SaintsFan wrote:
I don't know why there is this persistence that Gaskell is injured when he isn't. He has just been dropped, as has Makinson.

And deservedly so.

Bit harsh on Tommy that, he played well against wakey

I would rather see Flanagan move to 9 before Lomax.

Wello looked decent on Friday returning the ball (except when he passed to Meli in the in-goal!), but he was missing in the attacking line.

We have seen what Lomax has done and I think I'd do a Saddened if Lomax isn't at FB on Friday.

I think we might see the following line up, assuming that TP and Lance are out.

Lomax
Gardner
Jones
Percival
Meli
Turner
Wilkin
Perry
Speakman
Laffrancchi
Soliola
Manu
Flanagan

Subs

Wellens
LMS
Clough
Walmsley

No LMS Pete?

Missed him out as well lol

I was clearly not on on my game hahaha

Lms on bench to replace greenwood

It looks as though O'Loughlin could be missing (cracked or broken rib). We desperately need to get some of the bigger, more experienced forwards back soon. It's like an elastic band getting further and further stretched. I'm worried in case it snaps.

As I put on the Wigan site, last night for the last twenty minutes Liam Farrell was the oldest man in the pack, and he's not 23 until July.

There's a lot of possibilities with this one. I'd be surprised if Brown brings Gaskell back in he seems way down atm and although Makinson hasn't done anything wrong I can see Gardner playing if he's fit just to get a bit more experience in the team.

Lomax
Gardner
Percival
Turner
Meli
Charnock
Wilkin
LMS
Speakman
Laffranchi
Manu
Flanagan
Soliola

Walmsley
Clough
Jones
Greenwood

Does anybody else think that the challenge on TP from Godwin that led to the injury was a bit suspect. I recall somebody getting a ban last season for a similar challenge.

Jack Dearden mentioned it during his commentary on Fridays game. He said that Godwin would probably be up before the disciplinary next week.

I wouldn't start Charnock, not enough experience in a key position for such an important game.

Will Swift come into contention?

I'd give soeakman a go at 9. It's the big lads' job to make sure he has a comfortable day. Given the forwards Wigan have out, we should be able to out muscle them - unless we're out-enthused, which has happened in too many derbies in the last couple of seasons. It will also make it easier for them if they're getting slick service, and speak man seems to he your best bet for that.

I've not seen the challenge, but from the descriptions I've heard it sounds like the same thing Shenton got done for early last season.

Lomax
Gardner
Turner
Percival
Meli
Gaskell
Wilkin (c)
Perry
Speakman
Laffranchi
Manu
Soliola
Flanagan

Bench

Wellens
Jones
Clough
McCarthy-Scarsbrook

The fact of the matter is Wigan havent got there first chioce front row props available. They could also be missing O'Loughlin and McIlorum who both came off in the first half last night and according to a good friend of mine who is in the know at Wigan both have only a 20% of playing. The key for Friday is we need to get on top of there young pack. Having said that I have been impressed with young Greg Burke and Dom Crosby seem to be very good up and coming forwards but how will they handle the intense pressure of a Good Friday Derby game??? I feel we are favourites but only just, maybe because of the fact we will have a far better pack on show on Friday than Wigan will have available to them. Having said this we should have smashed Wigan allover the DW in 2003 only to go and lose.

I think we will win but it will be one hell of a battle

I think this could work out quite well for Wigan though.
Motavation and (controlled) agression by the wigan forwards has seen you impress early in the season for the past two years, but you've faded as the season's gone on. As it is now, you're going to get your senior forwards back to add impetous when before you might be slowing?