Gelling, Bateman out, Faz & Isa back in. Gutted not to have these two for this game and I think we are much weaker without them. Can see Tierney starting at FB and Sarge going to centre. wwrl.co/C3sAgK

Gelling, Bateman out, Faz & Isa back in. Gutted not to have these two for this game and I think we are much weaker without them. Can see Tierney starting at FB and Sarge going to centre. wwrl.co/C3sAgK

Flower out as well. Good to see Farrell back though.

We'd p*ss this league if we can get the likes of Tomkins and Williams back in the next few week as well as Gelling and Bateman.

He will start Tierney at fullback and Sarginson centre I reckon but if he does I'm doubtful we'll muster anywhere near enough points to get the win. The team is chalk and cheese with Sarginson at fullback compared to Tierney from an attacking point of view.

Have we got enough injuries to call it a Leeds/Saints style injury crisis yet? And will sky mention that we're missing Sam Tomkins, Williams, Gelling, Bateman, McIlorum and Crosby or will it be glossed over as usual?!

Anyways from what we've got I'd go-

Sarginson
Manfredi Tomkins Gildart Charnley
Lockers Smith
Sutton Powell Clubb
Isa Farrell Burke

Subs-Tautai Mossop Gregson Tierney

It's a real shame that what should have been a great game could be let down a little by one side being massively under strength.

You omitted to mention Ben Flower as well!
Personally I wouldn't have Tierney in the 17 as his defence is also very weak under the high ball. I hope this is the game where Burke steps up and shows the early promise of his first season.
Exceptionally difficult for us with that squad but although I criticise our style one thing I wouldn't is our effort and determination. I am sure SW will have them fired up for this one even after 2 games in 4 days and a very quick turnaround.

Higginson has had a couple of spells at #1 on the reserves and U19's this season, so Wane may interchange him and Sarginson at times during the game or play Higgy off the bench. Seven genuine first teamers is a big miss though.

I nearly mentioned Higginson instead of Tierney.
Rouges do you think this may happen too then? Do you think he is ready?

I don't think he's ready yet, but needs must. With Sarge and Charnley leaving it maybe also worth a look to see exactly where he is up to in his development. Risky? probably, we'll see, but probably no more than Tierney at fullback.
He is a more physical player than Tierney though.

Are you stuck in a time-warp? That was the criticism of Tierney before he'd actually played this season. But since he's played a few games in the first team people realise that his defence is actually very solid. He catches the high ball as well as anyone. Not quite Steve Hampson but better than Sam Tomkins.

Did you watch the game 2 days ago? He's definitely still dodgy under the high ball and nowhere near as good as Tomkins. Tomkins' 'dodginess' under the high ball was never as bad as it was made out by some.

That's not a bad shout at all to be honest id be pretty confident of turning them over with that team taking into account our home advantage. I forgot Joel was a great centre once upon a time ago and judging by his try against stains he still has the pace and power to be effective in that role. It's a consistent team we need rather than taking risks against Wire as they would just kick Tierney to death as Sandow has shown already in this comp his last plays are dangerous, then throw another old head into the mix in Gidley and you've go ta recipe for disaster.

Listen I know what I see. His drop the other night was technically dreadful.
I'm actually thinking of the lad. He seemed to turn his body away as he went up for the catch. Sandow could finish the lads confidence of forever given the chance.
Did I mention tackling? No don't think I did.
You seem too quick to pick up on anyone who dares to even have a modicum of an opinion that differs to your own.
I want all of our players to succeed. I just don't think fullback is the position for Tierney.
Sorry should I ask your opinion first before I state my own?

Cheers Rogues.
I must admit the few occasions I've seen him on Wigan tv he has looked a very decent prospect.
One thing about SW is that he has confidence in the youngs guys which generally been reciprocated by young debutants.
Friday's team will be one of the youngest teams we have ever played and I'm sure the crowd will get behind them.

Jack also happens to be 20 years old today, nice birthday present if he gets to play on Friday.

Indeed!
SW has a difficult choice on Friday I hope he makes the right one.

