Can't help but feel we are missing the chance to blood Mellor.

I think he's already signed for Widnes next year or it's at least agreed in principle. That's what I keep hearing from a Vikings supporting friend.

Mellor simply isn't good enough.

He's not had a future at Wigan for a while now.

Let's get one of those quality young England academy HB's in. We've got a few easy games coming up.

The old line still rings true if your good enough your old enough

Don't agree. They are still not fully developed physically and throwing them in too early could really hinder their progress.

They can't be any smaller than what Sam was when he broke through or what some one like Edwards was.

I think it bring their game on having access to that level.

The game is different to what it was several years ago so it's probably wrong to compare current players to those of old. While Tomkins was very slim he was a little older than Williams and Hampshire when he made his debut and had been a regular in the under 20's before that. Currently Williams and Hampshire have only played a handful of games at under 20's level and were at under 16's level last year, so making another step up is pretty rapid progression even for the most talented of players.

Playing one of them is probably an unnecessary risk right now given that O'Loughlin can play in the halves. I would imagine the club will keep playing them in the under 20's when possible and allow them to go on the tour of Australia before considering them for first team action.

I still think if your good enough your old enough and I don't think Lockers is good enough to be our HB option.

We are now weaker at 7, 6 and 13 which is a worry.

Tomkins is a one off freak! He's still built like a pipe cleaner but has super human strength.

It's unfair to use him as an example of somebody being old enough because they're good enough. We can't forget that Sam had a couple of years ripping the 20's division apart whereas Williams and Hampshire have been rotated between 18's and 20's by the looks of it.

The time doesn't feel quite right.

I couldn't agree more.
I am a big fan of both these young halfbacks, but let's get real. They have just been picked for an Aussie U18 tour and will still be available at that level next year.

They have done well in the u20's despite being so young. Let's nuture them properly and allow them to develop, hopefully into a top class Wigan halfback pair, but I have a feeling that Williams may eventually finish up at 9 and maybe Hampshire at 1.

Jack Murphy was in the 19 man squad for the Leeds game. He must be Wane's thoughts. He's a decent goal kicker for starters.

The loss of Tommy would make anyone weaker, so we're a half back down. The difference between 6 and 7 is very little now they just control different sides of the field. Lockers can do a job in the halves but I would say its best not to disrupt he side further, even though Farrell is more than capable of dropping to 13. I agree with you though. These next two games are the perfect opportunity to blood a youngster.

Isn't Murphy a winger?

Fullback by preference I think, although he's played plenty of games on the wing.

Seems that Lockers is gonna be covering in the halves all the time until Tommy gets back, from what he says here:

[urlhttp://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-warriors/o-loughlin-set-for-no-6-role-1-4677078[/url

Is it the same Murphy that dug our Road up last week and left a right mess?

Is it the same Murphy whose law applies?

by bye silverware

Why? Lockers can and has played this position, clearly it's not his best but I think he will do a decent job. What would have been your preferred answer given the squad?

Going by some posters on here, we have been playing a hooker out of position for a while.

I would have liked to have seen Mellor brought back. He may not prove to be our long term answer but he'll do a job for 10 weeks behind that pack.

Its not like bean be a drama queen ,Lockers will do a good job for us . our next 5 games are no where near as hard as the last 5 , Madge always played lockers there as back up and he never let us down to be honest , Watch his bullet pass tonight for a josh hat trick

Lockers to 6 is the best option. Farrell @ 13 will do a very good job and Tuson/Flower/Hughes can cover for Hansen

I don't think anything has been decided long term to be honest. Wane has already said he was considering playing Williams in one of the upcoming games so I imagine any decisions will be made based on how players perform. If O'Loughlin doesn't do well enough against Widnes I imagine he'll look to change things around.

One of the youngsters should have been given a go, rather blood one against Widnes than a far stronger side, Lockers has never been any good at HB, we go from a live wire like Lulu to a monster tackler, Lockers is not a creative playmaker nor can he produce off the cuff explosive excitement like Tommy

I'm of the same view as you. Tonights game is a case of suck it and see, if it works out, fine, I would think Lockers continues in the role. After all I think it's best not to tinker too much with the actual structure of the team. We've had alot of upheaval through one thing and another over the last few weeks, let's try to keep change to a minimum, if we can. IMO.





Rock 'n' Roll.

Keeping change to a minimum would be simply bringing someone else in for Tommy, not moving Finch, Lockers and Farrell.