Looking more and more likely that Dodd has been dropped, Welsby to 6, Lomax to 7 and Robertson making his debut at FB. Huge call by Wellens and a last roll of the dice. Had he had 10-15 mins earlier in the season against the likes of London he would've been more prepared.
Now he's thrown in against the best team in the comp away from home.
It is a roll of the dice but it could also be a blessing in disguise as it will give you far more in what is currently a misfiring half back combination. In addition it's also looking likely that we'll be giving a young lad his debut in arguably the most pivotal position on the field which, along with it being only the 2nd game together for Smith and Farrimiond, goes some way to evening out Robertson's debut.
It is a roll of the dice but it could also be a blessing in disguise as it will give you far more in what is currently a misfiring half back combination. In addition it's also looking likely that we'll be giving a young lad his debut in arguably the most pivotal position on the field which, along with it being only the 2nd game together for Smith and Farrimiond, goes some way to evening out Robertson's debut.
Again though for me its slightly different. Wigan are flying, high on confidence and have far less injuries. Mautautia and Hurrell are now believed to be out on Friday so thats Makinson, Walmsley, Knowles, Batchelor, Whitley, Wingfield, Matuatia and Hurrell missing. Plus Mbye banned.
We are at rock bottom in terms of confidence together with all those players unavailable. Its 4 of our starting pack missing.
Again though for me its slightly different. Wigan are flying, high on confidence and have far less injuries. Mautautia and Hurrell are now believed to be out on Friday so thats Makinson, Walmsley, Knowles, Batchelor, Whitley, Wingfield, Matuatia and Hurrell missing. Plus Mbye banned.
We are at rock bottom in terms of confidence together with all those players unavailable. Its 4 of our starting pack missing.
I don't disagree with any of that, particularly with regards to confidence. I would mitigate it somewhat though by saying both Hurrell and Bachelor have been from average to downright awful this year so I'm not sure they're much of a loss and Whitley and Wingfield don't make it into your first team if everyone is fit. They're not dissimilar to us losing Cooper or Isa. The others are more genuine losses but then so are Field, Leeming and, particularly, O'Neil for us.
I'm not pretending it's even by any means. We're in a far better position than you because of squad depth and how we're playing. Plus we can afford to lose this game far more than Saints can.
Robertson is an outstanding young player. He and Jack Farrimond were "best in class" in their age group. I'm looking forward to seeing how they go on Friday if selected.
I don't disagree with any of that, particularly with regards to confidence. I would mitigate it somewhat though by saying both Hurrell and Bachelor have been from average to downright awful this year so I'm not sure they're much of a loss and Whitley and Wingfield don't make it into your first team if everyone is fit. They're not dissimilar to us losing Cooper or Isa. The others are more genuine losses but then so are Field, Leeming and, particularly, O'Neil for us.
I'm not pretending it's even by any means. We're in a far better position than you because of squad depth and how we're playing. Plus we can afford to lose this game far more than Saints can.
I think that Isa and Cooper, if fit, would be playing on Friday. We will have at least 5 players missing from our 17 man squad. It’s only because we have a more in depth squad that nobody from outside of the Wigan camp are even talking about players missing from the 17. Wouldn’t be surprised if at least a couple of the Saints injured players make a miraculous recovery to play on Friday. It’s a derby so I fully expect Saints to step up and give us a really hard game. It will be interesting to see how Peet covers the hooking role as I can’t see Ratchford (if he plays) playing 80 minutes so somebody else within the 17 will also have to cover the role. I’ve only seen Ratchford on Wigan TV but he looks a really exciting prospect. Looking forward to Friday.
I don't disagree with any of that, particularly with regards to confidence. I would mitigate it somewhat though by saying both Hurrell and Bachelor have been from average to downright awful this year so I'm not sure they're much of a loss and Whitley and Wingfield don't make it into your first team if everyone is fit. They're not dissimilar to us losing Cooper or Isa. The others are more genuine losses but then so are Field, Leeming and, particularly, O'Neil for us.
I'm not pretending it's even by any means. We're in a far better position than you because of squad depth and how we're playing. Plus we can afford to lose this game far more than Saints can.
I think that Isa and Cooper, if fit, would be playing on Friday. We will have at least 5 players missing from our 17 man squad. It’s only because we have a more in depth squad that nobody from outside of the Wigan camp are even talking about players missing from the 17. Wouldn’t be surprised if at least a couple of the Saints injured players make a miraculous recovery to play on Friday. It’s a derby so I fully expect Saints to step up and give us a really hard game. It will be interesting to see how Peet covers the hooking role as I can’t see Ratchford (if he plays) playing 80 minutes so somebody else within the 17 will also have to cover the role. I’ve only seen Ratchford on Wigan TV but he looks a really exciting prospect. Looking forward to Friday.
I don't disagree with any of that, particularly with regards to confidence. I would mitigate it somewhat though by saying both Hurrell and Bachelor have been from average to downright awful this year so I'm not sure they're much of a loss and Whitley and Wingfield don't make it into your first team if everyone is fit. They're not dissimilar to us losing Cooper or Isa. The others are more genuine losses but then so are Field, Leeming and, particularly, O'Neil for us.
I'm not pretending it's even by any means. We're in a far better position than you because of squad depth and how we're playing. Plus we can afford to lose this game far more than Saints can.
I think that Isa and Cooper, if fit, would be playing on Friday. We will have at least 5 players missing from our 17 man squad. It’s only because we have a more in depth squad that nobody from outside of the Wigan camp are even talking about players missing from the 17. Wouldn’t be surprised if at least a couple of the Saints injured players make a miraculous recovery to play on Friday. It’s a derby so I fully expect Saints to step up and give us a really hard game. It will be interesting to see how Peet covers the hooking role as I can’t see Ratchford (if he plays) playing 80 minutes so somebody else within the 17 will also have to cover the role. I’ve only seen Ratchford on Wigan TV but he looks a really exciting prospect. Looking forward to Friday.