Interesting that this is being labelled as an "initial" squad [urlhttps://wiganrugbyfans.com/2017/04/04/19-man-squad-v-castleford-tigers-06-04-17/[/url

From that squad:

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Marshall
Gelling
Forsyth
Davies
Williams
Leuluai
Flower
Powell
FPN
Farrell
Tomkins
Isa

Clubb
Tautai
Gregson
Sutton

Agreed except I'd start Sutton rater than Nu'uasala, who needs a kick up the bum IMO. He didn't appear to run with much aggression last week, Sutton shows a lot more fire. I was not impressed at all that 'the wrecking ball' reacted to Ablett roughing him up by turning and complaining to the ref. Not exactly the work of an enforcer! Maybe Farrell at loose as well, give our best forward the freedom of the full pitch.

Glad I'm not the only one to notice that this season. Words to the effect of 'wrecking ball my ar$e'.
Needs to find some form and quickly!

If that wasn't bad enough, then he tries to line Ablett up with the intention to go over the top of him then drops the ball



I think a few of our forwards need a kick up the backside, Flower and Clubb for example have been well below par for me

The props are a problem being masked by the injuries at the minute.

Flower-really poor so far. He's running and playing with very little intensity which for a prop of his size he cannot afford to do.

Clubb-He looks knackered! He's never been a go forward prop but his defence can be brutal and we're not seeing that currently. Without it he's not adding enough to the team.

FPN-He's had some good games and some stinkers. Like Flower he just needs to run and tackle with more intensity.

Tautai-I can't fault him, he's been a handful most weeks and rumours of him leaving are worrying when you consider the form of the others.

Sutton-Was playing really well up until his injury and showed up well at Leeds I thought. He'd be a nailed on starter for me.

Navarette-I think he needs more minutes. He's doing pretty well when he's on but it's in very short spells and I think he deserves a bit longer. He's certainly not showing up any worse then the first three.

I do think the focus around the Cronulla game has impacted everyone and especially the props but we need more (from those first three lads without question).

I've been relatively satisfied with Flower. He always lands knees and elbows and we get quick PTB from him. In defence, more often than not he's able to turn the ball carrier onto his back and slow down their PTB. These are the technical details that SW talks about and Flower does it well. I do agree a bit more grunt would be good!

We have to remember how long Clubb has been out and it will take him a bit of time get get back to the standard he's capable of.

Navarette has been strong IMO and it's great to see. He carries the ball very hard for such a young, inexperienced player he's going well.

It would've been nice if they had the option of easing Clubb in gently but sadly that never seems to be a luxury we're afforded.

Long term I'm not worried. I feel like our props drift through most seasons but they ramp up when it matters.

I agree with your assessment, and I've been posting about this for a few weeks now. I would add that I thought Bretherton did well in his outing against Huddersfield and was far from the worst yet he got dropped. I'm happy with Sutton and Tautai. Clubb, Flower and FPN need to improve.

FPN seemed to start poorly but improved towards the GF last year. I had hoped that he would kick on and become a 'wrecking ball', but in fact he has gone backwards. He stops at the first point of contact and regularly gets driven back, which frankly he should be embarrassed about. His only saving grace is that his 'play-the-ball' is quicker than the others.

Agree with both you guys. Navarette has looked pretty decent I thought, and certainly TT is showing the rest of them the way.

Hopefully Wane showed the rest of the forwards Isa taking the ball up on Friday after the initial dust-up as an example of what he wants.

Correct, Willie Isa is showing just the sort of attitude, combined with ability, that we need right now.

He's really been mr. Angry in the last couple of games, but controlled. I have a friend who works for Widnes and he was devastated when Isa left. He said he was one of the most "honest" players, in terms of effort he had ever seen AND his work with the juniors and community was outstanding.

Watching the game in the pub, I remarked to a guy there, Isa is playing well, and the guy said, I don't see what he brings to the side. I think a few think the same. He may not get mentioned very often on TV commentary, but if you watch him, he does so much good work.

Yep, he just doesn't have the pace to play against a fast centre. I do wonder if we will bulk him up and turn him into a prop with the raft of second rowers we have.

I personally would give Isa a run at left centre now, even when Gelling returns. He's a safer option than Forsyth for me.

I disagree. Forsyth has really grown into the side since he switched from wing to his natural position in the centre. He was outstanding against Hull and completely nullified any threat down his side of the pitch. He did the same against Leeds and I trust him to do a job. His pace against cas will be needed because cas really throw the ball around. I'd go with Gelling and Forsyth if both are fit.

Watkins showed exactly why that can't be anything more then an absolute emergency option. He skinned him with ease for his try and that's clearly not his fault. We need him in the middle and badly IMO because he plays with an intensity some of the other forwards are currently missing.

He is playing like a man determined to prove a point after being left out of the WCC in comparison to some of the ones who did, who look like they're on a come down.