So you're saying if Tomkins had been banned Wigans forwards wouldn't be too strong for Wire? What an interesting analysis!

No. I am saying that had Tomkins been banned, Wigan's attack would have been so reduced it would have compensated for Wire's weaker pack.

Both teams will have a few players out but both also have great squads. Even enough for me.

Genuinely couldnt call this game until the squads are announced due to there being a few too manys ifs and buts on who will be playing due to injuries.

Should be a cracker.

I wouldn't call this game at all. Two very well matched sides and certainly the best two teams in the competition.

Agreed,
But I think Wire have the advantage because of last weekend. I was speaking to a mate of mine who says he feels "jet lagged" after the Wembley weekend, so I guess the players will struggle a little. Just look at Warringtons results in 2009 and 2010 the weekend after Wembley.

Oddly, I feel a bit "not fussed" about the result of this week's game. I'm sure that will change though.

Ive said before that this is almost a complete non entity of a game.
Much depends on how Wigan come out of their celebrations from last weekend, if they are all ok then their pack will be too much for ours. I suspect fatique will set in during the second half though which should enable wire to capitalise but im not over confident of a wire win.

If we do win I can see us getting beat by Hull FC next week anyway which would hand the league leaders shield to Wigan.

The serious stuff starts the week after with round 1 of the playoffs. Then we will see what wire are made of.

Be won after Wembley last year. Away. In London.

Yes, you beat the second bottom of the league, the year before you were hammered at HKR

Well, you've been given the tools to beat us, bans, referee, Thomas signing boost.

I expect the Wigan machine to roll us.

With a weakened team if I remember rightly. Rhys Evans debut and all that....

free crumpets that day mmmm

Stevo has just said on SSN that he thinks we'll win, and he might even have a bet on us

Have you rang Tony smith and told him yet, I'm sure he'd let you take a training session

Wigan got the rub of the green at Wembley, it couldnt have gone better for them. We all saw it and we all know it. From the antics of Tomkins to the dopey reffing, it all went their way.

They tend to be a club that gets more than their fair share of the rub. But as the best defence and best attack team of Wire should be able to use up all Wigan's luck.
Plus we're due our bit of luck, for its that close, a call here and there will probably decide it, I hope the ref doesn't give it to them two weeks running.

Frankly its Hull I fear not Wigan, we've beaten Wigan this season, we havent beat hull !

Draw. 24-24. Wire scoring last 25 seconds and Bridge kicking goal from touchline.

Is hodgson fit ?

leaving it til the last possible moment to announce squad to give him biggest chance.

Can't wait for 12.45 on Sunday when kick off comes and we can focus on what should be a fantastic match rather than stupid bickering over V signs, Gareth Thomas, age of squads etc etc....

Wigan fans aren't bothered about this one.

Wigan also took the foot of the gas against Leeds just incase they feel like winning on Sunday.

I think we wil beat Wigan, then lose at Hull.

Alot of Wire thinking this............

Don't be silly Mark.

A lot? I've counted two, the other being Colin (beware the Ides of March) Fishwick.