Of course they are an excuse. If we were missing as many as Wigan probably will, we'd get beat by 30 minimum, and our first comment would be about how many players we were missing. The second comment would probably be about a lack of effort.

This is a derby and whoever the big APE puts out the 17 players will be up for it, So yes we have a bit of an advantage with our squad but Wigan will be no pushovers. If anything they have more to prove so could be a harder game?

Sounds like Brown is throwing down the gauntlet to our forwards. www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/4118

Sounds like Brown is throwing down the gauntlet to our forwards. www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/4118

Our pack needs to step up massively from Sunday's performance, they were really quite poor IMO, especially around the ruck in defence.

Wane saying he might be giving a couple debuts, squad later on should be interesting.

I'd like to think so. I honestly feel Friday could be make or break for certain players and even Brown himself. McManus can't possibly accept another gutless derby performance.

We as supporters wont accept another gutless Derby supporters. Its time we really put a marker down against them.

Richard Beaumont playing this week for Rochdale is good to see, hope his luck changes and we get to see him in the Redvee

COYS

I think you have this wrong - it would be a massive failure if Wigan don't win this after shouting about how good their strength in depth is with only a handful of senior players out on each team and home advantage too - Wigan should win this at a canter - and well if they don't will be shown up in front of the Sky cameras.

If I'm honest: I am dreading this game. Another embarrassment would be so hard to take.

I think our pack will respond on Friday, really looking forward to it, winning will put a marker down for the rest of the season.

I wish I could get that sort of faith back, but of late I've been finding it a lot easier to expect the worst.

+1