How is it a bigger game for Saints?? This is a free hit, with low expectations from Saints fans of a win.

We have our 1, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 13 missing

We then have Hurrell, Delaney and Wingfield who may not make a first choice 17 but would be first choice replacements

We aren't going to finish in the top 3, it's purely about making the top 6 so not sure why this game is more important to us. It's about us winning more games now than Leigh and Leeds before the end of the season.

NB I think Forber will start on Saturday....

I understand your point re the injuries and we're pretty lucky you've racked up those injuries as I would be very fearful this Saturday, if we were to face a near-full strength Saints. However, we saw last week when a patched up Leeds side put us to the sword. Sometimes it's the team who wants the win more, and has more in the tank. We'll also be missing our 6,7,9,11.

My view is that you need the win more than us, as you say, you won't finish top 3; we most likely are nailed on to, barring a disaster. If you lose Saturday, you could finish the weekend only 2 points ahead of seventh, with KR at home, Wire away and Leigh away to come.

Yes and with our injuries that may well be another 3 defeats however that's also saying Leigh and Leeds continue to win. We also have Cas at H and Hudds A so that could be two wins

Also certainly by Leigh we may well be back to normal (ish) barring any more injuries. Certainly Clark and Dodd will be back and that is the game earmarked for Welsby. Plus Lomax and Knowles back so suddenly we look more healthy (again if we don't pick up any more)

FWIW, irrespective of Saturday's result, you should make the 6 with room to spare. I think for both Wigan and Saints it's about getting players back fit and having energy in the tank come the playoffs.

I do feel, particularly this week, fans of other clubs and the media are starting to sleep on both Wigan and Saints. I certainly wouldn't back against a Wigan Saints final. Fit and firing, both sides can play at an intensity that others in the league can't.

Also not sure a "patched up" Leeds side is the right term. Plus they were at home, new coach syndrome etc

Not missing 9 players from a 21 man squad like we are on Saturday

This is the lamest piece of detective work ever but Wigan have posted a picture of Adam Keighran training and he's about to receive a pass outside the penalty arc (so the centre of the field). Conclusive proof he'll be playing halfback on Saturday.

Field
Miski Eckersley Wardle Marshall
Keighran Farrimond
Thompson Leeming Havard
Nsemba Farrell Ellis

Subs- Dupree Mago Walters Forber

My worry is MP seems to have a bit of a blind spot re. Saints where he wants to go set for set with them while other clubs have shown the way to beat Saints and in some cases quite easily is to ping the ball around, they're that rigid they just can't cope with it.

Very similar to what i was alluding to in my earlier post - i dont think there will be much in the packs, but we need / should be able to get at their backs with Ritson, Blake and either Davies or Whitley as the other centre

both half back pairings are makeshift (albeit Farrimond is a recognised half), so its about us getting good quality quick ball from the pack, and allowing us to get at their outside backs, and hopefully getting some success out of it

Hampshire dropped so I think that's Farrimond/Keighran in the halves https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/08/ ... 8AnNS6ZrGw

Hampshire dropped so I think that's Farrimond/Keighran in the halves https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/08/ ... 8AnNS6ZrGw

Well at least Ryan Hampshire is out of the squad - hopefully never to be seen or heard from again as a Wigan player.

Agree with you there and the grind suited us on Good Friday and is a style of play that we are happy to play. Salford have the blueprint against us and also HKR this season in going wide early against our compressed defence.

Add Matautia to the list too who hasn't made the 21 man squad

Genuinely can't see us winning this one with who we have missing which is why I stand by that this is a free hit and hopefully a decent performance with more winnable games to come.

Irrespective of who's available, Wigan will have to find some energy and intensity from somewhere if they want to win the game. At the moment it feels like St Helens are the likelier of the two sides to have more of that off the back of two wins and playing one less game over the last fortnight.

Give over. You've comfortably got the best squad in the league, something which Wigan fans love telling everyone

If you can't beat us missing (and yes I am repeating myself) our 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 13 then you aren't as good as you think you are

Oh Hurrell is 23 but has started when fit so there's another.

You know both teams are going through a rough patch when either side is arguing that the other is in a better position to win the Derby

This happens a lot in sport - people draw on the views of the most bullish and outspoken fans and use it to reflect the views of the whole fanbase. I'm not sure you know how good I think Wigan are - I actually think they look very fatigued and vulnerable at the moment but there is still time for that to turn around ahead of the playoffs. Both teams will have patched up 'spines' so it will ultimately come down to who has the most energy in the forward pack.

I think that's the team - with maybe Bryne in place of one of the props. i think Mago will possibly take on 13 role from the bench allowing ellis a breather and to return at prop.

It will be interesting to see how Farrimond performs without being in the shadow of Smith.

Its hard to predict the detail of the team, I'm wondering if we go for a fast start, quick PTB with Forber probing off the back of that and swinging the ball wide early?

It’s the quality of the players missing not the quantity which is what the thick saints fans forget

As the bookies have us down as slight favourites maybe we are not as good as we think we are.
If we can't beat you with all your many many players missing then we definitely are not as good as we think we are.
If saints win this could go down in history as the greatest win with all the other greatest wins by St Helens.

Swinging the ball wide early through 2 inexperienced halves?

Aint going to happen

Best squad maybe but its a bit imbalanced in certain areas.

Both teams have critical players missing so this is going to be decided in 3 areas in my opinion:

Forwards battle
Freshness
Team strategy and tactics

I fear for us for bullets 2 and 3 based on recent weeks.

Top of the table Academy clash tonight, Wigan v Saints at Wigan RUFC. Kick off 7pm.