But do you think Ainscough or Richards would fair any differently on the right wing?

I have to agree with this as well. I'm all for them not playing every game, but I would like to see at least one of the two feature in every game.

Now we have Gleeson, yeah i do.

Dave,
Read my posts again. It was not JUST the dropping of the high ball, it was also the terrible tackle on Eastmond AND the dropped ball when running from dummy half that both resulted in Saints tries.

Yes conditions were difficult but Josh Veivers and Josh Charnock coped well with them as did the Saints wingers.

Ainscough is a superb prospect, but there are parts of his game that need to be worked on. That is not getting "on his back" merely stating what should be obvious to anyone who has watched him over the last three years.

But we've had Gleeson for a few games now and he's not put Amos through any gaps or created much space for him. If anything it's probably loaded the oppositions defence on that side and created more space on our right for Carmont and Ainscough/Richards.

I would like Brian Noble to pick who he thinks is the better player to win the game tomorrow night.

What would happen if we had 2 more exciting wingers in the U21's coming through? How would we play all of them?

Should he pick the 19 year old over the 28 year old because of his age rather than ability?

Do I think he looks out of place in the 1st team, NO!
But does that mean he should play him? NO!

It is a fantastic position to be in that we have numerous choices for most positions within the team.

The question is not about Noble, it should be about who is the better option of the 2 to play against HKR this weekend etc.

I want Noble to play who he thinks is the best option, not mine,yours or anyone elses opinion.

What brasses me off Dave is that unless Noble picks who YOU think is the best team then You will slate him for those decisions.

Are you telling me that Ainscough is that much of a better Winger than Roberts that makes this decision so unbelievable?

Quick Question

What would your team be for tomorrow including all the options from the reserves such as Farrell/Vievers and you can even include Mossop/Goulding if you want.

I would be very interested to know!

He's just waiting for CPWigan/Charlie Seeling/Play with a smile etc. to give him an answer

He is too busy watching you

Correct with the first point, this is his strategy with everyone including posters on here.

And I am certain he will duck the question regarding team selection with some offhand comment about Noble picking his favourites and hating youth.

Sam Tomkins definanetly not in the squad tomorrow (unless theres a last minute injury obv) with Piggy back. Im also led to believe Hansens back, not sure in place of who though, although i think it may be Carmont.

Well i would play the same 17 as last week unless Carmont is hurt in which case i would put Richards at Fullback Phelps to the and Ainscough on the wing.

If Tommy is not fully fit i would just bring in Riddell and have Tim and Sam at SH and SO and start Mike Mc at 9 and bring on Riddell from the bench.

But if all last weeks 17 are fit why change a winning team

Whats the weather like?
Its belting it down here

Same in Manchester, so probably Wigan too

The majority of the rain should clear by game time but there will probably be some heavy showers.

Carmont was struggling at the end of the Wakefield game.

Phelps
Richards
Gleeson
Carmont
Roberts
Smith
Leuleui
Fielden
Riddell
Coley
Hock
Bailey
O'Loughlin

McIlorum
Feka
J Tomkins
Prescott

Tonights line up


If Carmont isnt fit, Bailey will play centre with Hansen/J Tomkins starting SR.

local weather man

i was going for eastily winds folowed by some mid to light rain but it should clear up in time for the kick off.

hope for a good game tonight hope the weather doesnt spoil it.

Bailey to centre, Tommy to stay in the halves.

Sam to me last week, forgetting the fact he scored the winning try, looked to be struggling at times, a week off might not do him any harm.

But if he doesn't play, I fully expect the same Ainscough meltdown and mass slating of Noble, win or lose.

I said to a Warrington fan on their board that i thought Sam Tomkins had his poorest game for us last week up until his kick to the corner and then try late on.

He's a marked man at the moment due to the hype surrounding him and a week or 2 off(aslong as thats what it is) may do the lad some good.

Agreed, and most with sense will be able to see that. The usual whinging mob with be out with their pitchforks however.

Of course they will. They would rather moan than praise.

Whereas you would rather moan about them moaning?

We have not so its a moot point.



No he should pick him because the 19 year old has outplayed the 28 year old - and he has IMO and the stats back it up.



He should play the player in form which when you compare the two isn't Roberts.



This is just regurgitating the stupid "the coach is always right" argument. I have some news for you. Noble is not infallible.



And what brasses me off is you rush to defend Noble at every opportunity. You have no opinion other than he is the coach and that is the end of it. If you don't like people disagreeing with him then I am not sure why you bother coming here because people do it all the time and for well argued reasons. It is you who simply won't accept there might actually be something in what people say.



Well you decide:

And look at these stats v Roberts:

Ainscough from 9 games:

Runs from dummy half 30
Tackle Busts 36
Clean Breaks 13
Tries 13

Roberts from 12 games

Runs from dummy half 37
Tackle Busts 16
Clean Breaks 9
Tries 4

Average those stats out over games played and Ainscough has played Roberts off the park in attack.

Defensively and including Phelps:

Phelps, P6, missed tackles 6, errors 6, tries 2. Ainscough P9, missed tackles 7, errors 11, tries 13.
Roberts P12 missed tackles 8, errors 11, tries 4.

Average those statistics out and there is nothing in them defensively. Ainscough averages slightly more errors per game (1.2) than Phelps (1) but misses fewer takles per game ( .77 v 1 per game) for example. Roberts is missing less tackles (.66) per game but makes more errors (.92) errors per game but really there is nothing in it either way.

So what does this tell is? That the notion Ainscough is a defensive liability is way overblown (if he is so are Phelps and Roberts) but on attack he beats the pants off Roberts.

It is also ironic he is less error prone than either of them.

Now I didn't need to stats to form that opinion. I formed it from watching the games played but it is nice to have it conformed. I think the most telling stat is the tackle busts where he averages 4 a game an Roberts just over 1. That stat is why he is an exciting player to watch.

So these are my reasons why I would have Ainscough in the side and what I can not fathom why Noble won't. He is leaving the better player out, period.

You on the other hand can only come up with the coach is always right because I defy you to argue that as far as form goes Roberts deserves his place over Ainscough.



It would be the same as last week with the exception Ainscough would be in for Roberts.

Dave

Wigan to win tonight by 14 points.