Yes but it's individual players that play those games, not full teams. In addition, there is no 'easy fixture' following these games and so nothing he has experienced before will have been an equivalent to the situation he found himself with the cup game. One further point; MM has never coached State of Origin so even that experience isn't in his armoury. As I said, the experience will have been new to him and I have little doubt that it has given him food for thought.

I think I know the reason behind this statement, (does he support saints by any chance)

I think you have hit the nail on the head, MM is realising the sustainable level of fitness, in superleague, is not at the same level as in the NRL, good on him for realising this and giving the players a break, hopefully they will benefit from it.

Heard that Phelps might be dropped and Pat playing full back.

Pat full back and Ainey and Goulding on the wings? I would be happy with that.

No, Howarth is a decent player, from the 9 or 13 positions, I don't think he has the pace for a 6.

Gleeson will be playing on Sunday

can see david 'dodgy' hodgson scoring about 3 tries if bailey plays

thats what I have heard so far. will keep you posted

Phelps at 6?

Heard the same

good these sources arnt they

Straight from the horse's mouth

For me this is the key man for wigan, a lot of what Leuluai does in attack as well as defence goes unnoticed, i'm not saying unappreciated just unnoticed,. he also allows tomkins to play the way he's more effective, much more so than Deacon does imo. Get Leuluai back and you will soon be back on track.

I'd much rather see richards on the wing than at full back to be honest

Id rather go with

1.phelps 2. goulding 3. gleeson 4. carmont 5. richards 6. howarth 7. tomkins 8. fielden 9. riddell 10. coley 11. tomkins 12. farrell 13. oloughlin 14. feka 15. mcillorum 16. ocarroll 17. bailey/mossop

Hopefully we can get one of deacon or leuluai back but richards has been in clinical form on the wing so I would not like further disruption caused by moving him. Also with ainy teams realise we have a weak link in our side arially and defensively. I don't think we can really be going into a game like this with a significant weak link who teams will target. Id rather play a solid back line and a promising youngster at 6 if needed. If only Joe Mellor was fit we'd get to see the half back partnership which could be our future.

I am a little concerned by this prospective shuffling that we seem to want to do, and the coaching staff seem to want to do from time to time.

I would prefer like for like to come in where possible and let the players who can remain in their natural position. Bailey can not play in the centre, I do not like the idea of Phelps at 6 and Locky needs to play at 13. If both Tommy and Deacon are to miss out then I would not be too upset to see Howarth given a go, or Phelps at a push, but sometimes I think we need to use the full resources at the club rather than rendering the better specialist players weaker by using them in positions which are not natural to them.

Surely there is no way we are going to take pat away from the wing if we have let Ainscough go back to Widnes? It must mean goulding is back and it will be goulding and pat on the wings

We haven't "let Ainscough go back to Widnes" though.

We've dual-registered him, which basically means that he trains all week at Wigan, then each Thursday we decide whether we want him to play in Wigan's 1st team. If not, then he's free to play for Widnes that weekend.

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... Wigan.html This says he will be back playing for Widnes at the weekend.

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... Wigan.html This says he will be back playing for Widnes at the weekend.

well peeps, my informant is usually correct with team info but for once Im hoping he's wrong!! just heard that ainscough, phelps and mossop are all dropped and Pryce is back in contention for the spot on the wing

with Pat at full back. Prescott has a bad back apparently so the props would be fielden coley eamon and feka. gleeson is doubtful too.

Keen to see how Pryce goes if he plays, I would love for him to have a blinder.

TBF if Pryce is back in contention then we should all know by now that under Madge he’ll have earned his shot. We’ve all seen how tough Madge has been on the likes of Feka, Mossop, Deacon and now Phelps as well if Pryce is in the squad he’s done what Madge has asked of him simple as.

Maybe the best thing we can all do is trust the decision Madge has made and really get behind the lad? I still can’t for the life of me see the point in slating him before he’s even taken to the field or in some cases booing him when the touches the ball!

Good luck to him

Ouch. You have to wonder if the rigorous pre-season is starting to take its toll.

The Prescott injury is worrying, he had back problems last year, lets hope its not related.

Pryce will probably know its his last chance with us so surely he will be up for it? MM wont pick him unless he has earned his chance. These type of events are made for somebody to steal the show, maybe it could be Pryce? Or is that just wishful thinking?