Which is why it would probably be better putting someone like Hoff, Tuson, HH there instead of Lockers. That way we have the attacking threat of Lockers in the middle and a tighter defence along that side.

Sam gets more protection at Full Back than at Stand off and I think he'll see the season out there. The way he was hit yesterday, you wouldnt think he was protected. The Dull FC spoiling tactics and the targetting of Sam nearly worked and I expect Huddlesfield will already have had a game plan similar to Dulls even before they saw yesterdays match. I fully expect Huddlesfield to pull no punches, especially given the recent history Lockers/Robinson etc. Wigan will need to stand firm, and face up to a brutal tests. I expect Warrington to act exactly the same, but Leeds lack to size and do the same and at least have some players, rather than thugs. 2 out of 3? 3 out of 3 please, but our strength in depth will be tested. Shame we haven't any spare centres!!!

This game is about decoding and defending the 3-5 simple plays that Brown coaches.

Finding a good centre is the key. FB and 5/8 aren't that important to get exactly right. Safety first for this game with so many injuries.

I think we'll beat them, Wire is were we might come unstuck.

I wish people would stop banging on about how Tomkins should be playing stand off. He is playing 6, he has been there all season, he just defends at full back.

Look at how the Aussies usually play.
The full back is usually an elusive creative player who chimes in at second reciever. Slater, Bowen, Hunt, Hodgeson, Patten, Gidley etc etc I could go on and on. Virtually every NRL teams best player is usually at full back chiming into the line at second reciever ala the old stand off position.

They all defend at full back but attack as a stand off and hit the line at pace. This is exactly the role that Sam plays for us he may have the number one on his back but he is effectively playing stand off. This position brings the best out of him because he gets to hit the line at pace with players supporting him on either side.

IF Deacon is not fit, leave Sam where he is, Tommy can play the little general fole, he needs to step up and control the game from 7 and O'Loughlin can support him from 6 as he has the hands to do so, he can defend on the right hand side to shore up our defence.

Keep Sam at 1. If he played all game at 6 he'd get hammered by the Hudds forwards. Hull FC are nothing compare to Hudds when it comes to smacking players high around the head.
Our forwards have to get stuck into Mason, Griffin and Co and not take a back step.
Hudds have more headhunters than a recruitment agency!
After yesterday the intensity levels need looking at too.
Play next Friday like we did for the first 65 mins and it will be very difficult. Play like they did in the final 15 mins and Wigan have every chance of a win.

Hudds are a better team than Hull.

We will need to up our game ten fold if we are to get any kind of result on Friday night.

I think too many experienced players missing in 1 go, Richards, Roberts, Gleeson, Fielden, Finch and losing Deacon after 20 minutes every other week will lead to a Hudds win. Could also have Joel missing if he gets cited.

Just thinking about yesterday, What was the score when Deacon went off?
If it was 4 - 10 that means that we kept them tryless with Lockers at six, and we may need to defend like that on Friday at Huddersfield.

Nothing to say Roberts wouldn't be recalled for this one.

A good point though. I wonder what the average age of our team was in the 2nd half yesterday.

For me it'd probably be:

Sam Tomkins
Goulding, Charnley, Carmont, Roberts
O'Loughlin, Leuluai
Mossop, McIlorum, Coley
Hoffman, Hansen
Farrell

Deacon (if fit), Lima, Prescott, Tuson

Roberts should of played yesterday if hes fit, with the 3 games weve got coming up (Hudds, Wire, Leeds) if hes fit he needs the game time. All our strike players are going to have to come up with some magic to get 2 out of 3 wins which id say we need to get towards the top.

1. Roberts
2. Goulding
3. Pryce
4. Carmont
5. Charnley
6. S Tomkins
7. Powell
8. Lima
9. Mcllorum/Tommy
10. Coley
11. Hoffman
12. Hansen
13. Lockers
14. Prescott
15. Mossop
16. Farrell


I'd bring Powell in at scrum half. Powell is a good un, possibly our future number 7 and it's time to try him out. Really believe that Tommy is a far better hooker than scrum half. Messing about with players not really used to playing half back always comes to grief and if we don't get it right then Brough and Brown are going to kill us.

