[quote="Fred_Pickup":2yz28szx]Btw interesting choice of name AC as the "real" Arthur Clues taught my brother at school. OMG. makes me feel old now. Arthur Clues used to teach me at school. He was a real character and a nice and generous guy.[/quote:2yz28szx] Nice coincidence mate. You might have been in the same class. Think AC has replied to your quote not mine. Yes Arthur was a bit of a character from what I heard in his playing days.

[quote="Exeter Rhino":n0yrxjcr]Thoughts on individuals: Connor showed his class, albeit on a flat track. It will be interesting to see if he can play well across a season, and against the top sides. Hall slotted back in like it was 2017 again. Handley at centre. Not sure about this. Not many running chances and I don't see him as a creator. Connor at centre would make more sense if he's prepared to put the work in. Sivo. Had a nice break from deep but lacked the pace to finish himself. Looked decent, but we will need to create opportunities out wide from close range - as with Hall. Croft & Frawley. Croft looked classy and Frawley looked dangerous with both ball in hand and kicking (!!!). Maybe he has been practicing with the boot. Palasia. Put in one big hit but was otherwise steady. Jury's out for me whether he's the prop we need. Jenkins. Carried the ball strongly, was my pick of the forwards (although Holroyd had a couple of good runs), although he wasn't on long. He reminded me of Peacock in the way he carries the ball - but not getting carried away! Cam Smith. Put in a good shift work wise but he's still killing plays... One of the worst moments in the game was when another player had obviously overun him, Smith stops, and then carries on anyway and gives away an obstruction penalty - WTF? Can we just use him as a middle and stop him passing unless it is a simple off-load? Sinfield. I thought he looked sharp, and contrary to what has been written by others, looks like he might be able to step up and control the team given the right opportunity in 2025. Lisone - got the crowd going by pumping his legs before running on to the ball but made limited impact ball in hand. Miller highlighted his improved defensive workrate I think in commentary. Ackers - played most of the game but didn't do much of note. Overall, not sure what to make of it. We looked in control in the first half but there could have been a lot more attacking threat. I expected a bit more physicality given what we keep hearing about Arthur's pre-season. Second half was a bit dismal. Bring in the kids by all means, but maybe throwing them all in wholesale at half-time was not the best way to do it? Not especially hopeful about the younger backs - none of them seems to have any pace and we were routinely burned on the outside by the Wakefield wingers and centres. Diskin actually looked pretty decent once he got over what otherwise might have been described as a debut worthy of the likes of Olpherts and Hooley.[/quote:n0yrxjcr] Surprised you didn't mention Oledski - he looked massively improved to me.

I think some of the improvement in Oledski and the pack in general just came from the front row being more balanced. I liked the new additions and was actually think it’s going to be nice to have competition for places.Sivo and Hall were good in yardage and will score plenty if we create. Connor did well but I think Arthur is doing the right thing keeping his feet on the ground. Jack went ok. O’Connor is unfortunate. Back row is the issue for me. I can just about get round Mcdonell and Bentley been the starters (although they’re a bit samey for me) but after Gannon I couldn’t tell you who the next back row in line is, certainly on the basis of the one friendly (I know it doesn’t work like that) none of the kids looked ready.

[quote="Barrie’s Glass Eye":240sw4un]I think some of the improvement in Oledski and the pack in general just came from the front row being more balanced. I liked the new additions and was actually think it’s going to be nice to have competition for places.Sivo and Hall were good in yardage and will score plenty if we create. Connor did well but I think Arthur is doing the right thing keeping his feet on the ground. Jack went ok. O’Connor is unfortunate. Back row is the issue for me. I can just about get round Mcdonell and Bentley been the starters (although they’re a bit samey for me) but after Gannon I couldn’t tell you who the next back row in line is, certainly on the basis of the one friendly (I know it doesn’t work like that) none of the kids looked ready.[/quote:240sw4un] Second row undoubtedly looks to be the position where we need to strengthen, but I think that won't be sorted till 2026 when I reckon one out of Bentley or McDonnell will move on. Personally, I believe that if Gannon can overcome his concussion and get a run in the side he has the ability to be better than either, but it's a big "if" at this stage.

[quote="ArthurClues":gmv3sgp9]Second row undoubtedly looks to be the position where we need to strengthen, but I think that won't be sorted till 2026 when I reckon one out of Bentley or McDonnell will move on. Personally, I believe that if Gannon can overcome his concussion and get a run in the side he has the ability to be better than either, but it's a big "if" at this stage.[/quote:gmv3sgp9] Agree wholeheartedly on Gannon Arthur, but even if that if happens the back row still looks light both physically and in terms of depth for me.

[quote="Barrie’s Glass Eye":2dwmmlyq]Agree wholeheartedly on Gannon Arthur, but even if that if happens the back row still looks light both physically and in terms of depth for me.[/quote:2dwmmlyq] Totally agree. I think the powerhouse type second row that would complete the transformation from also rans to pack to be feared is probably to be found in the NRL. That would require one of the two quota spots we might have free at the end of the year.

