Russel's not a #7, he's a #1. I think you might mean Mellor...

agree totally. until pat is back have roberts at FB who did nothing wrong in the hudds game if you ask me. sam and finch int he mix will complement each other (i also think finch played too quickly on friday which caught us out!)

micky as bench hooker.

Mclorum is not good enough for Wigan, sorry! He's of the Lowes' mould; in that yes, he is aggressive and tough (likes to run his mouth a bit too), however it's fair to say the #9 position is so much different now. Its the most pivotal position in any playing squad in my opinion and you need someone who has all his current attributes accompanied with speed, vision and the ability to control the ruck area.

Leuluai really doesn't seem as effective for you at 7 and if I was Maguire I'd be pushing him into the hooker role. You've got Deacon to come back and partner Finch who will get better and better. And you've got Tomkins at FB who can easily slot in the halves.

But #9 is where you need somebody more influential, the rest would take care of itself as a result.

He does not play as a second 6 though. A six does not attempt to take the line on virtually every time they get the ball. Sam seems to do this all the time. As to taking the ball standing still, Sam has explosive acceleration from a standing start and IMO has a much better chance of breaking the line when he's actually in it than when he runs into it with the defence set ready - which they seem to be for him this season. He is not actually getting anywhere against the better sides joining the line when playing at 1. This may have worked last season but its not doing so this season.

Exactly! He was subject to Brough's superb kicks and most FBs would have had a problem with them. Brough is SUPERB at kicking like that and I wish he was in our team. Sam at 6 is the best thing we can have. Sam at 6, Finch at 7 and Tommy and Micky interchanging at 9 (with Finch the man going off and tommy dropping to 7 until Finch is fully fit if need be)