i'd say so

My favourite non Wire SL player, hope he at least makes the World Cup, good luck Sean.

I'd be amazed if we can win the SL title without Lockers.





Just hope he recovers in time for the World Cup.

I agree with this. I said on another thread that we need three ball playing pivots in attack and replacing O'Loughlin with Farrell or Burke or Tuson dosen't work for me. Blake Green at loose forward is a sensible and workable option.

That would be a big ask of Hampshire. It may be worth starting with 3 props (one at 13) and bringing the 3rd pivot on after about 20.

Ben Flower started out as a loose, and still plays there for Wales....

Would work for me

I'd be inclined to agree actually, do a similar job to Bailey at Leeds and Harrison at Wire. he has better handling skills than those two as well IMO. Problem is we don't have a Briers or a Brough to do the fancy stuff!

Which is why the 3rd pivot would be on the bench. imo Powell. He could cover MM at hooker and also give the option to move BG to 13 with Powell at 6.

If Lockers is out we need our pack to dominate big time. Having the extra big bloke would certainly help.

I feel we need three pivots on from the start and that would be Smith, Hampshire & Green at loose forward. Playing a primarily defensive option at 13 when O'Loughlin is out does not work for me and does not fit with our style of attack.

I reckon we should use the Leeds game to experiment.
Half a game with Flower at 13, if its not working, plan B, whatever that is



or we could do the sensible thing and play Tuson or Faz at 13

Green does nowt at 6 so I can't see him improving out of position. I'd give him a last chance on Thursday with Powell at 7, Logan at 9 and Rocky on the bench. Best 2 of those 4 get to play stand off and one bench spot in the play offs.

[i'or we could do the sensible thing and play Tuson or Faz at 13'[/i

Tuson or Farrell can not link the play up like O'Loughlin does, that's why i feel Green is a better option.

I agree Sean is class & Wigan are a far better team with him.

Did you see Flower in the internationals last year? That's what he was primarily doing. We use him as a battering ram but he does have these skills

People seem to be suggesting Green moving to LF just to accomodate Hampshire in to the team. To my knowledge Green has never played LF before and IMO it's Locker's defence in the middle that we miss more than his creativity (although that is still a big part of his game). We don't have a like-for-like replacement in terms of someone who can do the tough stuff in the middle but then still offer a top quality passing game, it's either one or the other. I'd go for Flower personally. Honestly can't see us getting anywhere near Old Trafford if Locker's season if over though.

IIRC Tuson was a hooker until he broke through, so surely his ball playing skills will be pretty good. Even though he's never really had the opportunity to show this, perhaps he could do a job filling in at loose

[iPeople seem to be suggesting Green moving to LF just to accomodate Hampshire in to the team.[/i

No not really, we are debating the options at loose forward as it seems O'Loughlin may not play again this season. My preference is to go for ball skills primarily with competent defence rather than out & out defence and little ball skills, that's why I favour Green to replace O'Loughlin.

Tuson hasn't played hooker, I think he played centre as a junior.

Yep, we utilise the 13 pivot a LOT (too much) which is partly why we miss Lockers when he doesn't play.

If he is out, then a ball playing 13 is a must.

GELLING.

I would use Flower at the back. The pack needs to be as strong as possible in the play offs.

+1

One player who would be free to join Wigan next week would be Hock once his loan spell at Widnes finishes.

Give him a deal on a short term basis on Wigan's terms.

A match fee of £1000.00 per match as long as we are in the playoffs.
A fee of £200.00 for every try he scores during a match in the playoffs
A fee of £100.00 for every try assist he gives during a match in the playoffs.

A fine of £300,00 pounds for every brain fart during a match.
A fine of £200.00 pounds for every penalty he concedes.

Wigan could finish up grand final winners and make a profit in the meantime.

Just a thought.

With those fines he would probably end up owing Wigan money