Following the win on Saturday and having a look at our squad taking shape. What would be your ideal starting 17?

I'd go...

Mcnally
Clay
Maden
Gardner
Pownall

Ridy
Brierly

bibey
Duffy
parker
Goulden
litler
Taylor

hoppy
Beswick
Briscoe
Gallagher

Like to play Beswick for the full 80 but I dont know who i'd exclude from the starting 13 after only seeing him for 30 mins.

I think Nicco needs to be in the 17 as his distribution is excellent and Gallagher is a way off being fit enough at the mo so Ostick may put his hand up .

That said I think we will have a couple of DCs who will merit a starting place as well so it is looking quite positive at the moment... until the injuries kick in!!!

Beswick's distribution from dummy half was spot on, and we need to find a spot somewhere for Duffy so Nico would be missing out at the minute for me, although I'm sure injuries will dictate he gets his chance sooner rather than later.

Gallagher has only been in training for a week or two after having an operation so the games will do him good.

Have a look at the first 30 mins with Beswick distribution to Duffy which allowed him and Ridy to make space Beswick Duffs and Ridy for the pivot roles with Brierley and Nico coming on as an impact players, dont forget we have 21 players to keep fit and happy so I expect quite a lot of changes this season as we have no reserves.

Where's Deano?

I thought Dean McGilvaray looked more like himself, scooting and looking for work and taking some of the stress off the forwards. Tommy Gallagher needs to sort his fitness out.

Well agree about Deano Jonny but I was impressed with Gallagher as I was with every one of them.

Oh for everyone else are our backs better or worse than last season ? I know it's only one game/early doors and all that but it is hard to be critical of any player after what we saw on Saturday.

Last year we went backwards after Govins brainfart, he speeded up the game and put the opposition on the back foot.
Watching the try's on you tube you can see the playmakers we have in adundance, reading the game and moving play around.
This year we are far more expansive, with far more options at 1, 6, 7 ,9 and 13.
The key will be can we replace Hill, Nash and Mills upfront.
Bibey and Parker remaining injury free is a must.

I reckon they've got the potential to be much better,although i'd be brave and put duffy back at hooker and bring Brierly in.

Don't fix what aint broken, let Littler, Taylor, Gerrard ect... fight for their places, then we should see the team playing its best rugby

i think littler and taylor are shoe ins when the season starts.

Mcnally
Mc Gilvary, Pownall
Littler, Gardner

Ridyard, Brierley

Bibey, Beswick, Parker
Goulden, Hopkins
Taylor


Duffy, Briscoe, Gallagher, Nicholson

Would be my 17 at present. Its up to Clay to force himself in and then I expect a DC prop or two coming in.

He's missed a lot of pre-season because of having an operation so it's natural that he's further behind the rest of the squad at the minute.

In an interview, Rowls said that nobody questions Tommy's ability, but that his fitness has always been an issue. That is the challenge they have set him - much like the one they set Mick Nanyn last season.

I'm hoping we use DCs if and when we need them,situations like injuries and we have no cover for the said position, or if the coaching staff think a couple of players need a break to regenerate.other than that i don't want them.having said that i hope there is at least two more players to come yet.

I'm of the same thinking as you John. Would hate a player who had been having a blinder week after week to be replaced by a DC that may just come to make up the numbers.

So is this the best team for 20 years now then Frank

Without doubt, and in the back row if possible, but I like the thought of Beswick at 13 so I don't know how it will pan out.
Wouldn't be surprised to see Littler in the centres, but he would be wasted out there at this level

I believe a couple of dual reg players are youngsters from Wigan.

Apparently very good ones too.

One, a big aggressive Prop !

Is it Timmy Street reborn by any chance?

Well I think Basil is one hell of a coach. I also think our current stand in coaching team realise that too and have taken on board a lot of his methods. They are RL borne and bred they are not daft. They might save our club big money from our perspective.

We have some talented players but currently lack strength in depth. Injury free we will do well imo.

We will be up there and this season I am sure we will still be in the mix after our first play off game.

In exactly the same way everybody needed to calm down when other clubs were signing players ( some of ours ) and we hadnt signed any, now is the time to not set the expectation level too high for both the payers and coaching staff

Yes we were very good on saturday against a poor team, but our squad is small and any small injury crisis will see it tested,

Lets just wait, enjoy the rugby and see where it takes us

Its a fine balance being happy about the performance and wanting to continue the success without getting carried away in the moment, suppose thats what makes sport so fantastic, especially being the underdog!

The ambition of being up the top end of the table is realistic, and getting that home record back in tact must be a priority.....

Well done to Tommy G for getting the gamestar in League Express which was a shock as no-one seems to have mentioned his performance on here, I assume we just take his efforts for granted.