It will definitely be interesting to see how the backline is adapted if French and Manfredi are OK for next week. French straight to fullback or replacing Hanley on the wing? Bibby to centre or keep him on the wing? Farrell or Isa if we only need one stand in centre?

French
Bibby
Zak
Faz (purely because it's the left side)
Dom

Back 3 of:

Isa
Smithies
Bateman

I do wonder which side a Manfredi will go on considering he’s normally a right sided winger and Bibby has been so good on that side. Add in the struggles Bibby had on the left in the friendly and it may well be that Manfredi switches. Reading between the lines in the bits I’ve seen it does sound like he may be another week yet but we’ll see.

I’m not ignoring York. I thought we went ok and did a professional job. We certainly weren’t poor.

It was similar to the game last night we never had to dig in because they never looked like challenging us.

Bibby and Zak went well last year so leave them there. Although, Bibby did play left side for Salford so I'm not sure it would be too much of a struggle for him to move.

My personal view is that Hardaker may actually be better on the wing than at centre. Great under the high ball, would return kicks strongly and be a more than decent finisher.

I'd be tempted to go:

French
Manfredi
Isa
Bibby
Hardaker

But swap Hardaker and Bibby and I think you have Lam's preferred backline (without Gildart and maybe Marshall).

Wigan forwards with more than 15 apps for 3+ clubs - John Bateman, Mitch Clark.

Edit - I've just been surprised to learn that, according to the dictionary, journeyman doesn't mean a player who plays for many clubs. Apparently it actually means 'A worker or sports player who is reliable but not outstanding'. Maybe he has a case after all.

I would say that Liam Farrell is better than Bateman

I was pleased with last nights game and performance. We are exactly where we need to be at this stage in the season with so many players out.

The only worrying thing for me is hardakers kicking. It is not good and could cost us one day. I don’t care if he’s the best one knocking them over in training, he isn’t doing it when it matters and needs to give someone else a go. There’s been 2 the past 2 weeks that haven’t even made the distance.

Yep that is exactly what I meant.
Guilty as charged m’lud.
Bateman and Farrell aside that is exactly what our pack is. Hopefully young Havard will join that duo.

Having journeymen is not a disparaging remark in fact all good teams need them particularly in a capped sport.
We just have too many for the prop position and to a lesser degree in the second row. We don’t have a loose forward of any description. Powell is decent but just short of being top class.

Our work ethic and discipline for me is the best in the competition but unfortunately for us that usually isn’t enough to win silverware.

I think in defence of Lennigan and Radlinski the unlikely act of Hastings actually triggering his 2nd year option probably derailed any plans in acquiring a new decent prop.
Offsetting that is the fact that the club thought that Clark was good enough and now apparently Clubb is good enough to go around for yet another season.

It does if you're American. I'm not American.

I’ve used journeymen for decades to describe decent players but not at the highest standard.
It’s definitely used in boxing parlance.
It’s used differently in soccer. Maybe you’re a soccer fan

Exactly, I don't care who makes the metres. it doesn't matter

Defiantly a British term for a time served tradesman who is good but maybe not the best.

Seems to have become a derogatory term when it’s intention is actually complimentary.

Only ever heard it used to describe someone with multiple clubs and little success or in boxing for someone with multiple fights and little success. I have no idea what "soccer" is.

I still don't think our pack is full of journeymen whichever definition we use.

Our pack is 1 prop away from being very good.

It’s that simple in my opinion.

Agree.

The greatest rugby league side ever aren’t doing too well against poor Wakefield at the moment.

They seem to be doing ok now though

Yeah should have kept my mouth shut



Although only doing what we did

Amateur moment

Looks like super coach Ian Watson will be available soon.

Next Wigan coach?

I'll bite...

I've said that I don't like Lam as a head coach & that is based off more than this season's results. Likewise, I like Watson for the same reasons.

I'll happily state what I want - I want our "Bellamy" i.e a long term option of a head coach. One that will develop players (like Lam has done) & make the tough decisions + be here for 10/15 years +.

That might be too much to ask, but I feel that SL is so up and down that a good coach can take what we've got (great kids/players) and be dominant over a decade.

Is Lam that guy?

There's only one man that fits that bill: Shaun Wane!

For all the success Bellamy gets a lot of stick for ruining the game through various tackling and ruck control techniques. Sound familiar? The major upside is the Storm can play attractive rugby and Bellamy is outstanding at developing players.