https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/09/ ... le-header/ Same again I expect unless MP tinkers with the bench

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/09/ ... le-header/ Same again I expect unless MP tinkers with the bench

Walters on the bench for Byrne perhaps, seeing as Byrne wasn't even used last week.

Otherwise, the same.

Just Walters for Byrne for me. I see no point in carrying Byrne on the bench, ahead of a guy who can cover a few positions (including the one Byrne plays in), if Byrne isn't going to get many/any minutes.

No Miller for Leeds I see. He blows hot and cold but on his day, he can cause you all sorts of bother, so that doesn't hurt us.

Who plays fb when’s he’s not playing?

Similar team for me. Be good to continue building the fluidity in attack, we scored some special tries last week.

We definitely owe them one after Headingley a few weeks back. The same mental approach as last week will do; don’t get involved in the Lewis’ and Bentleys of this world!

Presume it'll be the young kid (Edgell) who got 4 tries on the wing last week. I remember him starting at fullback early in the season when Miller missed a game.

Still no Mike Cooper.
I hope he's recovering ok from his head injury.

Yes, very likely Edgell to FB with Riley Lumb starting on the wing.

Yea gone on awhile now hopefully just protocol and nothing long lasting. A shame as don’t think he’ll be back for the rest of this year. Two years on the trot he’s been hindered by injuries

Still wouldn't surprise me to see him start out of nowhere in the playoffs. He's started both the Challenge Cup and the WCC.

Firstly you just hope Cooper is ok and if he doesn't get back for us, that will be a real shame. If he did manage to make it back in the next couple of weeks, I think Peet would find a place for him in the 17 (likely that spot Byrne had on the bench on Friday). Listening to Brad O'Neill in that Wigan Way podcast, it's pretty clear Cooper is a massive leader at the club.

Same 17 as last week, discipline chaps, that's what we need tonight

Looking at the teams and placing in the league and being a home game this SHOULD be routine but Leeds really do seem to have our number the last few seasons, they seem to be able to withstand our dominance in the pack and have a bend not break defence that seems to stop us scoring even when we spend lots of time in their 20, they’re also coming off a routine mauling of Hull and we had a ding dong against Hull KR. I think the first try will be key in this, if they get ahead it could be another tough game against them.

Think we will win with 20 can't see Leeds scoring more than 1 try. Last week was a step up and we will be looking to do the same each week hopefully peaking at Old Tafford

I think Leeds will score and could still cause us problems. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Hopefully strong start get a few try’s in and a jog to the end however I don’t think we’ve had many of those games this year

It’s the start we needed and we look good, hope we keep the foot on the gas here.

He was in touch then released the ball shocking

French - Un-playable
Field - Looking very dangerous
Smith - Brilliantly managed game
Byrne - Best spell of the season
Havard - Solid
Thompson - Player of the season-esque performance again
Centre-Winger combo's all working in tandem

We are coming to the boil

That dip looks very planned from a peaking point of view.

The intensity in the first 15 was up there with the Penrith game.

All the players deserve credit and mentions however Keighran has been a bit marmite for me this year but he was outstanding tonight in my opinion.

Job done. The line speed in the first 15 or so was on a level we’ve not seen for months. We’re unplayable when we defend like that. Bevan seems to have dusted off the cobwebs too.

The most pleasing element for me is knowing if we are more clinical we can be a good bit better.

I think we bombed 3 or 4 tries tonight when we had shape and opportunity but did t quite execute it correctly.

Job well done, credit to HKR, thought Leigh would've given them a game tonight.
Coming off the ground did they announce the Salford game's been moved to Thursday, couldn't make out what was said?

Wigan were excellent but was hoping for more of a contest tonight really. Great to see Smith, French and Field back firing together.

Exactly, you can't be at your peak every week. Sometimes you have to train, fitness vs fresh etc. Just 3 more to go, with a week off. We will be peaking perfectly.