I'd be starting Livett at LF and playing BMM at 12. Cant see the point of us having this 'gelling' period and not playing our most promising young player. BMM wants to play wider and his size and athleticism could provide us with some mismatches on the edge, especially at the opponents goal line (where we've needed all the help we can get for quite some time)

When you say pessimists do you mean forum comments and projections based on what has been seen so far ? I think the biggest concern is that the issues from 2017 appear to be extant in the first games of 2018.

I'm quite optimistic this season. I think we will finish 7/8/9.

Forgive me, but BMM has played second row in both of the games so far. Hughes has played in the middle as 13 until BMM comes off, then he switches out to the right. And so far been the best of our back row, Currie having a quiet start and BMM not getting a lot of minutes in.

Yes BMM has been named at loose but played on the right edge for the first two games. BMM suffered from a chronic lack of ball vs Hudds, everything went left to Brown / Currie / Atkins / Lineham. When Roberts is back and fit hopefully we can redress that balance as Roberts / BMM / Atkins / Brown could be dangerous given time.

I do hope so, but in the interim I’d recommend BMM laying off the fudge. Looks really heavy and slow. He spends a lot of time off the field for a second row.

Shaun Wayne would have no problem dropping any player he though wasn't performing. regardless of name and regardless of who he had as back up. He also doesn't bring a player straight back in if their replacement is performing. he makes them wait till their performance drops. at the minute players need dropping. Ratch, Atkins, Russell, K. Brown, Cooper, G.King.

I'd have no problem seeing a team line up like this against Widnes:

J. Johnson

Lineham
Goodwin
Livett
Prell

Patton
Roberts

Hill
Clark
Philbin
Currie
Hughes
Murdoch-Masila

Smith
G. King (Only if Crosby and Akualoa are unfit)
L. Johnson (Only if Crosby and Akualoa are unfit)
Westwood

Good post but don't think Patton in place of K.Brown. Especially against Widnes seems to raise his game when he chooses.

Moving On...Sean Wane has the luxury this season of being able to drop someone and there is someone who can replace them. We don't...
Thin with outside backs and thin with props. They are undroppable.

Our team is/ought to be class quality but balance is a obvious issue with our team...wherever Atkins goes his wingers come in for a torrid time...Ryan is fantastic as doing what he does but his wingers get crucified.
I would get a passing back and move Atkins out to the edge.

Who would you describe as "class quality" in our squad?

The only reason he has quality waiting is because hes dropped star players in the past and threw the kids into the mix. He trusted them. they've been exposed reular and often. The reason our young lads (and other teams young lads) don't look as good as Wigan academy products is because they're brand new out the packet.

Il be the first to admit, Brown hasnt been great. However he has had 3 worldies against Widnes, so why you would drop him in favor of someone who barely touched the ball in the 2nd half at Huddersfield i dont know.

Brown wasnt great either, but least he had his hands on the ball trying to make something happen.

However, what i do agree with is that some changes need to happen if the current 17 carry on like this.