Quote ="Father Ted" Hudds have more headhunters than a recruitment agency! '" Penalties conceded for foul play to date 2 and top of the fair play league Wigan, foul play penalties conceded to date 18 (equal 7th) Yep, we're a set of headhunters www.superleague.co.uk/fairplay.php Dont think it includes your misdemeanours from yesterday neither I'd have agreed with your comment 7-8 years ago though

Quote ="Father Ted" Hudds have more headhunters than a recruitment agency! '" Penalties conceded for foul play to date 2 and top of the fair play league Wigan, foul play penalties conceded to date 18 (equal 7th) Yep, we're a set of headhunters www.superleague.co.uk/fairplay.php Dont think it includes your misdemeanours from yesterday neither I'd have agreed with your comment 7-8 years ago though

Sam's been charged with running in and punching so it looks like he'll miss out on Friday as well as Joel. Hope Deacon and Roberts are fit again or our backline will look pretty weak. Any chance that Finch will be available?

I think he went off just before the Briscoe try, but wouldn't swear to it.

we could possibly have Sam, Joel, Deacon, Gleeson, Richards, Finch and Fielden missing for various reasons in this game, that is the heart of our team basically. We desperately need to bring Pryce back.

1. Roberts
2. Goulding
3. Pryce
4. Carmont
5. Charnley
6. O'Loughlin
7. Leuluai
8. Prescott
9. McIlorum
10. Coley
11. HH
12. Hoffman
13. Farrell

14. Lima
15. Mossop
16. Tuson
17. Marsh/Crosby/Davies/Whoever

Quote ="Gahan"Penalties conceded for foul play to date 2 and top of the fair play league Wigan, foul play penalties conceded to date 18 (equal 7th) Yep, we're a set of headhunters www.superleague.co.uk/fairplay.php Dont think it includes your misdemeanours from yesterday neither I'd have agreed with your comment 7-8 years ago though'" LMAO As the stats give 2 points for each foul play penalty the stats are 1 Hudds V 9 Wigan. This is pre yesterday so you can expect that to go only one way. If Sam Tomkins was so bad yesterday why is he only on a grade B offence. I seem to remember Wagga getting 3 matches for his running in and punching at MM

Quote ="Gahan"Penalties conceded for foul play to date 2 and top of the fair play league Wigan, foul play penalties conceded to date 18 (equal 7th) Yep, we're a set of headhunters www.superleague.co.uk/fairplay.php Dont think it includes your misdemeanours from yesterday neither I'd have agreed with your comment 7-8 years ago though'" LMAO As the stats give 2 points for each foul play penalty the stats are 1 Hudds V 9 Wigan. This is pre yesterday so you can expect that to go only one way. If Sam Tomkins was so bad yesterday why is he only on a grade B offence. I seem to remember Wagga getting 3 matches for his running in and punching at MM

Powell is not ready yet he is a decent player but I would love him to prove me wrong but I havent seen anything from him to suggest he will be our future 7.

Mossop came off holding his shoulder.

That's still a strong team IMO. If the worst comes to the worst and we are without all those players, I still think it will be a tight game against the Giants, and not necessarily one we'll lose.





Just bruising.

Still a good team. How many other squads could lose that many quality players and still have that strong a team on paper.

Chips will be down (especially if suspensions are added in) but Shaun Wane will still have them fired up for a fight! Pressure off, should help us actually. Bring it on!

Is Roberts definitely going to be fit enough to play? He was supposed to be fit enough to face Hull and didn't play. We all know what he can be like with injuries and if he's out too along with Sam who's almost certain to get a ban that would mean a crisis at fullback.

if sam and joel are both banned Id recall karl pryce and get him in the centres, we need as much experience as we can get in the backs.

Id go with.

1. Roberts
2. Goulding
3. Pryce
4. Carmont
5. Charnley
6. O'Loughlin
7. Leuluai
8. Prescott
9. McIllorum
10. Coley
11. Hansen
12. Hoffman
13. Farrell

14. Lima
15. Mossop
16. Tuson
17. Davies