It has been said today more than once that they think a certain team (in their opinion ) would be best for the match against the Wolfs, but in each case it has been qualified by statements such as "we know it isn't going to happen" or " fat chance or no chance".

But we all know it isn't such a generalisation as that, what we are talking about is a coach who his going out of his way by trying to supress a young player from playing in his natural position so that he can justify his stance that he is always right.

But it is about time that the "fence sitters" came out with their opinion, because I feel that the "club men" on here will always take the company line.

Season's over I'm afraid if MM is out for the season. He's that important to us.

Bowen
Burgess
Gelling
Bateman
Manfredi
Williams
Smith
Mossop
O'Loughlin
Crosby
Farrell
Tomkins
Flower

Powell
Tautai
Sutton
Patrick

That's how I think Wane will go although I would like to see Hampshire get a spot somewhere.

I believe that Burgess is several weeks away from a return.
Like your idea but not a cat in hell's chance that SW will play Hampshire or drop Patrick.

The question I have if wane did play Hampshire and Williams is who would take Smiths kicking duties. Williams has a great short game, I've not seen Hampshire kick in play ? Is it part of his game?

Wane has shown he will change his opinion in the past. Williams at 6, 9, and back to 6 for example, so not sure that's a reason he doesn't pick Hampshire.

McIlorum cleared of serious injury, may get a rest this week though.

Burgess back in contention this week.

Sarginson season over

m.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-war ... -1-7415073

m.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-war ... -1-7415073

What is the obsession with Hampshire? Putting him in the halves with Williams in place of Smith would be crazy, who would organise out of those two?

Well seeing they've played together for years at junior level I reckon they could sort something out between them.

If Mickey Mac doesn't play then I would expect Powell to play #9 with Hampshire to be on the bench. Then during the game Hampshire to #6 and Williams to #9.

Slightly different youth level to super league, don't you reckon?

i like the sound of that sunbeam. But anyone suggesting to replace Smith in the halves with Hampshire are mental. He's really underrated amongst our own fans while Hampshire is the opposite.

Twitter rumours that Gildart playing Friday!!

Matty Smith is underrated?

HAHAHAHAHA

He is literally anonymous for the majority of every game he plays.

Gelling looked crocked Friday so it'd make sense. I said then that I wouldn't have an issue with it especially if King is playing for them and we can't put him up against him.

On Warrington tickets: I see that the Warriors ticketing site now only lists coach travel to Warrington, not match tickets. I assume this means their allocation is sold out.

If so, I take it there'd be no issue getting in on the night? Thinking of coming up, but need to know it'll be OK before I commit myself to booking hotels etc.

Also,



Was thinking of stopping over on the Saturday night. If so, where's the best pub in Wigan to watch the Leigh and Catalans games, please?

I think the opposite, come away from most games unable to recall anything Smith did in attack, plus he's a very poor defender, one of the worst goal kickers in the league, yet he's undropable at scrum half. Meanwhile Hampshire looks like he'll leave having been given maybe 1 start in the halves. I'm sure Smith must be doing more than I'm noticing but I'd definitely swap him for Walsh, Burns, Sinfield, Maguire, Brough, Dureau, Carney, Chase, Gale, Brierley to name a few. Then there's halves playing at beaten teams every week who woukd do a better job in the Wigan team as well

Matty Smith is far from being a poor defender.

Actually I had a look at this seasons stats to check up. They are really no worse than any other half back.

What was quite surprising was Micky Macs stats. Practically every other hooker has better stats. And those of Roby and Houghton are miles better. Mac misses tons of tackles too and makes nowhere near as many as those mentioned.

It strikes me that if you want to question the inclusion of any of Wane's favourites you might look elsewhere other than picking on Matty continually. Because I'm betting that you come up with the old argument that Micky Mac does stuff we don't see. Well that's fine. I'll buy that. But let's have some consistency and give Matty a break.

Micky Mac is probably the ultimate proof that stays don't tell the whole story. If they can come up with a stat for the force he puts in to his tackles, the physical damage he inflicts on the opposition, the gas he takes out of teams big forwards, the extra speed he puts in to our defensive line, the accuracy of his passing off the floor or the inspiration he provides his teammates then he could start to be judged on stats alone.

The naked eye says he's huge for us and that'll do for me.

As for Smith he's the victim of a poor set of props. I believe Hampshire had been harshly treated but Smith isn't being provided with the space he needs as a halfback to be as effective as he could be. Our issues start and end with the props IMO.

Picked my tickets up today, looked like they had plenty left, maybe too late to post them out.

I was saying the exact opposite, if you have a look on the thread regarding McIlorum's contract extension I was actually quite scathing. Would definitely swap him for Roby, Aiton or Clarke. If we had better personnel at 7 and 9 I don't think we would look so lost when Lockers is missing

Gelling was struggling in the second half. The Leeds try by Watkins came as a direct result of him not being able to get back into his defensive position.

Prior to this try Brian,What about the 2 defenders that stood stationery at dummy half whilst McGuire ran at our right had side defense?
Gelling crocked or not was clearly isolated by a bit of lazy defense on our behalf and he had 4 runners going at him,He was back on the goal line when Watkins scored so i'm blaming the lazy defense Brian

I think they say they only post them out if it's more than three days to match-day. But I would have thought they'd still be available for sale for collection from the ticket-office.

I'll give them a ring in the morning.