I am not buying into this thug mentality from Wigan.

We should push the rules as much as they do until we start getting penalised. And we should also aim to pressure their pivots just as much as they do to us.

If we get bullied out of a game of rugby league we deserve to lose.

It was probably the biggest gaff TS made, but we touched on this earlier in the week.
The blow came dropping Hodgson who was in truth a pivot hb. That along with the bench of forwards a one at loose really left us with a team of brawn and the brains of a piece of cheese.
Having a bench of forwards is ok if we have the margins full of brains starting the game.
I doubt that will be the case, we've lost Currie and Sandow is doubtful. I'd be tempted to play Patton.

Of course, we could always give Clark a breather by moving Gidley to hooker to let Sandow come on. I too think Sandow is included as a head scratcher for Wane though.

Smith has a history of naming a player in the 19, who's been out with a long term injury, but not making the 17, when teams are announced, an hour before kick-ff

Only thing I'm thinking is will he bring Sandow in for Patton,harsh if he does and would make me think of what Saints done to Briers all them years ago.

Think Dwyer and philbin will miss out.

Go with the numbers 1 - 13. With the exception of Currie & Westwood
Ratchford
Lineham
Evans
Atkins
Russell
Gidley
Sandow
Hill
Clark
Sims
Wilde
Hughes
Westerman

Dwyer
Bailey
King
King

If Dwyer is fit and healthy he should undoutedly be in the 17.

Builth has it I reckon.

Longbarn seems to have his finger on the pulse ...

He hasn't posted anything?

Funny you lot, forgetting Quasimodo's assault on Blake Green in the same game..

Sarginson
Charnley
Gelling
Gildart
Tierney
Williams
Smith
Crosby
Powell
Nuuausala
Bateman
Farrell
Isa

Flower
Tautai
Sutton
Shorrocks

You've got the bettter team on paper and play better but we've got the spirit and determination better than anyone else, which makes this such an interesting game, hope you guys have a good day and hopefully a good game

Two words..... Blake Green

Yes he has I'll quote it below

Quite a conundrum, of the nicest kind.

In Toby King and Dec Patton we have two young players who have grown in stature and confidence in recent weeks, and have done everything possible to earn a starting place. Toby King, in particular, would be very unlucky to miss out.

I'm a huge Dwyer fan, and he gives us big impetus from the bench when he's on form, but his head may not be right. Alternatively, being dropped may have given him the kick up the backside required, and he could turn in the kind of MOM performance he is capable of.

The Sandow of the first half of the season would be in like a shot, even at 80% fitness. However, the Sandow of late has been a different beast and the potential for scoring a big own goal by starting with him is considerable.

So, if George King and Bailey have two bench spots tied up, it would appear we have Sandow, Dwyer, T.King and Patton competing for three places - scrum-half and two bench spots. On the other hand ........

Ratchford
Lineham
Evans
Atkins
Russell
Gidley
Patton
Hill
Clark
Sims
Hughes
Westerman
T.King

Bailey
G.King
Dwyer
Sandow

From the Squad Announcement, Longbarn said
Same as last week starting. Both Kings, Bails and Sandow

I think this is what we'll go with. I've heard Patton's been told he is starting, with Sandow on the bench. I'm happy with that. Nailed on this time

I'd be happy with that lineup, Toby King adds impetus off the bench though.

I think exchanging Bailey for Philbin on the bench certainly strengthens the side. After that its a bit more difficult to choose but the coaches will know how fit Sandow is, so it's best left to them. In any case, I think the choices become marginal and the game will be influenced just as much if not more by 1) injuries during the game, 2) 'bounce of the ball' and 3) who has the most determination and confidence to win.

Sky Sports News had Bailey, Dwyer and Sandow on the bench at 05:00 this morning, I had heard on Weds that Dec was in at 7!

Well if that's true we're a little short. That's only 3.

Still drunk from the night before?

If we win I fully expect to be on a bench at 5am as I can't see me being in any state to find the station let alone catch a train...

Can't see the team having been officially announced yet?