https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/07/ ... field-r20/

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/07/ ... field-r20/

Some interesting selection decisions to me made. If everyone is fully fit and available, I think Field goes back to one and then you need to decide who plays at 6. It feels like the time may have come to just get plenty of experience in to the side and put Hampshire in there, with Keighran coming back in at right centre.

Any doubt what so ever with Field and its not worth risking him obviously. Would rather see him miss next 1,2,3 games if it meant he came back 100% and firing.

Please don't have 4 props on the bench again...

I'd be tempted to rest Nsemba this week, would have rested Miski as well but Douglas isn't in the squad.

If it was me I’d go

Field
Miski
Eckerlsey
Wardle
Marshall
Keighran
Smith
Thompson
Leeming
Havard
Farrell
Walters
Ellis

Nsemba
Mago
Dupree
Hampshire


Although they’d be a temptation to rest Thompson/Ellis/Havard and save them for Leigh, giving Byrne/Hill/Eseh an opportunity.

I would have Field back in at FB, Hampshire to 6 with Farrimond dropping out for a bit , Eckersley on the bench to cover (assuming Keighran is back). Faz and N'Semba 2nd row.

I suppose it depends on what they've trained for. Just got a feeling that Field won't play this week, though.

Peet has confirmed he’ll feature.

Field wanted to play last week but we held him back. I think he will be good to go

Yeah and also that Keighran and Leeming are fine and Eseh likely won't play yet.

I think i'd go-

Field
Miski Keighran Wardle Marshall
Hampshire Smith
Havard Leeming Thompson
Walters Farrell Ellis

subs
Byrne Dupree Nsemba Eckersley

I think the team generally has a better balance when Byrne starts and Havard replaces him.

As long as someone can tell Byrne to keep hold of the ball on the first tackle

Tend to agree with that.
Not bothered how we play as long as we win.
Wouldn’t surprise me to see Keighran at 6. I understand the need to take Farrimond out of the firing line but Hampshire doesn’t fill me with confidence re his defence hence Keighran to add some “beef”.

Well that all sounds good if Field is fit to go, a win is a must here.

Agreed - Im usually only happy when we play well but this really is one where the result is all that counts. Not really sure what to expect - its possible confidence took a real hit last week and changing up the spine again may take some adjusting to.

The Leigh and Leeds games look real tough ones to me but if we win tomorrow I think we still are capable of breaking back into the top 2 by the end of the year.

We'll finish top 2 by a few points IMO. Hull KR have a really tough run in, including coming to our place. I think finishing first could be beyond us, especially as Wire have London to play twice yet.

I don't usually look forward to Hudds at home for obvious reasons, but I am looking forward to tomorrow.

It'll be interesting to see how we respond. I think it'll take us time and it will be a tight win. It feels like we'll be limping for a few weeks in our lull to me.

A top 2 finish is key, as we'd fancy our chances at home versus anyone in a semi. It's a different proposition at Craven Park or the Haliwell Jones.

Hopefully these two losses have been exactly what we've needed and we look back at this period in October, much like we did last year about our time around Magic.

If Byrne starts i hope they let Luke or Ellis take the first ball in.

Having Faz back in the 2nd row will stiffen the defence, but I'm guessing Faz steps in to cover Leeming when he goes off after Nsemba/Walters has replaced Faz for a breather.

It would be nice to see Farrimond given/take some more responsibility but having Field back in the attacking line gives us far more attacking threat out wide and doubt in the defenders minds rather than just targeting Smith.

Field, Leeming start, Hampshire at 6, Mago Dupree Walters Eckersley on bench, Byrne out the 17

Eckersley covers for Field/Keighran, Hampshire/Farrell covers Leeming?

Not sure what rules we are playing under but the slowest ruck I’ve seen all season and as blatant a hit forward by Bibby for the try as you’ll ever see. Our right edge is dreadful and disconnected on every play which is showing no sign of being fixed.

Looks like the lull is continuing

Shocking flat performance so far into the first half.

Forwards losing contact again however the ref is letting literally anything and everything go in the ruck.

Must be the slowest PTB I’ve seen in over a decade tonight.

That being said errors and low completion rate is killing us.

Awful game to watch from a Wigan following point of view.

Smith has been awful as our midfield general. Nearly always picks the right option however so far tonight he’s picked nearly every wrong option.

Get Hampshire off and he should never be anywhere near another 17. He's that bad he wouldn't get a game for Saints. Terrible

You got the feeling it would be a long night after bombing that early chance...

Smith and Hampshire have been incredibly poor.