I see none of the Wigan players are involved tomorrow although I guess a combination of cup tied (is that an concept in Rugby League?) and offering opportunities to others. Still think there are injured/unavailable players in that 21.

Sam Dore appears to be a Prop (looking at the Reserve team shirt numbers last week) a position we look very short on with Hill and Silva not available and Bienek potentially injured. I think we only really have Williams, Albert and Stock now.

Yep, Dore is a prop who has played for Brixton Bulls and Leeds University.

It’s a real shame we’ve drawn Haven as it would have been instructive to see how we would have gone against a top of L1 side. My gut feeling is we would have won but would have been useful to have that confirmed by evidence. Another week goes by with the high spot being that one of the few players we signed, who feels like he might be a useful player, is now available to play....5 weeks in. Sigh!

I guess Raiwalui didn't pick up Waine on the way then?

Is Raiwalui ready to go after a long trip. Regardless, as it's a cup game it would be surprising the club don't take a punt on him in the match day squad.

YepIm betting he plays regardless of jet lag, familiarity with team mates, tactics etc. Got a felling he’ll do well but does kind of under cut all that benefits of training, team building, culture stuff. We are where we are. Let’s hope for a win. Long way to go for me and junior if we lose again.

Anyone going other than me?

I thought I'd convinced you to drink heavily from 7am & not to bother opening the ground.

I’ve already started! And had forgotten

Dread to think what you might have forgotten by 3pm tomorrow then. Hope BT Jnr is up to the task of getting you home.

Hooray. Completed dominated Haven. Unclear how they scored twice. A little worried after the first 20 where we were camped in their half and only had 4 on the board. But a win. Stock, Lovell and Ulberg played well. A little worried so far this season by the fact we only really have Ulberg who knows where the try line is but Bassett is proving to be a player with real energy and I’d say he was MOM.
As an aside it was all in the feted Gold Lounge. I have seen the promised land. Wowzer.

What was in the Platinum (sorry Gold) Lounge Big Time?

Agree on the three players you highlighted who once again all looked good. I find Lovell is under rated by many. I understand he is a relatively one trick pony, but he repeatedly makes good yards. I probably need to watch him on defense more to see how he rates in that area.

Bassett offered something extra today which was pleasing. Looked a real threat. Great breakaway from our try line late earn that nearly led to a try.

I'm a great believer in beating what's in front of you and getting the credit for it. And London thoroughly earned and deserved this victory. But Whitehaven were so poor. The worst team I've personally seen at Plough Lane (and I've seen some dross from AFC Wimbledon!)

Good to get all 18 players on the pitch, with Henry Raiwalui being solid and mistake free in his cameo roles. He was very structured and precise today, so look forward to a bit more of the x-factor next time he's on the pitch at Plough Lane. At least I think it was Henry.

Henry didn’t play so must have been someone else!

And Whitehaven were not just the worst I’ve seen at Plough Lane, worst I’ve seen since period! Very poor, but a throughly professional performance from the boys.

Yes HR didn’t play but he was involved in warm up in a coaching type role. I think when he eventually gets on the park he will be an asset to us. We desperately need some good additions to the squad so I think he will be one of the squad leaders and I hope that helps us push on because the last couple of seasons have been desperate.

Haven trekked the length of England in pretty poor weather I suspect to be at PL and they were poor. 10 flattered them but I have some sympathy.
As for the GL. Well we won and it feels Small Time, which you know I hate, to put the knife ins so let ,e say it feels a pretty standard corporate space with a small bar. I think it can do a job for some: for others they may well wonder what all the ‘fuss’ is all about.

Smithers I missed an open goal here by saying did you not see use against and Widnes and Haven last season. We were beyond parody we were so poor @ bravenewdawnforbroncos@totalmissstep

Ha Ha. Very good point!

I thought Henry was on the pitch as a specialist for our kick-offs? Wasn't it him bringing out and placing the kicking tee then returning it to the sideline? Or was it somebody else?

Hmm. Not sure. The chap who did it last , volunteer with a big old beard, was definitely knocking about today but IIRC did struggle a little bit with mobility last year so may have given up responsibility to someone else.

Happy with a strong performance against an admittedly ordinary Whitehaven side. Seemed to surprise ourselves with the amount of possession we had after the early score and the attack still looked a bit clunky. Plenty of effort and determination though, when the weather, low crowd and squad changes could have caused disruption.

Chatted to a few of their fans at the end and they were impressed with Jared who was man of the match for me. Overall a nice confidence builder to take into the Newcastle game, hopefully with Henry in the driving seat.

Seems like it was a much better effort but how many were there to see it ?

Who knows but I’d guess it made it into three figures. At £10 adults and free for kids it’s not the pricing that’s the barrier so plenty for behind the scenes people to think about. Oddly a decent atmosphere.

I was in one of the corporate boxes for the first game this season, they are surprisingly basic as well. I believe money was tight when the stadium so I suspect Dons decided to cut corners with the fitting out to save money. Build a decent space and you can fit it out how you want whenever you have the money. Nothing wrong with the box, just pretty basic for a professional football club. Nice seats and a good view outside to be fair and the Dons employee sent to ensure we were ok was good

I looked at going on Saturday, but no Greater Anglia or Elizebeth Line trains running into Essex and no trains on Thameslink to Haydons Rd put me off. At least Ealing had street parking and plenty of bus routes. PL seems to be around a mile from 3 or 4 tube stations with a fairly sp bus service and limited car parking nearby. I'm not knocking it as a stadium but it does have access issues.

. Parking issues with Saturdays and trains not running, put paid to me attending on Saturday too.

Never had a problem parking myself - usually find a spot on Keble Street, if not swing round to Huntspill Street.

That's interesting to know.