Speakman
Laffranchi
Manu
Flanagan
Soliola

Walmsley
Clough
Jones
Greenwood

Does anybody else think that the challenge on TP from Godwin that led to the injury was a bit suspect. I recall somebody getting a ban last season for a similar challenge.

Jack Dearden mentioned it during his commentary on Fridays game. He said that Godwin would probably be up before the disciplinary next week.