#Wolves2014 Squad News in association with Lookers Vauxhall

Wolves will take on Widnes Vikings on Saturday afternoon 2.45pm in the first Elimination Play-Off of First Utility Super League at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith names his 19-man squad.

Wolves Squad

10 - Roy Asotasi
4 - Ryan Atkins
3 - Chris Bridge
17 - Ben Currie
19 - Anthony England
25 - Ben Evans
18 - Rhys Evans
15 - Ben Harrison
9 - Micky Higham
8 - Chris Hill
23 - James Laithwaite
5 - Joel Monaghan
14 - Michael Monaghan
7 - Richie Myler
20 - Gareth O’Brien
29 - Gene Ormsby
6 - Stefan Ratchford
1 - Matthew Russell
11 - Trent Waterhouse

Match tickets still on sale in WolfWare and at WolfWare Online

I suspect TS will leave out Ben Evans and Gene Ormsby, but I would much prefer it if he played a half fit Ben Evans and dropped Asotasi.

My team would be............

Matthew Russell
Rhys Evans
Ryan Atkins
Stefan Ratchford
Joel Monaghan
Richie Myler
Gareth O’Brien
Chris Hill
Michael Monaghan
Ben Harrison
James Laithwaite
Trent Waterhouse
Chris Bridge

Ben Currie
Anthony England
Ben Evans
Micky Higham

To miss out
Roy Asotasi
Gene Ormsby

That is a strong squad, well capable of going all the way. My concern is that we seem to have a few players who are playing with more than the usual niggles.

I also would prefer a half fit Ben Evans than the half-wit Asotasi

That squad looks so much better than feared, would definitely put B Evans on the bench as I have had enough of Asotasi and Evans is much better. Good to see Atkins back too but I really want Ben Harrison to start and make his usual huge impact!

Russell
R Evans
Atkins
Ratchford
J Monaghan
O'Brien
Myler
Harrison
M Monaghan
Hill
Laithwaite
Waterhouse
Currie

Higham
B Evans
England
Bridge

Ormsby & Atrocity to miss out.

At the Nando's event many weeks back, Ben Evans told me he was in training to get back and fit for the Huddersfield game. If that's true, surely he won't be "half" fit. Has he been playing for Swinton of late? Play him, I say.

Dont think he has played for Swinton lately, would still play him though!

Unfortunately he has not played for Swinton, and his last game was against Salford on July 22nd. I suspect it will take him a couple of games to get back up to game speed and match fitness, but a fully committed Evans is easily worth a half-d Asotasi, and provide we beat Widnes he will be even stronger in the next match, so a no-brainer for me as well.

I suspect most teams will to some extent, and after a hard, long season, be relying on players who are way short of fitness, carrying knocks, patched-up, propped up and dragged-off the treatment table into their strip.

For this reason, I feel we have to go with Ben E, Ben H, Bridgey and pray we don't get anymore knocks, setbacks and that we can nurse them inbetween matches. So, I'm going with :


Russell
Evans
Ratchford
Atkins
Monas
Bridge
GOB
Hill
Monas
England
Waterhouse
Laithwaite
Harrison

Myler
B.Evans
Currie
Higham

What ever the 17 Ben Evans as to come into it for me.

He deserves a crack at it after his early season form.

Couple that with Asotasi being one of the most undeserving players to ever pull on a wire shirt, there are slow starts to players careers but this has been ridiculous. Ben Evans showed far more in the games he played before injury.

Bridge and Harrison fit?! And Ben Evans back?

WAHOO!

I was dreading the play-offs. Now I feel really excited!

Based on the performances over the last few weeks I'd put in Asotasi over England