I hope everything is ok with Impape and that this move is just to add depth to the squad and not a replacement.

We started recruiting 10 months ago, so without being disrespectful, I would've let Ben Nakubuwai go and, we should've been looking for other forwards back then who was on the merry go round. It's also clear a quality halfback was required back then. Let's hope Mellor get's back asap.

Does anyone know what is wrong with Mellor. No news from the club as to the reason behind his absence or for how long.

I did read that Mellor would be out for a month at the start of the season, so maybe he could be ready for the home game against Saints or Wire away the week after.

Derek ,I agree at best Reynolds is a good Championship stand off, not in SL class , we need Mellor back soon , as there are no gimmes in this League , Reynolds wasn’t up to it last season , he’s certainly not up to it this season.

I can't agree with you more Ian. Ian, once you have a good pack giving you a platform/foundation, you need a good spine to create chances, and execute to deliver, and we haven't. Catalans had probably their weakest team you will see this season, and we still couldn't get the result. I won't accept folk coming on here making excuses. We have to face the reality, and the true facts we are facing right now.

Derek , this is hard to say , but i think it’s true after all the money Derek has spent this season it’s now or never for the Club , he deserves success for his effort , but he and Lammy need the players to do their bit , I just feel Reynolds is out of his depth , it’s harsh but true.
I’ve Heard Tpau are playing for the Saints game

What if the 'reality' & 'true facts' are actually just opinions about players abilities? You've made your mind up about our halves, I haven't. And that's fine. Hope you can accept it.

Of course you're entitled to your opinion Mick, but the fact is, Lammy did say that we are working hard to build pressure only to come away with nothing. The clubs aim was to be mid table, or even maybe the playoffs. Can't see that happening to be honest. We really should've got something out of our opening 2 games. I still think we should've been trying to get a quality halfback to collaborate with Lam with Mellor as 3rd choice. My opinion of course.

Drinkwater was released at short notice. Having played for Leigh before, he might not have wanted to come back anyway. Not every player has a good experience at the LSV.

I would have thought O'Brien would have been a good choice, but he did not look good in the halves against Leeds, but is solid at Fullback. Hardaker is one of the best Fullbacks in the comp, but we are weak in the Centre position. Chamberlain had a good season in the Championship, but he looked out of place during the World Cup, and fluffed a couple of good opportunities.

Overall Leigh are looking competitive in defence but have no cutting edge in attack. Lam cannot be expected to lift the team on his own. Mellor is a big loss, and Reynolds might be a trier but he lacks game management.

Ipape carrying an injury is not helping with our attack. No sniping from dummy half and the second rowers are not finding any gaps as a consequence.

It is early days, but there are no easy games in this league.

Why don't we play Ipape at 6 ?

He'll still be carrying an ankle injury! Hopefully Joe M will be available for KR.

Any new team needs at least 6 games to gel. Unfortunate that we don't have Lam and Mellor playing together in those 6 games. We definitely need more size in the forwards, even with Ava joining us. This season is one of consolidation. We were never going to be challenging for anything. And Ipape is never going to be MOS. Isn't fair to put that pressure on him. It's between us and Wakey for relegation and on present form Wakey are certs whereas we will improve a lot.

Only played a couple of games and bringing in players on loan,Not a good sign

3 problem areas for Leigh, Halves, Centre and Hooker. In interviews Peet and Lam talk about Shorrocks utility. The squad contains Mellor and Ipape, so I am guessing Shorrocks takes Centre and Hardaker moves back to Fullback.

All based on how fit Mellor and Ipape are.

With no Smith in the 21 man squad, I can't see Ipape not playing. I agree with Shorrocks at Centre, and then it's between Mellor and O'Brien in the halves.

Graham , I love a bet but there is no such thing as cert, Constitution Hill is 1-3 for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in a couple of weeks , he looks unbeatable , but is no Cert , we will have to beat Wakey 3 times this season to have a chance to survive .

Derek just been chatting with some Wigan members of the family , they really rate young Shorrocks , he can also play hooker , Chamberlain,Reynolds,Gannon and Davis , my 4 missers from the 21 players in the squad .

That becomes an interesting scenario now.

I would imagine Sharrocks will start at hooker with no Smith. He has a good defence which will suit early in the game, then Impape to come on as he does later. So either Chamberlain at centre and Hardacker at fullback or Hardacker at centre and O’Brien at fullback.

Joe Shorrocks loan period extended.

Back to Wigan this week. How was he?

Dont think he would have been allowed to play against Wigan anyway,thats the usual agreement in loan deals

As long as he isn’t being asked all insider knowledge and planned moves etc. I bet he won’t be in their squad and he will be back at Leigh next week.

Shorrocks named in the Wigan squad