In the last 3 weeks we've played 1st vs 2nd twice and last years league leaders. They're of course going to do things to interrupt our patterns and not let us play the way we want to. We've had as hard a run as any, playing teams in form (when we played Wakefield they were rolling off two 50 point wins) - and we've come through each test so far.

We have made things harder for ourselves at times (the first 60 seconds of last night, for example!) and I don't think we've strung a full 80minute performance together yet, but until august it's about stating intent, and we've certainly done that so far!

No team can be on top form week in week out, but it's certain we'll require to front up from the off next Friday. If our pack get at least parity with their Wigan counterparts I'd expect our backs to win us the match.

Goons are not playing all that well at the moment, its only Matt Bowen whose playing with any form these last couple of games.

Did anyone else notice Walmsley up end a Cas player during the game? I can't remember who it was but he hurt his shoulder and his legs were definitely lifted above the horizontal. I'm hoping he doesn't get a ban for the Wigan game.

Maybe I'm being paranoid but this season I have no idea when someone has done something worthy of a ban.

Bowen should be easy to deal with defensively as he doesn't have the 'slippery eel' effect like Tomkins had. Tomkins struggled against the top sides and bowen is no different so far.

Leeds set the bench mark on how to defend against wigan (umbrella style defence) and we need to do something similar in Friday.

Bowens try return from fullback is the best in the league (match for match)

Your post has no relevance to the one that you're quoting.

I thought Bowen was a fat plodder???

He was in that first round.

They didn't last time we played them, they leaked 22 points to send us into the grand final

Looked pretty good scoring full lengthers in 3 of his last 4 games

At some point in the game Luke Walsh is going to cop a high tackle from one of Wane's thugs So we need to be ready for a bit of Biff?

Bowen is starting to come good, we cant ignore him, but that said our back 3 are very good this year, he wont be skinning Swift or T-Mak.
Would be surprised if there isn't any biff, Wigan will try and niggle us all game and we need to try and maintain our professionalism. But if biff does happen i want to see us piling in on mass and not getting bullied by a smaller, weaker pack.
If someone (probably with the initials MM) does try and take out Walsh, i'd have the forwards completely nobble him, even if it means a bin or worse, we need to show them we will not be bullied

The biggest worry is that if it turns into an arm wrestle and there is a bit of biff then we could lose a player or two with the disciplinary. The disciplinary is the one where we don,t have any luck going our way and could weaken us for the Leeds game.

But if Mick Mac Paddy Wack does his thuggery then we will have to react and take that chance.

Just hit him hard and early, with the big forwards. Once he has made a few tackles and had the big man plough into him, he'll know not to mess about.

Apart from the Leeds game, where I was expecting a defeat with the players we had out. I've been pretty decent with my predictions on the Saints fixtures.

So the score will be

Saints 30
Wigan 14

Amen to that score

But they are only 2 points off 2nd with a game in hand. They are dangerous.

Bowen is in the top 10 for clean breaks and tackle busts despite playing two games less than most players. Plus of course his five tries.

Wigan always gear up physically for the derby. We have to match them early on, which is something we did not do against Cas.

We need to start Amor and Walmsley. Kyle is a rock and Walmsley is so awkward to tackle that he will be the least affected be Wigan's initially quick line speed.
Mose is not so good in this situation, so should be left as an impact sub.
I'd also start LMS at 13. He generally likes the derby and his workrate and physicality in defence will be very handy.

I think its safe to say we'd all leave Jones in the centre over Dawson, if Percy is not back.

Depsite my misgivings about his technical ability. I'm tempted to leave Wellens on the bench. We've been shakey of late and need galvanising as best we can.

Heard off few saints lads a few mumblings about what the pies going to do.

Walsh needs to protect himself and someone needs to put that pettyborne in his place who's been opening his mouth a lot in the Wigan camp. He's a gob shi*te.

Bowen looks alright. I think/hope the biggest thing he'll lack compared to Tomkins is his off the ball work. Tomkins speed looping round the back was very distracting to the opposition (possibly the psychological aspect of who is was added to this) and created space for other runners.

Space and ball to Tomkins was also plan A for Wigan, we might find that they mix it up a lot more these days.

Care to spill?

What they usually do to our halfbacks.

sorry i ment on the "Walsh needs to protect himself and someone needs to put that pettyborne in his place who's been opening his mouth a lot in the Wigan camp. He's a gob shi*te." part. What has Pettyborne been saying etc?

I think it's quite simple. Hit em first.

Walsh needs to play his normal game, if he is looking for the swinging arm, he'll take his mind off the pass.