Wigan arent powerfull enough in the forwards to penetrate through the middle.Use the umbrella defence to force them to go up the middle and stop them getting the ball out wide.

I don't think we should underestimate the Wigan pack. Yes it is young, but it is also very hungry and aggressive.

They'll run through walls in a derby and it will be very tough. Hopefully our pack won't repeat the Round 1 complacency.

Spot on

Wello's days as a fullback should be over, he is simply too slow to be effective.

Indeed. Wigan's effectiveness in the forwards has tended to be based on enthusiasm and line speed rather than size anyway (one of the reasons, I think, that they don't seem to be able to maintain the same level towards the end of the season), and that will be no different on Friday. We'll have to be very fired up to win this one.

Agreed, I think we're in for a very hard day on Friday, that young Wigan pack decimated widnes

Yup, and they're mostly young wigan lads who will take great pride in taking on their derby rivals.

As has been stated here , Wello and his lack of ability to get to and return a ball at speed + a good Wigan kicking game (which with Smith is likely) + an enthusiastic and fired up Wigan defence (another hallmark of the current Wigan side) will mean a very long day at the office for us, most of it spent camped on our own line either getting smashed or desperately trying to keep them out. If this is the case Ratkins will have a free run, especially as we tire later in each half.

You may say that, but Wigan are going to be stacked with youngsters with little experience.

Lomax has to play #1, I'd perhaps understand putting speakman on the bench and starting Flash at hooker to absorb the early barrage and avoid them targeting him from the outset, but he should be on at 20 mins. Ashe is simply not an option for me at hooker.
For #6, assuming Gaskell is not being considered, I'd hope for Swift to finally be available and take Charnock if not.

When is Walker going to be fit again? Its a shame he got injured given his high tackle count in his opening games.

Any news on Puletua's injury?

Quote ="One eyed monster"I hope the RFL look at the tackle then ended his game tonight, if you can get banned for throwing a punch or catching someone high then surely this tackle 'technique' should cost you a ban ? Tony held by 3 players, not moving forward (accepting the tackle) when in comes a shi*house as 4th man and cleans Tony's knees out. No need for it and a clear attempt to injure a player IMO'" No charge. Tackle was around the thigh. therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4251

Quote ="One eyed monster"I hope the RFL look at the tackle then ended his game tonight, if you can get banned for throwing a punch or catching someone high then surely this tackle 'technique' should cost you a ban ? Tony held by 3 players, not moving forward (accepting the tackle) when in comes a shi*house as 4th man and cleans Tony's knees out. No need for it and a clear attempt to injure a player IMO'" No charge. Tackle was around the thigh. therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4251

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"No charge. Tackle was around the thigh. therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4251'" Well that just proves what a load of old balls the disciplinary system is then.

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"No charge. Tackle was around the thigh. therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4251'" Well that just proves what a load of old balls the disciplinary system is then.

Exactly - whether it's on the thigh or side of the knee, the result is the same in that situation (lateral impact pressure on the knee, causing ligament damage). I remember when Ratboy was starting out and put one in on a stationary & held-up Cunningham. KC was out for about 6 weeks.

It's a coward's trick and worse/more dangerous, IMO, than the shoulder charge

Wrong.
Cunningham played in the next game v Huddersfield. (2009)

Well perhaps 6 weeks was a slight exaggeration... He played against Hudds with the knee ligament injury, which was well strapped up, but went off early. Roby played the next game after that.

That doesn't detract from the point about the danger & cowardice of such a tackle

Slight?
He missed ONE game.

He was still struggling in the tackle, the referee could have shouted held but didn't. Had Cunningham passed the ball and Saints scored do you think the Wigan coach (Noble) would have been pleased?

No problem with Ratboy trying to complete the tackle but, if you've played the game, you'll know there are many ways to injure a player easily if you were minded to. By attacking a prone knee side on with the shoulder when the attacker is held up in a tackle, it's very likely ligament damage will result. Which it did.

How would tackling him side on to his knee have stopped the pass?

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"No charge. Tackle was around the thigh. therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4251'" So apparently anywhere on the body apart from the knee is OK? Bizarre RFL.

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"No charge. Tackle was around the thigh. therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/disciplinary/item?4251'" So apparently anywhere on the body apart from the knee is OK? Bizarre RFL.

It was a terrible tackle and he should have been banned regardless of what injury (if any) was casued. I can only imagine the uproar from your lot if Cunningham had done it to Tomkins instead of the other way around.

The uproar comes when anyone touches the little $h1te.....

Ratkins is just a nasty cheap shot merchant, it clouds the fact he has a massive amount of talent. Shame really.

yeah that one time he did a dodgy tackle that only saints fans have dragged up since a similar incident put them in a position to lose to wigan has really ruined his reputation. lol.

Has any one looked at sky sports what brown has had to say

Because that was the only time he's ever used nasty or cheating tactics wasnt it , clown. Has your tiny brain forgotten his locking arm tactics to cheat penalties ? ....

Not really bizarre. It's an issue with the knee joint, which doesn't have muscle to protect it (like the thigh does) and which doesn't have any give in it when hit from the side. I think also it has to be a hit side on to the knee when the leg is straight for a penalty to be given as that is when the knee is most vulnerable as it is at its least flexible. The thigh, however, has loads of muscle around it to protect the bone from impact.