Lets hope it is different to last season when Langley was 'certain to play in the next match' and no-one saw him for about 12 rounds!!

That was nowt too do with injury apparently.

So what was it down to, Red?

If that's not a tease, I don't know what is.........

Current weather forecast is fair with a temp of around 11C after some light rain in the morning. Hopefully it stays dry and the weather doesn't get chance to put some people off. I've finally put the Leeds game to rest and started to think about this weeks game.

Our kicking game is crucial I feel this week, given that Wigan's defensive line is very quick out of the blocks and any doubt we can place on that will be key to us gaining some territory.

Hopefully our props have a better game, overall I thought that they didn't seem to make enough inroads into the Rhinos as I personally expected them to. I do feel that we are possibly missing an impact back rower / prop ala Paul Anderson who can give us a lift and make some big yards and tire defenders. Most teams seem to have someone like that, yet we don't. Scruton is more of a defensive "impact" rather than a large yards and a spectacular offload type player. He can do it, but he seems to concentrate on his big hits more. Lynch and Hargreaves will run and tackle all day which is great, but we do need that little variation. Never been a big fan of Koppy, I think he's ok and has improved, but he'll always be a 4th choice prop at best for me.

Thinking of Koppy, I think just saying he improved is playing it down a tad for mine. I thought he came on leaps and bounds in the second half of last season (possibly due to the extra game time he got due to the injuries?) and given a decent crack of the whip I hope he continues the improvement this year. Maybe he should just go for it, he's a big lad and it would be a shame to die wondering.

I agree. Its harder to call games early in the season as we dont really know how a teams form is going, but, if last season is anything to go by, the times when Wigan virtually gave games away, they bounced back with really good form the week after

That was the major difference in Wigan last year, as you said we recovered from defeats very well.

I'd expect them to get a bit of a rollocking this week in training, but without wanting to be arrogant I do think we'll win. I'd say there'll be no more than 2 scores in it though,

OK - possibly a little unfair on my part, but, given the size of the lad and the number of games he has now played, should he be doing better than he is?

Maybe the success of past props we have had in recent years (Joe, Fielden, Anderson, Peacock et al) he has a lot to live up to and at the back of my mind I always compare him to them which is a little unfair.

He is still our 4th prop at best though.

I think Shenton is the best English centre by far ATM & LMS is an England regular of the future. But they were pants, I fell asleep with 15 minutes left & was astonished to read it ended a draw.

Fourth best prop is probably right. I think that just counting the games he's played is a bit unfair, since he has been used very sparingly ever since he broke into the side, probably not much over twenty minutes per match on average until we got all the injuries last year. I don't think he was ever used as an 'equal' prop to the others, more a case of 'Lynchy could do with a twenty minute rest so we'll bring Koppy on' and then when Lynchy was rested, Craig was back on the bench (barring injuries) till the final hooter.

When you think that the definite improvement that he's made coincided with the extra game time he got, it seems to me he needs to be given a bit more time to develop his game to the next level, 'cos he definitely has potential and won't improve sitting on the bench.

According to the Pies Bentham is the ref so thats the odds swinging in their favour then?

From the RFL site

Bradford Bulls v Wigan Warriors 3pm
Ref P Bentham TJ P Marklove TJ J Cobb IG P Stockman IG J Roberts RR T Crashley TK C Morris MC D Asquith

You would think then that when he does get his chance each game he'd be chomping at the bit to put himself about and make an impact, given that he only gets 20 mins and that's all he can expect every week unless he does something special to warrant more time?

He reminds me a bit of Chris Feather - although not obviously as big as him - in regards to his demeanour. Never really seems to get riled or angry and play his size.

Not really sure about that to be honest mate. There have been a few props who charge about "trying to make an impact", and yeah, I agree it makes them look keen but it doesn't always result in the sort of impact you might want. I think Richard Moore was an example of what I mean by that; he was effective in some ways but was often a bit over the top and giving penalties away.

I agree that Koppy, just like Feather, hasn't always 'run his weight' and maybe you're right and he isn't nasty enough for a prop, but no-one can deny he's come on since the middle of last year. As for what he'll get this year, again I'm dunno (not much I do know to be honest ) but I hope Potter gives him a bit more time which will have the added benefit of allowing Lynchy more rest and for him to more effective too.

is danny addy still injured? James donaldson still a tad unfit? Ive got a sneaky suspicion young bateman will be in the squad. watch this space