: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:19 pm  

Saw Snitchy in the learning zone on Wednesday and he looked pretty fit to me, so as he was the only injury worry and assuming he will play, who is Atkins going to replace because IMO none of those that played on Sunday did anything to warrant them being replaced this week.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:21 pm  

I would always select Atkins in front of Martin at centre

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:23 pm  

i not so sure he will risk atkins this week, not that i privy to any inside info, just gotta a feeling we may leave him another week get him fully fit for salford tho

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:24 pm  

Pacman wrote:

I would always select Atkins in front of Martin at centre

Even though Martin proved his worth on Sunday and Atkins hasn't even proved his fitness?

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:25 pm  

If Atkins is fit i am sure Kear will play him, get the points on the board now lets not take Salford for granted

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:26 pm  

[quote="Catnap"]Even though Martin proved his worth on Sunday and Atkins hasn't even proved his fitness?[/quote]

He will be fit he did all pre season training and with a shoulder injury you can still be fit, atkins doesn't use his shoulders anyway in defence but in attack he will cause young Watkins all kinds of problems

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:29 pm  

Pacman wrote:

I would always select Atkins in front of Martin at centre

In normal circumstances then yes I'd probably agree, however Martin was solid at Wigan and is a proven kicker. If he's fit I'd probably have Atkins on the bench and use him in the second row or as cover for the back line. ie if say Grix went off move Martin yo stand off and put Ryan straight in at centre.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:33 pm  

Pacman wrote:

If

How big an if is that considering that he was going to be out for months not so long ago? I wouldn't have any idea whether the injury was as bad as first thought or not, but I can't help wandering if they thought that this was one operation too many and have taken a chance on rehab as a means of avoiding the surgeons knife, but either way considering how the backs played at Wigan the least they deserve is the chance to back those performances up rather than being dumped in favour of a player who's fitness is in question. That was a tactic that sent our season t!ts up last year.

BTW, if you dropped Martin who would take conversions?

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:37 pm  

Pacman wrote:

I would always select Atkins in front of Martin at centre

not on friday night i wouldn't, plus the goal kicking

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:37 pm  

Pacman wrote:

He will be fit he did all pre season training and with a shoulder injury you can still be fit, atkins doesn't use his shoulders anyway in defence but in attack he will cause young Watkins all kinds of problems

But he got the injury through trying to tackle fatty Graham with his shoulder at Knowesley road and if he isn't using his shoulders in defence that may be the reason why his defence wasn't up to standard last season.