Quote: SmokeyTA "As Leeds fan looking at that back-line you would hope for some success from a Moon/Hall partnership up against Gelling and Burgess, and Watkins/Briscoe up against Sarginson and Goulding.
That pack doesnt look as intimidating as usual, Farrell and Bateman are good young back rowers, but not the established names which would strike fear in to you, similarly for Taylor and Crosby, though i do think Taylor has had a great start to the year.
Its a big strong bench but not one that would terrify you with impact, but it will add to the way Wigans forwards grind it out and there isnt a drop in physicality.
If Leeds can match Wigan, or even win the battle up front i think the outside backs will be too good to keep out and Leeds defence this year has been brilliant and Very difficult to score against
On the other hand thats a big strong pack capable of getting on top of teams, Leeds missing Burrow and Aiton might make it more difficult to get quick distribution from the ruck to pull players in and get that space out wide and a good kicking game from Green and Smith would probably put Wigan in poll position in that case.'"
I think that's a reasonably fair assessment, the one advantage Wigan do have over Leeds on Friday is we are at least coming in to it with our first choice spine.
We need our forwards to step up in the middle, Taylor and Clubb will punch holes in the defence all day long but the likes of James, Crosby and Dudson need to ensure they play at the same intensity with Flower and Pettybourne missing. Farrell and Bateman have been outstanding so far this year, and will need to make sure they help out Goulding and Sarginson/Gelling against your centres.
If we can match you upfront and keep it tight in the opening 20 or so then we definitely have a shot. Goalkicking isn't as much of a worry as it maybe would have been a month ago if it ends up close, Smith has upped his success rate recently.