Do we think Smith has the balls to put this team out V Wigan or is he going to put Atkins et al back in? It's tough because on their day, Atkins, GOB etc can be great and today we played a non existent side. Do we keep this team or take the gamble that Wigan at the DW will be enough to stir some passion into our play? Atkins' defence can be unplayable sometimes in big games. Was GOB rested or dropped? Penny has done nothing wrong and everything right bar a couple defensive mishaps. I don't think Ormsby is anything more than solid on previous showings...

I am under the impression that Atkins is injured.

I'd like to think that Penny was rested, today.
Atkins was absolute dog's business last week. Hopefully he'll be back to his best, come Thursday (Smith WILL play him)
Having missed today's game (due to me not realising we were playing Saturday), I don't think Smith will be playing Patton, doubtless of how well he may have played today, GO'B will be back. I don't think Smith will be prepared to take "the risk" of a green kid, as opposed to the "safety" of O'Brien.

Eddie has just this second (as I'm typing) mentioned our 80 point win. His tone of voice couldn't be any more clear......you can hear the disappointment......poor lad.

Despite being included in the squad ,Wire fm said before kick off that Atkins is likely to be out for 6 weeks ,so he may have picked up an injury in training.

Atkins has a broken sternum.

It was said on one of the other threads he's got a fractured sternum.

King stays in then? Or Russell to the wing and Joel into centre?

Think one of Ormsby/King deserve to keep there place at least. Can't see Tony picking Patton v Wigan or Leeds.

keep the same team lets see what patton is really made of..will do the lad a world of good to play at wigan....after all hes earned it...give king a go as well..how demoralising must be to be told your not playing after playing really well...

We will never progress and what's the point of the youth policy if we won't play them if that are good enough,, Patton will be fine ratch and myler will look after him, he was quality today the team looked a team, same team starts for me, maybe put England to start with hill, otherwise no change,

Here's the question...will we beat Pies returning to the same team we had over the last month?
I very much doubt it, so if we're going to go down, at least let's go down trying something different.

Patton keeps his place, GOB to reserves.

Agreed keep Patton in there keep Ormsby in there as well!!
Impressed with both those boys today..!

Ratchford
Monaghan
Bridge
T King
Penny
Patten
Myler
Hill
Higham
England
Sims
Westwood
Currie

Clark
Harrison
Asotasi
Laithwaite

I'd pick exactly the same team......no changes.

Smith has already said Patton will be playing next week.

Good to hear even though he will be targeted by the thugs.

I think he would handle himself though.

If TS is happy with the playing capability within his team to take on Wigan then this week's training would be best spent seeing how to get on the front foot & deal with the Wigan heavy mob right from the opening whistle. Do unto them as they would do unto you.
Intimidation is the Wigan strong point & dealing with that is half way to winning.

Perhaps Yed could add an extra to the prediction comp.
Which Pie takes out the 1st back!?

Think i would prefer Ratch & Bridge in the halves next week

Dont feed the Duck

Stick with the lads for me. Be good to see Toby King get a run of games now as he is going to be an excellent player if he continues his career at this rate.

As for Patton, he came in and earned his start, GOB may not like it but that's team sport. He needs get his head down (which he will be doing as he is an honest lad) and work hard to get his place back when opportunity arises.

As for Ormsby, I'm not sure between him and Kev as Penny gives us that frightening speed which our back line lacks otherwise. I think Ormsby is defensively safer however.

Wigan will use their usual bully boy tactics, McIlorum, Farrell and Bateman will be at it from minute 1 but we are more than capable of going there and getting the win.

Let's have a massive following despite it being Thursday and on Sky. Nothing better than having that away end booming at JJB/DW as it has been many times over the years.

Stick with Patton and Toby.
No question. That includes Atkins having to fight for his place. Toby played left centre a good as anyone this season in PnB.

Only change I'd possibly make is bringing Penny back in, but I'm not sure who for. Ormsby had a good game for me, took his first try really well. Bridge also had a good game and Monas/Ratch won't get dropped. Plus King got man of the match. Gene is the most likely candidate but it'd be incredibly harsh.

Penny was dropped I think last week. Not rested.