I dont think Phelps offers anything Ainscough couldnt. Ainscough could offer more in some areas.

What does Bailey offer that Mossop wouldnt? Mossop is miles better in attack and he is solid in defence.

Going even Further, what does Coley offer that Prescott or O'Carroll wouldnt.

What does Mathers offer tha Veivers couldnt?

That list may continue further if we carry on playing as we are.

Exactly - What does this team do for us:

Mathers
Roberts
Phelps
Carmont
Richards
Smith
Leuluai
Fielden
Riddell
Coley
Bailey
Hock
O'Loughlin

Feka
Tomkins (J)
Prescott
McIlorum

That this one couldnt:

Richards
Roberts
Goulding
Carmont
Ainscough
Tomkins (S)
Smith
Fielden
Leuluai
Prescott
Hansen
Tomkins (J)
O'Loughlin

Feka
Hock
McIlorum
O'Carroll

IMO the 2nd team is better and yet we still see players like Bailey, Coley, Phelps and Mathers playing dire every week and we have players like Tomkins, McIlorum, Ainscough, O'Carroll, Mossop, Farrell running riot in the academys every week not being tested, we've got the players there so why dont we use them?

1.Roberts
2.Ainscough
3.Bailey
4.Carmont
5.Richards
6.S.Tomkins
7.Smith
8.Fielden
9.Leuluai
10. Prescott
11. Hock
12. O Loughlin
13. J.Tomkins

Hansen
Feka
Goulding
Riddell

because noble is loosing his grip on reality, he has just been on the superleague show claiming we should have a salary cap waver to target one ru player per club, he reckons there arnt enough uk players!

What would you do if Phelps, Roberts and Richards are all injured? I wouldn't want to throw him in there but if we are put in that situation then we'd probably have to. Either that or play a few players out of position.

from the guy who's just brought in roberts and riddell

If we have to put a fourth choice fullback in, then I'd play Sam Tomkins there.

If Phil Bailey isn't fit I would like to see Lee Mossop get his chance.

An interesting point there. I remember an interview on the Wigan site last year regarding Tomkins (cant remember if it was with Noble or Lenegan) and they were asked what position he would play in and they said his true position in the 1st team hadnt been decided and that he could make a great Stand Off or Scrum Half, but could also be potentially a Hooker, Loose, Centre or Fullback.

anywhere he can't play?

Wing, Prop, Second Row

Swop 12 & 13 around and I'd go for that.

theres gonna be so much pressure on sam when he does get his chance....i feel sorry for him.

Theres no pressure on him at all. He needs gametime and matches to develop as a player.

I've said exactly that on another post, lets hope fans dont expect the new Brett Kenny immediately !!!!!!!

I think everyone just wants Sam to get game time and develop as his talent is there

If/When he finally gets his chance he just needs to stick to his strengths and do the basics right

Every player that runs out of the tunnel in the c & w jersey is under pressure, there is a high level of expectancy here, some big name players have not handled it well, playing for Wigan does mean something.

I'd go with this. Maybe Lockers to 2nd row and Tomkins at LF, why not try it Tomkins played a more attacking style of LF last when lockers wasn't fit. Maybe start with McIlorum and have Sam on bench and Tommy starting 7.

There would be too much change there. Tommy would bring could impact of the bench and the longer Smith and Sam are on the pitch together the more they can improve there partnership.

In theory if he only sticks to :

Not knocking on.
Makes some yards forward.
Good Defence when needed.
Has a good relationship with his half back partner.

(i.e. The Basics)...!!

Then he's an improvement on what we've had in the last two games.

Only Phelps has been ruled 100% out and with Bailey and Riddell managing to come back on i'd expect them to be fit but one would have to miss out for me anyway.

I'd go-

Roberts
Ainscough
Goulding
Carmont
Richards
Leuluai
Smith
Fielden
Riddell
Prescott
Hansen
J Tomkins
O'Loughlin

subs
Paleaaesina
O'Carroll
Hock
McIlorum(i'd love to find a place for Sam Tomkins but McIlorum has to keep his place after Friday).

I would like to see Pryce go out on loan for a few months to get his match fitness because i fear if he came into our side at the moment he would be a liability and would lose a lot of confidence of which there doesn't seem to be much of anyway

I suppose Noble will look at the Cas game in one of two ways:

a) either a good game to blood Tomkins in from the start
or
b) a game that needs Lulu and Smith to start as 6 and 7 and build some sort of partnership

but, if Riddell is injured he'll probably go with plan 'b' from the start with, McIlorum @ 9.

Tomkins will probably be on the bench, coming on when McIlorum needs a break and slotting into 7 with Lulu going to 9.

TBH i'm not a fan of bringing on halfbacks from the bench. It just seems to upset the flow of the team...