Wellens
Gardner
Gidley
Meli
Foster
Wilkin
Smith
Graham
Cunningham
Hargreaves
Soliola
Flannery
Roby

Puletua
Clough
Emmitt
Dixon/Lomax

Thats the team i'd like to see start. I know Wilkin isn't quick enough for stand off, but he would sure up the defence theres little doubt about that. I couldn't pick between Dixon and Lomax for the last bench spot because Dixon played well last week but we could bring Lomax off the bench move him to stand off, Roby to hooker and Wilkin to loose forwards when KC goes off the field, and that would inject some pace in the halfbacks. Starting with Wilkin would ensure a solid start defensively, IMO.

The Goons will declare on 240 for 0.

But...
Given our players and the way our season's gone compared to our wigan counterparts, we should have a lot fewer problems defending against weight up the middle than we will against their pace and movement outwide - does wilkin add to this side of defending?

Possibly not, theres quite a few ways of of looking at it. Although Wilkin isn't the quickest player, hes very good defensively and would help keep the structure out wide, rather than have players flying out the line, like Meli has done in the past. I put that down to Eastmond not making the tackles he should and Meli having no confidence in Eastmond because of that, i think he would have the confidence in Wilkin to make the tackles. As i say, theres different ways to look at it and Potter has a tough job, but i think he'll probably go for the same side as last week with Lomax for Eastmond. I get the feeling he doesn't rate Gardner because the two previous games that Gardner played, before he got dropped, he played pretty well, and i am not his biggest fan.

Actually, you'd probably put wilkin inside Gidley and smith outside flannery, so that would be a pretty robust line up. It still wouldn't make me worry if Lomax came in though - he's a pretty tough character and doesn't mind the tackling.

Likely to be going off what team you lot are posting:

Wellens v Sam T
Gardner v Goulding
Gidley v Gleeson
Meli v Carmont
Foster v Richards
Wilkin v Deaco
Smith v Leuluai
Graham v Fielden
Cunningham v Riddell
Hargreaves v Coley
Soliola v Joel T
Flannery v Hansen
Roby v O'Loughlin

Puletua v Feka
Clough v Farrell
Emmitt v Prescott
Dixon/Lomax v McIlorum

I've played with Johnny and he certainly won't shy away from a tackle. Rather like Roby in that respect.

I agree, tough decision. If we don't put Lomax in i fear that we may lack that spark in attack, which is why i'd be very tempted to have him on the bench in place of Dixon. Tough decisions.

No way will either Puletua or Soliola start from the bench! The Wigan pack needs shaking up!

Wellens
Gardner
Meli
Gidley
Foster
Wilkin
Smith
Graham
KC
Hargreaves
Soliola
Puletua
Flannery

Roby
Clough
Emmitt
Dixon

That should be our line up but I have no problem if Lomax plays.

It wont happen but I'd be tempted to have Lomax on one wing and Foster on the other.

Wigan will assume Meli is going to be on the wing and bombing him will be one of their main tactics.

If we can negate that then all we got to do is tie Tompkins laces together and its sorted

^^^^
Is exactly what I was gonna post.

I can't for the life of me understand why some would:
a) Want Meli on the wing again after losing us the last 3 Grand Finals.
b) Not want what has looked a fairly decent partnership in which both Gardner's and Meli's play improved, bar the early opening exchanges against Warrington which so happen to come after having had a week off.
c) Want a young half back in the side who hasn't played for a few weeks and picks up injuries as much as Eastmond and Wheeler does.

If we really wanted an spark in attack for the full 80 minutes the logical choice would be to play Roby at 13 with Puletua to drop to the bench, but then whilst we'd overpower the Wigan bench, it could be too risky and leave us to then be overpowered by Wigan's starting pack, so I'd say too you can pretty much expect Soliola and Puletua to start.

I agree with you on the pack. Whether we win is going to depend a lot on knocking the snot out of the Wigan pack in the first 15-20 mins. I'd also prefer to see Meli in the centres.

Lomax should play if he's fit, I reckon. That would leave a tough decision on who to leave out.


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