Does anyone think we should give some of the fringe players like Gelling and Mellor a go in the next couple of games? And get Prescott in there somewhere too (possibly Fielden and Roberts, although I don't know where they stand on the injury front.)

It cost us last year massively not rotating the squad early on in the season, and I think the next two games would be perfect to give Mellor and Gelling some vital Super League experience.

I'd play Mellor off the bench and put Gelling in the centre partnered with Richards. Let Hughes have his say in the back row because that's where he will be fighting for places once Carmont is back.

Listening to Wane's interview last night on the radio I'm not overly optomisic at the chances of this happening.

I'd like to see him rest the likes of Sam, Pat, Finch, Lulu, Goulding, Hock and Micky against Widnes because with the pitch being what it is and one or two of them carrying knocks, risking them would be worthless.

Therefore, the likes of Gelling and Mellor would come in. Don't hold your breath though

I think it's too early in the season for that - as well as we have been playing, there are still signs that we're not always "clicking" as a team, for parts of the game. Better keeping a more-or-less settled team at present, I feel.

They only play once a week. I could understand rotation if there were midweek fixtures, but I would put my strongest 13 out until Easter Monday, then maybe rest a few for the Wakey game.

Perhaps it is a tad early to begin resting those that are injury free, although I'd be tempted rest Mossop this week and let Prescott have a run out, but that's just me.

It's those carrying injury's that should without hesitation receive a rest. The likes of Leuluai, Hock, Tuson and Goulding should all be sat on the sidelines this week unless 100% fit, and the same goes for anyone else currently nursing an injury. It's simply not worth taking the risk so early on in the season when we have more than adequate replacements waiting in the wings.

I work at least 5 days a week, they work 1, i work for at least 8 hours when i do, they work for 1.5 hours.
Nobody rotates me, and they get paid a bit more than me. They should be expected to work every week.

In my opinion the team selected should always be the strongest one available and selection should be based on form and fitness.

We don`t need football-type rotation - the team will automatically rotate itself based on form, fitness and any bans that we may pick up.

Does training not count as work, no?

They have to be at a physical peak, you just have to be able to play solitaire on your PC...

Rotation plays an important part in your season if you seriously want to challenge for both trophies IMO. If you've got the squad and are in a position where you can rotate then I would take full advantage of it. Players carrying niggling injuries should be given time where possible to freshen up and let those injuries heal so that way there's less chance of a serious long-term injury & they'll be fresher as the season progresses.

Plus another advantage of it is getting the chance to take a look at your whole squad. Under Madge last season we never gave some of the young lads a chance as much as we did in his first season in charge. Perhaps some short-term thinking from Maguire. Wane has said he is thinking long-term & has said to the players he WILL rotate the squad during the season (according to Sam Tomkins in the MEN). This week is the first real opportunity to do just that.

Next year we're losing Leuluai and as of yet we've not signed Finch to a contract - we need to take a look at Joe Mellor at some point. Next week I'd consider giving him a bench spot. Same for Anthony Gelling. Chris Tuson apparently picked up a knock, I'd tell Hughes he keeps his place, but not in the centres. Hughes in for Tuson and Anthony Gelling starts. Both Gelling and Mellor got good write ups after their performances in the U20's - I'd give both a go.

The final one is possibly giving Paul Prescott a go. He got a good write up for his performance for South Wales Scorpions. If Hock isn't right, I'd considering moving Flower to the back row, starting Farrell and bringing in Prescott. If Hock is fine, then I'd possibly consider rotating one of the props.

Tommy L was strapped up yesterday and was limping when he came off. If he's not 100% then we should look at either moving Sam up to the halves and bringing Russell in at #1 or giving Sam Powell (or Joe Mellor) a game in the halves.
If Hock is injured give Hughes a game in the second row and bring Gelling in at centre.

For Widnes I'd like;

Tommy rested
Goulding rested
A forward rested (if Eric doesn't get suspended and make the decision)

Russell to fb
Sam to half
Gelling in
Preccy in

Again, why move our best attacking threat in sam from full back to stand off? If tommy is going to get rested it has to be mellor who comes in for him.

I would like to see us run with something like this for widnes

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Josh Charnley
3. Darrell Goulding
4. Jack Hughes
5. Pat Richards
6. Brett Finch
7. Tommy Leuluai
8. Jeff Lima
9. Mike McIllorum
10. Lee Mossop
11. Harrison Hansen
12. Gareth Hock
13. Sean O'Loughlin

14. Paul Prescott
15. Ben Flower
16. Chris Tuson
17. Joe Mellor

Bring Prescott and Mellor in for Lauaki and Farrell. Not really been impressed with faz so far.

I think against Widnes Mellor should start, possibly with Leuluai on the bench just in case he's needed. Prescott should come in for one of the forwards but other than that there shouldn't be wholesale changes.

Mellor should be eager to do well against the club he was at last season so it's a decent game to put him in for.

Let Hughes have his say in the back row because that's where he will be fighting for places once Carmont is back.'"

He is solid but he is not as good as Carmont, if Tomkins got injured and Russell came in and did a good job would you keep Russell in ahead of Tomkins when he became fit again?

FWIW I think Hughes is worth a bench spot over Tuson when Carmont returns but there's no way Carmont should be kept out of the team if he is fit.

If we play our full team against Widnes it will be an absolute bloodbath. We may as well rest a few players who have knocks etc as we wont get a better chance than this. Anybody with a knock that could become a problem should be rested. At least 2 or 3 players on the verge of first team should get a chance imo.

Shaun Wane was asked at the press conf about the injuries to Hock and Leulaui.
He said if they were needed they'd be ready to go.
With TL he added the rider "if I pick him".

Just got the impression that he may not pick either and rest them.
Mellor and Prescott to come in. Mellor to start, Prescott off the bench.

I'd be tempted to go with this.

Sam Tomkins
Josh Charnley
Daz Goulding
Anthony Gelling
Pat Richards
Brett Finch
Joe Mellor
Jeff Lima
Mike McIlorum
Eric Lauaki
Harrison Hansen
Liam Farrell
Sean O'loughlin
-----------------------------
Paul Prescott
Ben Flower
Lee Mossop
Jack Hughes

I'd rest Tuson, Hock and Leuluai. Not worth risking if they've picked up a knock. Simple as that. Mossop dropped to the bench, Lima to start with Lauaki.

They work exceptionally hard at training and Wane is very strict. They have to perform to their limits even when training. I applaud the regime at Wigan. Noble is a distant memory.

I think it would be madness not to rotate some of the team against Widnes and to me it is the perfect time to rest players with Easter coming up 4 weeks later. It is a game where we could rest 6 players and still win comfortably imo. Players like Leuluai and Goulding are carrying injuries and a week off will do them good.