I wouldn't, Crookes is better on the wing than he is. I'd expect Gentle to stick to not playing players out of position unless he really has to.

Or play our taller, top try scorer in a cup final?

yes, at centre!

and so are Ben Crooks and Kirk Yeaman, surely it's better to pick your best 13 available and make them fit.

Been thinking about this since the semi.

When AP took over one thing he did go on about was the injury history of the club. He stated how Wigan were the leaders in prevention and rehab. And how we had no real sport science at the club, we had injuries and no way of getting them fit, healed and back. One thing he really did want to invest heavy in was this side of things.

Earlier in the season i was thinking what has he done, we used Citys anti gravity treadmill at the start of the season on Ellis, but what really struck home was the Semi

Holdsworth should not have played. Under the old administraion he would not, he should be returning about now. PG stated clearly how our medical team got him back 3 weeks early.

So maybe AP has done some serious investments here.

And if Crooks plays...........

guessing you mean Arundel?
he's been playing well yes but it's up to Gentle to choose between them, Crooks hasn't played on the wing this year and it's a bit of a risk sticking him there when Crookes played very well v Salford, he soaked up all the pressure put on him by Salford's kickers.

It's up to Gentle I guess, I trust his judgement to pick the right squad.

Shame for Lineham but the rumoured team is a strong one.

Massive boost IF Ben Crooks is fit.

It's that kind of thinking that came up with a GB side including 4 loose forwards and Horne on the wing.

It's really not better to pick your best 13 players and make them fit, it's best to pick your best available fullback, your 2 best available wingers, your 2 best available centres, and so on, as much as is realistically possible.

For me i think Shaul could be the difference between winning and losing. Yes we could have Crooks back which is a bonus but for me it's Shaul.

Spoken to my dad about this, his speed and awareness to follow up is what we have been missing since Shaun Briscoe and Richard Horne days.

I've just got a gut feeling he will be dropped.

so you would never pick azza at 7 then?

that's an unfair comparison, Azza has played at 7 for large chunks of his career

Only if we didn't have a better halfback available. So Miller, Holdsworth, and Horne would all have to be unavailable. I wouldn't play him at 7 if it was just because we had 3 hookers available and 1 halfback missing.

Regardless, he's still a hooker who only really 'does a job' in an emergency in the halves. I wouldn't use it as a way to shoehorn him into the side if it was a case of us having 3 first team hookers vying for position.

true, just call me Richard Agar

www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... z2cOTQcLnb CROOKS fit ? do they mean Lee Crooks ?

www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... z2cOTQcLnb CROOKS fit ? do they mean Lee Crooks ?

I'd heard this was a possibility but didn't want to post in fear of being shot down. Good stuff

Be fun if Lineham, Crooks, Yeaman, Horne, Arudral all make it

Arundal has a fractured hand. So I would be amazed if he played

Crooks has been playing since page 10 of this thread



Also seems certain then that Lineham & Arundel may require surgery and won't play



If Crooks at centre means only option for Horne would be FB

I'm hoping for :

Shaul
Lineham/Crookes
Crooks
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Miller
O'Meley
Houghton
Watts
Ellis
Tickle
Westerman

Heremaia
Lynch
Pitts
Whiting

Horne at FB seems to be 'too big a risk' whereas Crooks straight back in after surgery seems to be worth consideration.

ATEOTD I bet there's been loads of players who have played at Wembley who have been less than 100% fit but got through the game no problem and been winners. We hear about some that didn't work out (Senior etc.) but would never know about the ones who did. Whoever plays will give it their best I'm sure of that.

Yep that would be my pick also

I honestly dont mind if it is Horne or Shaul at full back. Only the coach knows how Horne has looked in training so if he deems that a better option for this cup final than playing Shaul - who will be heavily targeted - then I will support that decision

For me no need to gamble on Horne with Shaul having stepped into FB role and played well, but his name has been coming up too much in the media to be ignored, also been mentioned that Horne will be in the19 man squad which would be a good option as IF Crooks is named he could be subject to a last minute fitness check with Horne ready to step in if he doesn't make it. Training / structures could be based around this scenario.... only my view of course #mindgames

Is the difference that Crooks has to play because Arundel is injured and we have no other centres whereas Horne doesn't need to play because Shaul is fit and in form?

Bert Trrautman (r.i.p) played with a broken neck.
Patrick Bergeron played in the Stanley cup with punctered lung, broken rip, ruptured spleen and a dislocated shoulder.

So somebody tell them lazy b*****ds to get on the bus an go win us a trophy.