To pick up on Tierney. He's 3rd choice. Sam 1st, Escare 2nd. Anywhere near full strength he doesn't get a game. There's 2 players ahead of him at full back and 4 at winger. You won't find a better player in the league that far down the pecking order.

As for the game tonight, missing Sam T, Escare, Manfredi, Gelling, Gildart, Flower, Clubb and Bateman, all but 1 are in our best 17 to loose a game against a good side and virtually full strength side who are on a high after last weeks win, have a buzz about the place after signing Barba and have the new coach syndrome is a phenomenal effort imo. I thought we were very unlucky to loose and have to credit both sides for offering up a fantastic game of rugby.

Unfortunately for us injurys have affected our season so much that we will struggle to get the chance to defend our Trophey. To say I'm sick of performing well but not winning I think is unfair on the players, especially the kids and reserves who are giving everything they've got for the club.

Can't believe some people on here are writing the season off for Wigan at this point. As an outsider looking in, i think you are doing as well as can be expected with the injuries so far, competing with the best teams and still only 2 points from 4th spot, which is all you need to have a very shot at the GF with a fit squad in september. As bodies come back in the next few weeks i expect Wigan to go on a run and by the time of the super 8's be right in the mix, after all, bar Cas there isn't a right lot to get worried about above you in the table right now.

The reason we didn't get four points is entirely our own fault. Last night two kickable penalties turned down and we just are not showing the kind of attacking form to be doing that particularly in the last 25m. You play as if your backs are to the wall because you can't rely on a team with lots of kids in it to stay composed for 80 minutes. Win the game before you start turning down the points on offer.

When you have players out and kids in the team you need to adapt but we are playing as if we had the entire first team on the pitch. When Lockers goes off the wheels come off.

Was there any point kicking for two from two points up though? I'd rather try to make use of the field position and turn the screw in that situation. Same reasoning as why teams don't go for a drop goal every time they get near the opposition line. Obviously it didn't work out because we gave up possession, but I'd be looking at that part rather than the decision to run it.

Nothing complex about the reasons we lost- dropped ball, daft penalties and Williams running around like a headless chicken.

In terms of missing personnel its the lack of centres thats hurting us.

It's difficult to be too critical when the team puts in an effort like that (and last week versus Wire). I do think our tactic of kicking towards Grace on the last was a waste, although it did pay off on one occasion with possession back. Would much rather we kicked over towards 6 foot 4 Burgess and go for a try. It worked for them twice and ultimately won them the game!

The loss of Forsyth last night was key. He had done a good job on Percival but showed his inexperience when he got the head knock and should have just stayed down and to bring it to the refs attention. On the next play Saints kicked to where he should have been and scored.
In the second half Percival had much more joy on their left hand side when facing Isa.

Outstanding effort, just silly errors and a few bad decisions, and the fact we don't have a genuine fullback at the moment.

Yes, agree with that, especially the bit about the rest of the competition, Cas aside, not looking all that.

Very true, plus of course we were missing Joel inside him, and for all the criticism he gets he is a good tackler. But yeah, just too many missing. TBH I thought all the players did well overall, just some got punished for one single mistake.

I agree Forsyth should have stayed down, however he was back in the line when the attack followed and the kick came through. He made a poor read and shot out of the line making the kick an easy option for Smith.

Of all the young players I think Forsyth is the one struggling the most. He seems to make the wrong decisions quite often. It's a difficult one as the only way that is going to change is with game time, which he is less likely to get with us once we get players back.

And just a few weeks ago I seem to remembers a thread about how specialist centres have had their day. We got done by a top class centre and the loss of Gildart and Gelling had hurt us more than anything else.

I'm not sure he really knew where he was though after the knock to the head.

I wish the ref had saved Forsyth the trouble of getting up by spotting that the pass to Taia was about two foot forward.

Yes, I noticed when I watched a recording of the game today.

I disagree. It was a poor read for me. He got back in the structure. Was in the right position which was credit to him after the knock but he came up with a bad read.

He needs time in the lower leagues for me.

I am starting to get sick of being the plucky loser. Now I want to get a few more bodies back and smash someone. Who is next in line for the centres of Forsyth does not make it? Is Higginson still out on loan/injured?

Higginson was injured playing for Workington on loan and has had an operation on his hip. 4 - 6 weeks from a return I think.

I'd stick Joel (if he's fit) or Gregson there.

Both too slow to play centre.
I wonder if Wane may be tempted to give James Worthington a game?

We are 15 games into a 30 game season! We are playing reasonably well for the number of players we've had missing and we've got some top class talent due back.

If we get motoring in a couple of months time, we can easily go unbeaten through the Super 8s, and those are all 4-pointers given the tightness of the table. I'm not too concerned at this stage, but a win on Monday would be a big help

No more kids please. If anything, it's unfair to them IMO. Isa or Joel to centre, Navarette or Bretherton added to the pack.

I've heard good things about him. It may have been yourself who described him as being like a young Gary Connolly.

He's very young though but then some of the best have debuted at 18 and under.

Agreed, but debuting in and amongst so many other youngsters.......

Quick, strong and aggressive with good feet.