I have no doubts this will be a tough game on Sunday given the numerous ex players in Swintons ranks but it looks a good chance to give a few players who havent featured a run out. I would go with the below if all are available, i would give Haggerty and Varks an extended run before bringing them off. I would also like to see Thompson and Hulme again.

1. Scott Yates
2. Shaun Ainscough
3. Dean Thomspon
4. Shayne Grady
5. Matt Gardner
6. Anthony Thackeray
7. James Webster
8. Ben Davies
9. Mark Smith
10. Gareth Haggerty
11. Matt Strong
12. Richard Varkulis
13. Liam Farrell

14. Thomas Coyle
15. Jim Gannon
16. Dave Houghton
17. Danny Hulme

[uRested[/u

Steve Pickersgill
James Ford
Toa Kohe Love
Lee Doran
Dave Allen
Chris Gerrard
Ben Kavanagh

[uInjured[/u

Paddy Flynn
Dean Gaskell
Chris Dean


I think the team has enough about it to beat Swinton, it should be a good day if we travel in good numbers which im sure we will.

How has Yacca been doing VM? Some people seem to 'either take him or leave him' I thought he looked alright when he first broke in to the squad.

I'd have probably looked at giving Allen a run out, granted not seen them play but has to give them opportunities. Glad he came out and said hedoesn't know the best team at the moment (granted games have been cancelled), but I hope that is the case in another 6 weeks or so whilst still putting performances in, its good for competition for places.

To be honest Vic i think this year will be Yacca's last, he's never quite grasped his chance when given the full back role. He often makes a few clangers and i think McCormack and to a lesser extent Cullen realise he isnt up to scratch. His slight build also doesnt help, He's a great lad to chat too and comes across well with the fans but i just cant ever see him being a regular full back for Widnes.

Hope Wigan don't recall Ainscough after Phelps was ruled out for 4 weeks. Looks like Phelps will be replaced by either Goulding or Ainscough. Might be worth playing Kavanagh as he may pick up a ban next week after his red card on Sunday. I agree with resting TKL to keep him fresh and also Ford who looked a bit out of sorts for parts of the Barrow game. IMO we need to go with a strong pack, try and get the game won early and maybe bring on a few youngsters as the game progresses. The only worry for Sunday would be going with a weaker squad and then not have the players on the bench to turn it round if things don't go as planned - tricky decision for PC this week because Swinton are no mugs and will be well up for it.

It's fairly frustrating really.. he plays well but is all too likely to drop a clanger and then his confidence looks shot. Against Gateshead he had a good game on the wing, moved to fullback naturally when Ford limped off and looked okay / comfortable.
Then Gateshead put a fairly straightforward kick through which he goes to deal with and somehow knocks on gifting them a try.
I'm desperate for Yates to do well having watched these lads in the academy and it was easy to see their potential. In the case of Yakka, the only thing keeping him back is his concentration and his confidence.

He needs to cut out the daft errors.. and if he does make a silly mistake in the game he needs to let it go and move on rather than dwell on it and cause more.
He could / should be a brilliant full back.

Wigan squad for Saturday, No Ainscough



Wigan Warriors: Roberts, Gleeson, Carmont, Richards, S. Tomkins, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Coley, Hansen, J. Tomkins, O'Loughlin, Prescott, Bailey, Paleaaesina, Deacon, O'Carroll, Mossop, Goulding.

should bag a hattrick sunday in the last 20 mins.

Good news just hope they get no more injuries to their backs.I think farrell will stay most of the season with us to be honest.

Cheers for that chaps, if there is a lad you want to do well in the side its the local lads. I actually managed to get a copy of the programme and seen that he knows he's got a big year this year so hopefully if he's a year older and a year wiser then he can start to get is head on it when things don't go his way - its all a learning curve though no matter what sport or job you do.

Just read PC on the weekly news website, reckons that Hulme will be in the squad on Sunday too. Not seen anything of him but hope he does well to keep the dynasty going. What is he like, is he anything like is 'arl fella?

Danny Hulme is identical to his dad, check out the following pic public.fotki.com/esjayjay/2009-p ... cad-1.html From all accounts he's looking very good, it's important not to put to much pressure on him though. (just realised how old i feel even though im only 27 i can remember his dad like yesterday and then up pops Danny! chris that feels weird)

Danny Hulme is identical to his dad, check out the following pic public.fotki.com/esjayjay/2009-p ... cad-1.html From all accounts he's looking very good, it's important not to put to much pressure on him though. (just realised how old i feel even though im only 27 i can remember his dad like yesterday and then up pops Danny! chris that feels weird)

It was Thackery who knocked the ball on and gifted Gateshead a try not Yates , another thing holding him back in peoples eyes is being blamed for errors he didnt commit.

The Vicar

I agree

He makes enough errors of his own without being blamed for other people's.



Only joking of course, it always surprises me when I see Yacca make mistakes because when I used to watch the u18's team with him in it, I can't recall him ever having a bad game. IMO rather than mistakes, it will be his physical attributes that will decide if he makes it or not. I'm still keeping an open mind, but just not sure if he is big, strong, fast enough, then when you also add on the mistakes he's made at 1st team level - he's going to have to have a big year if he is to make it as a regular 1st teamer with us.

.. I thought it was Thackray but my mate was certain it was Yates!!

From my posts you will see that I am a big supporter of Yates and would like him to go on and do well. I certainly am not one of those gunning for him each time he makes a mistake.

No problem IET.

I can see your pro the development of our youth.

The Vicar

I’m not too concerned about the silly mistakes Yates makes occasionally. I’ve seen Paul Wellens make similar mistakes too. I agree with V4E. that he just doesn’t seem robust enough at senior level. He’s really good with the ball in hand, and that will only improve with time, but defensively he gets walked over. As the last line of defence, he may as well not be there at all. You can see the fear in his eyes and he sells himself in the tackle and just falls over.

Hopefully he’ll mature and bulk up a bit more. If he can do this he’ll make it. But if he can’t….