Wakey and Cas are 6-6 at half-time so I guess it must be a hard game.

Andy Coley said on the Radio that he should be back for Monday. If this is the case, he replaces Paul Prescott for me.

Cameron Phelps looked fit to me warming up so he can slot in at fullback, Roberts to move back on to the wing and Goulding to replace Carmont.

I doubt Riddell will be fit for the Wakefield game, but if he is I would consider resting McIlorum who put in a massive effort today.

I also reckon we might see Liam Farrell get a place on the bench.

Exactly. It sounds harsh, but it's just as tough for Wakefield and every other team in Super League - apart from Harlequins/Crusaders - as it is for us. The Easter period is tough on everyone. Just as I posted on another thread, injuries are no excuse and neither is the turnaround. We should beat Wakefield on Monday.

We have an excellent squad and I hope we use it. Ben Davies and Liam Farrell will be desperate to impress if given a shot, just like Feka Paleaasina was today. Cameron Phelps should be fit and Coley said on the radio that he should be fit for Monday. Riddell can't be that far off if he just failed a fitness test. Shaun Ainscough can also be recalled if needed.

We should beat wakey , but we have to be 100% up for it or they will turn us over ...i remember back at Central Park in '94 (i think) when Henry Paul destroyed us against all the odds and i think there have been times since when they have beaten us...so come on Wigan lets keep the train rolling!..next stop Old Trafford

I don't see why you should have any problems. I was worried last week as I thought they were a banana skin but against a team that has a high defensive mentality they crumble. If you finish all breaks then you should be looking at a 30+ points difference.

I quite a fancy a big performance from us on Monday.

Obviously you can't knock what you've done so far this season and you've looked a fantastic side and rightly sit top of the tree. Easter Monday traditionally throws up crazy results all over the place though.

I remember a few years ago us getting absolutely trounced by Huddersfield at home on Good Friday and then going to Headingley on the Monday and smashing Leeds scoring 44 points in the process!

I think tonight was a lot less intense for us as it was for you at Saints, it was a close first half with a lot of errors and stoppages in play, the second half we totally dominated and Cas hardly got out of their own half. It was probably the least intense Wakey/Cas derby I've ever seen.

Look forward to it...

How many do you think you will bring?

In the past we might of lost this game but I really can't see it this season whouldnt be surprised if we smashed them

Do we know who the ref is?

Should be another good game as the title of the thread states this is a banana skin of a game for us as were expected to win but thats no disrespect to yourselves.

As you say our game V Saints does seem to have been the more intense but i still expect us to win. Under Maguire i cant see us producing another slack performance after the collapse against Bradford we have learnt our lesson.

Also to combat the potential tiredness we should have Phelps and Coley back in atleast, plus i expect Liam Farrell to be given his debut who is a fantastic prospect and has been in top form whilst playing for Widnes. I still maintain that as an attacking force we are miles better with Phelps at fullback compared to Roberts. Not taking anything away from Roberts as he is a phenominal player its just we just seem so much more structured and have so much more options as he can create at a similar level to Sam Tomkins.

I think you'll see a decent Wakey following 1000-1500 I reckon?

Despite our constant ups and downs this season with losing players left, right and centre it's been another good start from us, only one real disaster at home to hudds.

You have had a decent start especially with losing Brough and the poss of Tonc leaving.

TBH we should beat you looking down at your players and comparing them to ours i dont see you on top anywhwere bt anything can happen on the day as we all know.

Despite that i still expect a tight game with a possibility of running away with it in the second half like the Hull FC home game.

Should be 15,000 + then

Yep. It's Homer.

I dont think the current Wigan regime will let the team drop the intensity and focus for Monday, maybe in previous seasons, and even more so after the Bradford second half. Also, we still have a good squad to bring in some fresh legs if needed.

Can't see anything other than a Wigan win by 20+

Cookie settled in, easy second half and was like training for the lads last night, and we usually play well at wigan, and them having a tough game against saints all leads to me thinking Wakey by 6

Wigan 38 - 12 Wakefield

And you base that all on one game - stunning.

We have better props than you for a start, and the packs in general are similar. However you have Fielden which in itself puts you at a major disadvantage.

Hookers about the same,

Half backs you edge it.

Your backs are better.

Don't get above yourselves just yet.

By the way on paper Leeds, Saints and dare I say Hull have better squads than you - so what.

Fielden has been quality this year. Our 2nd row is the best in the league. And if Riddell is fit he's better than anything you have to offer.

There are at most 3 Saints players that would get in our starting 17 - Gidley, Graham & Eastmond.

Given it's at home I can't see us losing.


If it was away, then I would be less confident.

Well lets compare the teams ....

Blaymire Phelps
Blanch Richards
Murphy Goulding
Millard Gleeson
Morton Roberts
Cooke S Tomkins
Jeffries Leuluai
Tronc Coley
Obst Riddell
Moore Fielden
Henderson Bailey
Demetriou J Tomkins
Morrison Lockers

Interchange:

Korkidas Feka
King O'Carroll
Leo-Latu McLlorum
Kirmond Mossop

I think in each position we either slightly better than you or match you atleast bar maybe Tronc over Coley but Coley can compete with anyone on his day and this year hes been immense. Then we have Richards, Roberts, Lockers, Sam and Joel Tomkins a good way ahead or miles ahead.

Positives and negatives from the Cas game. It wasn't particularly intense and so we won't be quite as bashed up, but we weren't that impressive either. More of an efficient performance than a good one. Could be interesting on Monday.