Wigan Game : Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:23 pm  

Next game is only four days away - assuming the absentees are fit - who would you bring in and who would they replace -

Jowitt for Walker
Pitt’s for tangata are no brainers



Gets a bit tougher after that kyle wood has to play - but do you drop crowther or j wood ?
Battye again has to play but green or batch to drop out of squad

Then there is the hardest decision of all does Ryan Hampshire play and if so where ?

Personally would drop green and tangata bring in battye and Pitt’s , Kyle wood probably for j woods - as despite my reservations re crowthers ball playing and attacking abilities he does provide cover in both the front and back row and make a big impact in defence.

Would bring in Pitt’s to replace batch, Hampshire only place I could see him playing would be on seniors wing

Re: Wigan Game : Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:41 am  

Not sure I'd replace Batch with Pitts tbh.
Batts has to come in if fit as well as Max and Woody.

Re: Wigan Game : Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:58 am  

BarnsleyGull wrote:

Not sure I'd replace Batch with Pitts tbh.
Batts has to come in if fit as well as Max and Woody.

I agree. Max for Walker, Battye for Green/tangata. Wood for Crowther/Wood.

We should be going to Wigan ready fo roll.

Re: Wigan Game : Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:04 am  

Did Crowther not go off under the HIA and if so Thursday is too early for him to play.

Re: Wigan Game : Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:18 am  

I’d like us to get back to using 2 hookers again So K Wood in for me and this leaves a tough call on what happens to Crowther or Batch because Ashurst and Westerman have to play imo and it’s one of the young(ish) uns to join em. I get why he wants Crowther in because his defence is excellent and so against Wigan he might edge Bachelor for me. My instinct is Bachelor edges it with ball in hand/lines run but that could be unfair on Crowther given how much he’s played hooker recently and hard to know from the outside what he’s been told his remit is.
Agree Jowitt for Walker.
I thought Green did OK and often found his front, plus he’s a big bugger so he stays. I’d possibly bring in Battye for Tangata.
Hampshire is a tough one maybe he has to miss out this week? Annoyingly i think he’d have been just what we needed at full back v Leeds with his attacking play.
Pitts To miss out too for me

Re: Wigan Game : Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:55 am  

Just a few concerns :-
- Is five days really going to make that much difference for the players who were not fit for the Leeds match, are they going to be available.
- Our left side defense was poor against Leeds, whatever system the coaches has been operating for the last three years either is a poor system or players don't understand it. Wigan`s right side attack had a great deal of success against Leigh, the Luluai, Bateman, Bibby combination will take some handling. With this in mind I would select Arundel in the Centre and put Bill on the wing. Senior looks like he can finish but his defense is not great. Arundel is our best Centre for me.
- Wigan controlled the game against Leigh beautifully in the second half with Smith given plenty of time to pin Leigh back with an excellent kicking game so we are going to have to pressure the Wigan kicker better than we have pressured kickers in the past.
- For me Lielow was playing injured against Leeds, we know he hurt his ribs pre season, against Leeds he didn't take the line on at all, rib injuries are particularly painful I understand , so if he is carrying an injury and Rocky is available then its a no brainer. That said like I say I doubt that any of the injured players will be available for selection. Hope I am wrong as it was noticeable that when Fafita and Arona went off we started to really struggle, Having Batty available would really help.
- The hooker situation is my biggest concern, it seemed obvious from last season that we needed an organizing type hooker who reads the game well and also manages the forwards coming onto the ball ie manages the sets. K Wood is a great impact hooker, coming on tp fizz things up, Ginger Wood is in my opinion just not a hooker, he is a great tackler but his passing game, organizing skills, running from dummy half are not areas that an opposition has any worries about, add to that he doesn't seem to have a kicking game which is a crucial attribute in the modern game Crowther is not a natural hooker and is better in the back row. I know funds are tight but we should be looking to bring in a hooker, I would go as far as saying that its the most important position in the modern game.

Re: Wigan Game : Mon Mar 29, 2021 12:45 pm  

Agree with above post especially about the hooking role K Wood is the only hooker we got.This is his last year Think every thing that was said about Wood applies to J C playing 9 who we all agree is not a hooker.The main problem with J C playing iin the second row is he can tackle but offers little with ball in hand .Think he should be left to fight for is place in second row and let's get a 9 in who can defend but also move the team forward .

Re: Wigan Game : Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:09 pm  

Reet C'mon guys, we both need to pick up 2pts this w/end. Let's do it.