Wigan Away : Sun Mar 27, 2022 1:39 pm  

Just the one loss for the hosts and one of the most difficult fixtures in the calendar.

Sound like we have Gale and Evans back, maybe McIntosh, so some choices for Hodgson. Presumably Gale a straight swap for McNamara. I'd guess Evans in on the bench but not sure who makes way - Fash was rested for the cup after a really solid set of games, so assume he'll be back. If Lovodua remains in the halves will BH stick with Johnstone on the bench? I'd go something like

Connor
Swift
Griffin
Tuimavave
McIntosh
Lovodua
Gale
Satae
Houghton
Sao
Ma'u
Lane
Savelio

Fash
Evans
Bowden/Brown
Wynne

Nice to have a few decisions to make rather than just who's fit. Can see an argument for Gale and McNamara in the halves, Lovodua at 9 and Houghton on the bench. Short turnaround as well, hopefully nothnig coming out of disciplinary this week.

Re: Wigan Away : Sun Mar 27, 2022 2:23 pm  

Mrs Barista wrote:

Just the one loss for the hosts and one of the most difficult fixtures in the calendar.

Sound like we have Gale and Evans back, maybe McIntosh, so some choices for Hodgson. Presumably Gale a straight swap for McNamara. I'd guess Evans in on the bench but not sure who makes way - Fash was rested for the cup after a really solid set of games, so assume he'll be back. If Lovodua remains in the halves will BH stick with Johnstone on the bench? I'd go something like

Connor
Swift
Griffin
Tuimavave
McIntosh
Lovodua
Gale
Satae
Houghton
Sao
Ma'u
Lane
Savelio

Fash
Evans
Bowden/Brown
Wynne

Nice to have a few decisions to make rather than just who's fit. Can see an argument for Gale and McNamara in the halves, Lovodua at 9 and Houghton on the bench. Short turnaround as well, hopefully nothnig coming out of disciplinary this week.

feel sure he will stick with McNamara at 6 although Lovodua has done well there and tightened up the defence
Dont think McIntosh will be available for this game
If we can keep the defence tight and be aware of Field coming into the line at pace in the midfield then we can come away with a win

Re: Wigan Away : Mon Mar 28, 2022 7:58 am  

Macca and Gale in halves, Joe on the bench for JJ for me, Mac if not 100% play Wynne again. Joe Lovodua can cover backs as well will be harsh on Connor Wynne but he's only 21 and he's proving to be our back up 1.2.3.4.5 you can see why Shaul is surplus to requirements.

Re: Wigan Away : Mon Mar 28, 2022 10:45 am  

Ellam wrote:

Macca and Gale in halves, Joe on the bench for JJ for me, Mac if not 100% play Wynne again. Joe Lovodua can cover backs as well will be harsh on Connor Wynne but he's only 21 and he's proving to be our back up 1.2.3.4.5 you can see why Shaul is surplus to requirements.

We're probably better off taking a punt on Ritson from Barrow or Jack Broadbent than renewing Shaul.

Not that I want rid of Swift, but in the next 2/3 seasons we should be having Barron or Litten chomping at the bit as well as Wynne ready to take over

Re: Wigan Away : Mon Mar 28, 2022 11:20 am  

Interesting fixture and a real opportunity for this team to mark down a statement of intent to the rest of the league. Its never easy travelling to Wigan but I have confidence that this team is capable of getting a huge win on Thursday.

Lady behind counter at the club shop said that (albeit not a great amount) we've sold more tickets than they were expecting so far, and had been fairly busy this morning. good to see considering 4 of our last 5 matches have been away from home.

Re: Wigan Away : Mon Mar 28, 2022 11:28 am  

Mrs Barista wrote:

Just the one loss for the hosts and one of the most difficult fixtures in the calendar.

Sound like we have Gale and Evans back, maybe McIntosh, so some choices for Hodgson. Presumably Gale a straight swap for McNamara. I'd guess Evans in on the bench but not sure who makes way - Fash was rested for the cup after a really solid set of games, so assume he'll be back. If Lovodua remains in the halves will BH stick with Johnstone on the bench? I'd go something like

Connor
Swift
Griffin
Tuimavave
McIntosh
Lovodua
Gale
Satae
Houghton
Sao
Ma'u
Lane
Savelio

Fash
Evans
Bowden/Brown
Wynne

Nice to have a few decisions to make rather than just who's fit. Can see an argument for Gale and McNamara in the halves, Lovodua at 9 and Houghton on the bench. Short turnaround as well, hopefully nothnig coming out of disciplinary this week.

I agree , what a refreshing change to have some selection dilemmas, however I think he'll stick with young Ben in the halves and have Joe on the bench, he is so versatile he can probably cover every position but prop, which is why I think he is definitely worth a 2 year deal , as a priority, before someone else gets hold of him.

I think this will tell us where we really are, probably the most daunting away trip apart from Saints, so our performance in this one will indicate just where our mentality is, we may even win this game, Jai Field and Farrell apart, they aren't world beaters by any stretch , however we have to be switched on, from minute one to eighty, or we will come unstuck.

Re: Wigan Away : Mon Mar 28, 2022 11:30 am  

Following the latest round of Betfred Challenge Cup fixtures, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:

Alrix Da Costa (Catalans) – Grade A Late Hit on Passer – 0 Match Penalty Notice

Thomas Leuluai (Wigan) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – 1 Match Penalty Notice

Brad Dwyer (Leeds) – Grade A Tripping – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Mike Cooper (Warrington) – Grade A High Tackle – Careless – 0 Match Penalty Notice
Daryl Clark (Warrington) – Grade A Tripping – 0 Match Penalty Notice

The following player was handed a caution:

Ryan Lannon (Salford) – Dangerous Contact

Re: Wigan Away : Mon Mar 28, 2022 11:36 am  

[quote="ccs"][/quote]

KPP may also be a doubt, as he went off with a groin strain I think.

Re: Wigan Away : Mon Mar 28, 2022 11:38 am  

Looking forward to this, like a trip to pie land. Hope the forecast snow doesn't make the M62 too tricky for the trip. Looks like winter gear going to be needed, I was in shorts at Fev on saturday!

Re: Wigan Away : Mon Mar 28, 2022 11:40 am  

mosher wrote:

Looking forward to this, like a trip to pie land. Hope the forecast snow doesn't make the M62 too tricky for the trip. Looks like winter gear going to be needed, I was in shorts at Fev on saturday!

Different world over them Pennines Mosher.