I realise we have drifted off topic but Joel has been the biggest disappointment of this season for me. When he returned to the club I was expecting - after a period of acclimatisation - that he would be like Ben Westwood used to be. He has all the attributes of size, pace and aggression but he looks nothing like that to me. Instead, a younger, smaller player in Bateman is embarrassing him on a regular basis. I accept he has been moved from pack to backs but so has Bateman and Ablett does it regularly also. It's a shame, but how good could he have been if he hadn't gone to RU? Still, I don't suppose his bank manager would agree with me.

I feel the opposite. Joel has had a good season for me. I wasn't expecting much and I think he's done well considering not many return from Union. His offloads are amongst the best in the comp and his 'soft hands - inside pass' to the fullback is very difficult to execute properly and very difficult to defend against.

John Bateman has embarrassed most players this season anyway. I'm just glad that we have both Joel and Batty along with Faz and Lockers. I'm sorry that we had to let Jack Hughes go, because he's had a good season at the Giants, but there was no way he could force his way in past those 4.

Waney has had his standard pre-derby chirp

Only in response to Wilkin saying that "Saints were the only team to stop Leeds". I've been critical of Wane doing teams' prematch teamtalks for them but what he's said this week (so far) is fair enough AFAIC

After the wild Sky Sports-led celebrations we were subjected to when they last beat us, he can chirp on our behalf all he wants. If he doesn't do it, it's clear no-one else will.

Tbh I'd rather we beat them first and then bring that comment up in the post match interview.

I've been happy with Joel Tomkins this year. He started the season like a house on fire but when he got moved in to the centres for a spell of a good few weeks he started to struggle. Since he's gone back in to the pack he's picked up again and is playing well now. Some of his link up play with Bowen has been a joy to watch.

He'll play a big part, good or bad, in our last few games. If we're successful then Joel will have played a part.

Wigan Warriors 19-Man Squad

John Bateman, Matty Bowen, Joe Burgess, Josh Charnley, Tony Clubb, Dom Crosby, Connor Farrell, Ben Flower, Anthony Gelling, Oliver Gildart, Ryan Hampshire, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Sean O’Loughlin, Larne Patrick, Sam Powell, Matty Smith, Joel Tomkins & George Williams

Referee - Robert Hicks

Atelea Vea returns to the line-up following his layoff with Alex Walmsley missing out.

Keiron Cunningham will select his 17 from:

2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Jordan Turner, 4. Josh Jones, 5. Adam Swift, 6. Travis Burns, 7. Luke Walsh, 8. Mose Masoe, 9. James Roby, 10. Kyle Amor, 11. Atelea Vea, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15. Mark Flanagan, 17. Mark Percival, 18. Luke Thompson, 19. Greg Richards, 21. Joe Greenwood, 25. Andre Savelio, 37. Adam Quinlan.

I assume the Saints regulars that are noticeable by their absence on this thread aren't feeling too confident? Normally, YG et al would be all over this.

It's only a matter of time....

Saints are only missing two from their first 17, Lomax and Walmsley.
I think we are the same with two missing, Sarginson and Farrell.

Gelling, Tautai and Manfredi as well ?

gelling is in the 19

I very rarely post any predictions,etc in the days leading up to derbies, confident or not, as they are normally tough games to call.

If somebody had a gun to my head and demanded a prediction I'd say Saints by less than 6 but I say that with no real confidence.

As for the poster discussing players missing, no chance Tautai would be in your first choice 17 and it's arguable that Manfredi would get in before Charnley or Burgess when it came to the crunch so 2 players missing each sounds about right.

Having said that, Cunningham said in the week that Burns is struggling and also Savelio was unwell last week and isn't guaranteed to be ready for Friday either. Hopefully both will be OK.

How many times has he not been picked when not been fit? Strange opinion that one

Just the 25 appearances this season

During the season you've had O'Loughlin and Farrell both missing and various problems in the centres where Bateman or Tomkins have had to cover and in doing so created an extra spot to fill in the pack. Therefore 25 appearances doesn't surprise me. How many of those 25 appearances have happened when there's been a full squad to choose from?

Be honest, and put aside the fact you would love to try and prove me wrong, if Shaun Wane had a full squad to pick from would he pick Tautai?

I think we all know he wouldn't.

Considering he has played prop all season then yes he would be picked IMO

Crosby
McIlorum
Flower
Tomkins
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Bateman
Mossop
Clubb

Is pretty much nailed on. You would then have Logan Tomkins or Sam Powell as the last bench spot or if he wanted another forward I'd have Ryan Sutton or Larne Patrick before Tautai. He is an accident waiting to happen.

Logan Tomkins? Doubt it, probably gone for good now!

All this bleating about team injuries does my head in a little.

The modern game is all about squad strength. It really does seem to emanate from the unwashed over the hill in all season long. Boo Hoo get over it.

Ironic when it was Wigan fans listing how many you had missing.

Just gives you lot another excuse to dip into the overseas market.



Remember the bad old days on here when Saddo took joy in bragging that the Wigan club were a team riddled with mediocre overseas imports whilst Saints promoted from within.

How times change eh?

Nice to have you back YG, must be derby week

Not saying Tautai has been brilliant but if everyone was fit I think it's fair to say Wane would give him that last bench spot with McIlorum playing the full 80. He's never dropped Tautai so difficult to claim he isn't a first choice player

+1 (except Charnley in for Manfredi)

I'm a big Gelling fan but he looked well off the pace last week. Give him a week on dual reg then bring him back against Cas. If L.Farrell isn't fit I'd start with Patrick) finally hit a bit of form) and bring C.Farrell off the bench