Higginson is ahead of Marshall in the pecking order, then? I guess part of the problem is, we wonder whether they're 'ready' but how much do they gain from a few more games in the U-19s against the same opposition? Maybe, as with Gildart, you just have to bung them in, and see if they sink or swim.

Really disappointed Gells isn't playing; he's been very good in the last few games.

Quite, we haven't got any injuries at all??

BTW I think that it will still be a great game and unfortunately for me, home advantage might just see you 'home' in a repeat of our trip to Hull FC

Whatever injuries you do have in sure it doesn't account for 7 of your first 17 does it? In fact I'm 100% confident it's nowhere near that. If your 19 are all fit you've got Dodds and Dwyer missing who'd get in your 17 (I've possibly missed somebody) Dwyer is covered by the best hooker in superleague on his day and you have good depth at prop.

We're missing our 1,3,6,8 and 9 plus Bateman and Crosby. By my reckoning that would be something like Russell, Atkins, Gidley, Hill, Dwyer, Currie and Dodds for you. How do you reckon you'd get on minus that lot?

It's an internet forum mate, what do you expect? If I have been abusive or libellous to you then report me to the mods, otherwise suck it up. I get plenty of stick on here, especially over my support of Shaun Wane, and recently Matty Smith. I live with it.

You're wrong about Tierney. So he dropped one the other night. It's just about the first one he has dropped all season. His catching is a lot better than Sarges, so to say that you are worried about him under the high ball is about as sensible as saying you're worried about Lockers because he missed a tackle the other night. All players make mistakes but bagging them for one mistake, especially a younger player is wrong. And I'll continue to point that out if I see it.

No need to ask me before you post, just don't expect a free ride when you are criticising players. Or are you above a bit of criticism yourself?

If you think Tierney is good under a high ball you are deluded and in dire need of an eye test. I don't mind anyone having a different opinion on anything it makes the world go around.
What are the attributes that Tierney has that you think make him a good fullback? Im here to be persuaded and genuinely interested in your views. Personally I see very little. You say he has only dropped one al season which may be true but would surprise me if true.
Don't think I particularly criticised the lad but saying I don't think he is a fullback but in your perfect world it is probably tantamount to crucifying him.
By the way I couldn't give a fishes tit if you have had stick over SW or MS and don't see what that has got to do with the price of coal.

This is the first game i have not felt comfortable about... I expect those pesky Wires to raise their game and squeak a win...

Gutted to miss it. Bath are playing Saracens at the same time, so no chance of getting it on the TV down the nearby pub.

Russell was injured and may not play, although the rumour is that he will, but Westerman won't. As you said Dwyer is out as is Dodds so that's possibly a straight 3 possibly 4 from your 7. Add to that long term injuries to B Evans, Laithwaite, Harrison and Grix (whatever his current status is?) all regular starters recently and of course Wheeler



I know that this still won't add up in your mind to an even loss of personnel.

We can't play a team of forwards where we are suffering most, but, it's all about squad depth. We are lucky last year that our young lads like Philbin and Wilde stepped up and Cox has been a revelation at interchange Prop meaning that we might not appear as badly affected as we could have been based on 1-17

Looking at the squads, Wire should win the game (although the game is not played on paper!). I do have a feeling Wane will have them pumped up for this and it will be a close game with possibly a Wigan win. I can't believe Wire are still +2 with some of the bookies.

Just got back from 'Specsavers'



LT looked very shaky in the U19s under the high ball and I was surprised when SW publicly backed him before the season started. He has clearly worked hard because he has surprised a lot of us with his displays so far this season. His positioning is sound as is his tackling. He has good pace but doesn't yet offer much in the attacking line. And his catching has improved no end. All in all he's done pretty well so far and justified the coaches faith in him.

I suppose if I'm deluded then Shaun Wane must be too? I'll take his judgement over yours any day.

Not convinced I'm afraid so let's agree to disagree.
Jesus of Nazareth made mistakes in his short 33 years so I am quite sure that SW has and will make them along the line.
Then again don't we all