Does anyone know if Ash's testimonial will be streamed like the Boxing day game?

[quote="DonnyTheRhino":20146514]Does anyone know if Ash's testimonial will be streamed like the Boxing day game?[/quote:20146514] it's on superleague+ and there's an early bird discount. the profits are going to the testimonial.

Should be a good test for 40 minutes at least on Sunday. Both coaches playing pretty much full strength with Arthur confirming Gannon will start and play 20 minutes maybe coming back on later in the second half. Also saying "the kids will play the second half".

[quote="Choc Ice":3a6zi02p]it's on superleague+ and there's an early bird discount. the profits are going to the testimonial.[/quote:3a6zi02p] To be fair while it might not be part of the spirit of a testimonial I'm not driving up from Nottingham for a friendly so to be able to chip in is a positive. Would definitely have paid more though. Will look into the other fund raising things. He's been a great player for the team. First half should be interesting.

2 40/20 attempts within the first 20! wow haven't seen that for a while!

Good strong opening 25 with some challenging attacking kicks , then it's turned a bit Leeds like, discipline, errors and the injuries to sivo and Jenkins. Biggest stand out is how strong mik is looking. Been the best prop out there.

Sivo injury aside, we’ve looked pretty good. Gannon dealt with their big physical threats and I thought Palasia was very good, which in turn meant Ackers was better. Discipline still needs a bit of cleaning up.

What's Jenkins injury please? Sivo one is pretty annoying when we didn't need a winger, let alone an overseas one.

[quote="Toosmooth":27f0kiz1]What's Jenkins injury please? Sivo one is pretty annoying when we didn't need a winger, let alone an overseas one.[/quote:27f0kiz1] He was concussed

Injuries aside a very pleasing performance I thought. Jack probably played his way to a bench spot. Gannon very good. Conner good again. If there’s one player that did disappoint a bit it’s Lisone. Needs to cut out the errors because he’s got people breathing over his shoulder now.

What was Sivos injury? Hopefully not too bad

Oledzki, Palasia, Holyroyd and Gannon impressed me. Ackers disappointed me. Distribution very slow but Wigan are very good at slowing it down. Possibly not helped by the gale either.

How bad is Sivo injury ?

[quote="Emagdnim13":75diu029]How bad is Sivo injury ?[/quote:75diu029] Not great, left knee. Going for scans tomorrow. Wouldn’t be surprised if he missed some weeks at least.

Seemed a bad choice by Sivo coming off his wing to prevent the kick by French I think. He fell off the tackle and French fell on to his lower leg. Let`s hope it`s not ligaments. Well impressed with Sinfield who didn`t shirk tackling some big blokes running at him. Standouts for me Connor once again who is offering more that Miller did last season and he kicks goals. Oledzki and Holroyd both ran hard and fronted up their forwards. No one mentioning Bentley who must have made 40 tackles out there and TNW and Palesena who ran the ball in hard. The young lads when they came on were very good considering their size. Very happy with that performance but worried about Sivo`s injury

[quote="rugbyleague88":fudvg2u2]Oledzki, Palasia, Holyroyd and Gannon impressed me. Ackers disappointed me. Distribution very slow but Wigan are very good at slowing it down. Possibly not helped by the gale either.[/quote:fudvg2u2] That's encouraging, a stronger pack will make a massive difference.

With the Sivo injury let’s hope it’s not long term/ season ending but it didn’t look good. One thing it means we will be able to get the rest of our strike players in the backline all in the starting 13 now you’d imagine Arthur can even go with. FB-Miller RW-Hall RC- Newman LC- Connor LW- Handley Or FB- Connor RW- Miller RC- Newman LC- Handley LW- Hall I personally do think Connor is a better all round full back than Miller plus a left side Of Handley & Hall could be lethal and Arthur Clearly wants Handley at centre hence him getting the 4 shirt. Time will tell but the main thing is I hope Sivo has a speedy recovery and that he doesn’t turn into Fusitua 2.0

[quote="chapylad":diz9zrj5]Seemed a bad choice by Sivo coming off his wing to prevent the kick by French I think. He fell off the tackle and French fell on to his lower leg. Let`s hope it`s not ligaments. Well impressed with Sinfield who didn`t shirk tackling some big blokes running at him. Standouts for me Connor once again who is offering more that Miller did last season and he kicks goals. Oledzki and Holroyd both ran hard and fronted up their forwards. No one mentioning Bentley who must have made 40 tackles out there and TNW and Palesena who ran the ball in hard. The young lads when they came on were very good considering their size. Very happy with that performance but worried about Sivo`s injury[/quote:diz9zrj5] Shame about Sivo. Let's hope it's a few weeks rather than a few months. You can't get carried away about friendlies, but in a very physical contest, with a fair bit of injury adversary, we got the better of the best team in the league. There's cause for a bit of hope, I think.

At first I thought Sivo had done his ankle but I wouldn`t be surprised if it`s his ACL which could be season ending.