Semi Final v Salford : Sat Jul 22, 2017 12:31 pm  

I'm feeling quietly confident of a good win next week, despite us not firing on all cyclinders. We have more than enough quality to get a result against a team whose bubble seems to have burst. They've had a cracking season and are much improved but have lost 6 out of the last 7 games, with their only win coming v Huddersfield and have lost their last 3 games by 26, 24 and 25 points respectively.
We'll have a good strong squad who have had plenty of rest before Sunday, hopefully including Faz and Joel. Can't wait!

Re: Semi Final v Salford : Sat Jul 22, 2017 12:59 pm  

Bigredwarrior wrote:

I'm feeling quietly confident of a good win next week, despite us not firing on all cyclinders. We have more than enough quality to get a result against a team whose bubble seems to have burst. They've had a cracking season and are much improved but have lost 6 out of the last 7 games, with their only win coming v Huddersfield and have lost their last 3 games by 26, 24 and 25 points respectively.
We'll have a good strong squad who have had plenty of rest before Sunday, hopefully including Faz and Joel. Can't wait!

Both Faz and Joel will play.

Re: Semi Final v Salford : Sat Jul 22, 2017 2:20 pm  

Farrell sounded 50/50 in his interview before the game last night when I watched it back. He also didn't seem too sure in his Wigan Evening Post column but fingers crossed.

If they're both fit I'd go-

Tomkins
Davies Gelling Gildart Burgess
Williams Leuluai
Sutton McIlorum Tomkins
Bateman Farrell Lockers

Clubb Tautai Isa Powell

Nuuausala much improved last night and it'd be a close call between him and Tautai to miss out but I'd just edge for TT. He himself needs to get better though. He's been nowhere near his best these last couple of months.

Re: Semi Final v Salford : Sat Jul 22, 2017 7:20 pm  

With mcllorum playing well and taken off for a long period I wouldn't be surprised to see Powell miss out if Farrell and Tomkins are fit
Tomkins
Davies
Gildart
Gelling
Burgess
Williams
Luluai
Nuasala
Mcllorum
Sutton
Farrel
Bateman
O'Loughlin
Isa Tomkins Club Tautai

Re: Semi Final v Salford : Sat Jul 22, 2017 7:55 pm  

I can't see Wane dropping Powell. He likes that he offers something different to MM when he comes on (whatever that is, I don't see it), plus TL had his ankle strapped and left the field before the end of the game so we might need the backup.

The most interesting one is if Joel plays and if so who he replaces. Isa had a great game last night and the only prop you'd drop (other than Wells) is FPN but there's no way Wane will drop him either.

Re: Semi Final v Salford : Sat Jul 22, 2017 10:18 pm  

Wigg'n wrote:

I can't see Wane dropping Powell. He likes that he offers something different to MM when he comes on (whatever that is, I don't see it), plus TL had his ankle strapped and left the field before the end of the game so we might need the backup.

The most interesting one is if Joel plays and if so who he replaces. Isa had a great game last night and the only prop you'd drop (other than Wells) is FPN but there's no way Wane will drop him either.

Joel on the bench to replace Lockers.

Re: Semi Final v Salford : Sun Jul 23, 2017 7:26 am  

Your probably playing us at the right time. We're riddled with injuries losing lui and possibly bmm who got put on report its a tough task to beat you boys, although no excuses. Cant see anything other than an easy wigan win

Re: Semi Final v Salford : Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:26 am  

Fozzysalforddevil wrote:

Your probably playing us at the right time. We're riddled with injuries losing lui and possibly bmm who got put on report its a tough task to beat you boys, although no excuses. Cant see anything other than an easy wigan win

Lui is a key player for Salford and would be a big miss if he's out, as would BMM. The Wigan team that was beaten by Salford at the DW stadium earlier in the season was as folows:

21. Lewis Tierney, 36. Tom Davies, 32. Liam Forsyth, 5. Joe Burgess, 35. Liam Marshall, 39. Josh Woods, 16. Sam Powell, 8. Frank-Paul Nuuausala, 33. Josh Ganson, 19. Ryan Sutton, 20. Willie Isa, 12. Liam Farrell, 11. Joel Tomkins

Interchange: 17. Taulima Tautai, 23. Nick Gregson, 24. Joe Bretherton, 26. Romain Navarrete

To be fair the lads gave a decent account t of themselves against Salford when they were in good form. However, next week's Wigan side won't look anything like that and it'll be interesting to see how Salford go against a far stronger Wigan. I'm not saying it'll be easy but I do fancy Wigan.

Re: Semi Final v Salford : Sun Jul 23, 2017 10:40 am  

Wigan are 2/5 with the bookies so fairly heavy favourites. I fancy Wigan to win but that is more down to Salfords form rather than ours.Results wise we have picked up since the injured lads have returned but performance wise we still ain't firing.

Re: Semi Final v Salford : Sun Jul 23, 2017 10:51 am  

Fozzysalforddevil wrote:

Your probably playing us at the right time. We're riddled with injuries losing lui and possibly bmm who got put on report its a tough task to beat you boys, although no excuses. Cant see anything other than an easy wigan win

We're not playing well enough for anything to be easy. If Lui is out there's more then enough quality in Carney and Dobson to take it to Wigan. Murdoch Masila would be a big blow but unless it's pretty serious the panel have a history of going easy before big games. What did he do?