It's hard to say that we've missed him, as he hasn't turned out for us yet. Wrench looks like he could miss out with Williams returning, and he should be in front of Minikin for a centre spot should King or Mata'utia be injured/rested. I'd imagine that it would be either Ashton or Charnley to make way for him to get a start in the team. The proviso there would be if DP plays at FB when he returns (which I would very much disagree with) then Thewlis should get the wing spot. Harrison & Minikin being available would add competition for places, which ought to be a very good thing and make it easier for DP to drop anyone not buying into his way/style of playing.

A few weeks back we had a group of individuals not wishing to put a shift in. Wrench was probably one of a group of players who wanted to do his best for the cause and was rather vexed off with the more senior players who were not earning their shirt. He's in front of Minikin in my pecking order, and it's up to Minikin to bide his time and take the opportunity when it arises, as Wrench has already done in my view.

Minikin is a better winger than centre.

Of course Minikin is not going to get in the team without earning it. But he like Ashton & Charnley is an experienced winger and it will be good to have him about. I don't think we need to start thinking about dropping anyone. What so often happens is that someone gets injured and we don't even need to think about what if all the players were available
For what it's worth most agree that Wrench looks a centre and Thewlis is a very handy full back.

We seem to agree on most points, other than how have we missed Minikin?

Wrench has proven uncomfortable on the wing, I think Wakey home and Hul KR away. We could have done with Minikin who would have done a better job there.

I’d agree that I wouldn’t want Minikin taking that first reserve centre spot from Wrench.

Thats a fair point, we have missed the cover at times this season, so from a squad point of view he has been missed. I think it will be a blessing in disguise really, maybe it's one of those things that will work out well in the end, Ashton and in particular thewlis got more gametime than they would have if minikin was fit. I would think thewlis is well and truly in Powells long term plans now and matty Ashton has done himself no harm either.

I wasn't aiming a pop and saying we don't need Minikin by the way, more suggesting the youngsters who have covered have done well.

I think the timing for Harrison will be good as well, the pack have upped their game massively IMO from the earlier rounds. It wouldn't have been great for him to be thrown in to a regularly beaten pack at the start of the season and expected to be our saviour. Hopefully he will be eased in under a bit less pressure in June, I think the pressure will be on Philbin when Harrison is fit.

Just to clarify. Obviously Powell rates him so I think it is fair to say he would have played some games at the very least and that means we have missed him.

This is how I believe we haven't missed Minikin. It's unfortunate for Minikin that he has been injured and not been able to turn out for us, but we don't know how that has affected how effective he will now be. I wish him well and look forward to him performing and deserving a shirt on the strength of his performances, as I would with any other member of our squad. Until then, I cannot miss something that I've never had.

That would be fine if the players who have steeped in hadn't have performed. Powell obviously rates Holmes, but I've been totally underwhelmed by him so far, therefore, it's not a given that Minikin would have performed at the level we would want. I cannot miss if buts and maybes.

Agree with the minikin part. I just feel if minikin had been fit there may have been a reluctance to give Ashton and/or thewlis a run of games, as it has panned out I feel we have more and stronger options than we did at the start of the season. I think thewlis should be first choice fullback in the squad and for me right now he would probably be the first name on the team sheet. If minikin was fit thewlis may have only had the same opportunity that Riley Dean has had.

Holmes has done alright, nothing particularly stand out but I prefer him to Hughes.

Does no one else think Charnley is most at risk from a fit Minikin?

You've a good point Captain I'm not seeing Ashton as the first choice to drop out and as we seem to favour our left, chances for Charnley are becoming a bit rarer the pressure is definitely on

I hope gets a brace tonight.

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Quote ="Captain Hook"Does no one else think Charnley is most at risk from a fit Minikin?'" Possibly looking for a return to the dark side:- https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrIdVv ... PWwgUNx2c-

mm, maybe at the start of the season, but after his try scoring start, not so much

I really don’t like to pick on him, but he just doesn’t seem to back himself from more than 20 metres out like he used to. Like UR I hope he scores a couple tonight to prove me wrong.

Charnley is at risk in the future in terms of salary cap space I would suggest but right now he is our best winger IMO.

Ashtons performances this year are challenging that I think, seems to make more meters in his carry off our own line and obviously has far more threat in terms of pace. If I was choosing between Ashton & Charnley right now, I’d probably pick Ashton.

i'm probably tempting fate, but i think ashton has looked improved under high balls this year

I agree, it depends on how much Charnley is prepared to lose off his current salary during contract negotiations with Wire for his prospective 2023 onwards contract.

The forwards that Wire need for next year will consume a lot more Salary Cap space than the current incumbents, and hence the need to reduce expenditure elsewhere.

The salaries of widdop, ratchford, Hughes and Jason Clark alone should get us a top class prop and maybe another second rower(not been impressed with Holmes one bit). I don't think charnley staying or going, although I think he's off, should affect our chances of improving the pack.

I think our fans take Ashton for granted or underrate him. Other than get injured and make ONE mistake in a semi final, he really hasn't put a foot wrong since he joined us. He is so exciting when he gets the ball with any room.

Be interesting to see what Powell decides. The brave move could be to not replace Widdop and use Ratchford at half to transition Dean to the role as 2023 progresses. Thewlis full back full time.

Widdop money to spend big on a prop.

Hughes and Clark money to bring in someone capable of covering Back Row / Loose position from the bench rotating with Magoulias if he stays. Tanginoa has been mentioned, seemed great when he joined Wakey but seems a little quieter recently playing predominantly prop I think so not sure what’s happened there.

Mulhern & Cooper out of contract, both worth of a spot in 2023 I think if we can bring in a significant prop signing.

Whitehead, Burgess & Gannon to hopefully kick on and provide support for injuries.

Holmes will come good I think, already an upgrade on Hughes and I’m not sure Longstaff is ready to take the role full time.

Rumoured to be in for Tanginoa.

Seems more of a common sense move than a brave move. You've proven that spending marquee money on halfbacks is not the way to go and Thewlis should be nailing the fullback spot this year, nevermind next. Dean too, difficult to see how you drop him after that performance against Huddersfield and if he repeats that surely what you suggest happens?