As far as I can see its pretty simple - club offered hampshire the best deal they could afford, set a deadline so that if he says yes or no its another part of the plan for the following year, he either said no or nothing waiting to see if he could do better. Board then started recruiting on basis that he wasn't coming. We wouldn't have signed walker if hampshire had said yes - lifted budget - we have cover in halves with reynolds , full back with Jowitt centres with arundel.

We started the season with a squad that could cover a number of positions if required
Reynolds 6 or 1
Wood 9 or 7
BJB 1 or wing
Rocky 1 6 or 7
The under performing players and reluctance to change things round have not helped the cause.

As per Wakefields Twitter account...

MCB has withdrawn from the 19 man squad with Big Dave coming in to replace him.

Is dave fit or is it panic stations,if fit brilliant news

Seems pretty confident of playing on his Twitter.

Seems like a bit of a joke to me from Big Dave with his latest tweet, but you could read it either way. Great news if he is ready to play, especially with no Kops.

Is DF going to play on the wing?

Just a thought actually, what would be the point in bringing him into the 19 if there was not a chance he would play? Surely they would have just kept MCB in the 19?

Exactly why (even though he made his little joke about playing on the wing) I took it seriously, perhaps they're going to see how he is later today?

Win or lose today, we'll still be 8th this time next week as I have some good news.

KR and the Giants are going to draw tomorrow...

Saints should have points deducted for pretty much giving London the game. I’m sure in Football there are sanctions for fielding deliberately weakened squads.

Correct but I believe it is only when there is no legitimate reason for fielding the side, Saints are 10 points clear at the top with a Challenge Cup Semi final to play the following week, albeit against Halifax.

Even if found guilty I wouldn't imagine anything would happen until next season anyway.

The joys of having a 4g pitch. Teams crap themselves when playing on it with fear of injuries to key players

In the past RL clubs have been fined for fielding weakened teams.

You can “rest those injured” as long as you declare them. It is only when the likes of Sean Long and his mate nip down to the bookies and make a few quid. That is why the RFL established the 19 men squad prior to the game.

forget London or anyone else it’s in our own hands

That's a frightening thought.

Quite right. Win our games and it doesn't matter what the others do.

Oh I completely agree, and it’s our own fault we’re in this mess. I just wondering if teams were still punished for it.

why should they be punished for it, they worked harder at the start of the season which entitles them to rest players

Saints can select who they want, they’ve earned the right to rest players at this stage if they wish by being 10 points clear.

I’ve a feeling we’ll win tonight anyway and make it immaterial what London do.

Yes. I don't agree with fining a team for a perceived weakened team. Who's to say what weaker is.
What happens when we put Hampshire and Wood in the halves because we are fed up with our first choice. Are the RFL going to judge us and say you should have played Brough so you are fined.

Too subjective. Leave it to the teams.

Jowitt
BJB
Lyne
Tupou
Hampshire
Miller
Brough
England
Randall
Tanginoa
Batchelor
Arundal
King

Wood
Fifita
Annakin
Pauli

Interesting.
That's a good team if Fifita is fit.
Hampshire is going to get pressure under the high ball. Hope he's ready.

I’ve been feeling wary about the game all day, just got here and checked the Wigan line up. I’m not going to say I’m confident but it’s not the strongest Wigan team we will of come up against.

Hampshire on the wing is a complete waste of his attacking threat, yet the flower pot men remain in the halves.