I don't think there's a team in Super League that would have sufficient cover for losing Briscoe, Moon, McGuire, Faloon, Ablett, Ward and Buchanan all first 17 players, all at the same time at the very start of a season when you've just lost three of your previous first choice 13 to retirement. That's a winger and a centre on opposing sides, meaning that neither side can function ideally; our stand off and captain, meaning our attacking structure suffers. Our first choice hooker meaning we suffer in both attack and defence. Our left sided second rower - adding to the imbalance on that side, and our loose forward. But no, people are really exaggerating the issue of Leeds' injury list.

All told we could be starting against you with only ten of our first choice 17 - and you don't think that gives you any advantage?

First of all, it's not some kind of injustice that you've suffered these injuries; it's a fact of life in RL. So change that chippy, truculent tone.

Secondly, you're not the only ones. So stop talking as if you are.

If you want to be taken seriously, you really need to stop this casual dismissal of Wigan's own injuries as though they're simply irrelevant. Sam and Joel Tomkins and Micky McIlorum and Sean O'Loughlin are key personnel for us. Vital, in fact. It could equally be argued that, as regular first-teamers, Willie Isa and Dom Crosby are important losses too. So that gives us an 'advantage' over you of ONE.

I'm sure that, as triple-crown holders, you're not going to be so churlish as to make a big deal out of that?

Have a look at the quote I was responding to and maybe you'll understand my 'chippy' tone mr patronising. Apparently we've only lost a hooker and a stand off, so I'm imagining the rest. Or am I wrong to take issue with a deliberate false representation of our situation? And I think missing 6 of your first choice 13 is the very definition of a big deal. Churlish or not, it's true.

According to the Wigan rag O'Loughlin will likely be back for Friday, so that's one back for you. I'm not claiming nobody else gets injuries, I'm not saying it's not part and parcel of the game - what I am saying is that people are talking like it's unreasonable for Leeds fans to point to our injury list and say that it's probably playing a part in our form and it has a considerable impact on our chances of winning at places like the DW. Apparently that's out of order.

You knew the three were retiring before the season started... Irrelevant.

Leeds keep counting the three lads that have retired as though they're missing them from a potential 17! They spent their salary cap space elsewhere and they have been replaced by others.

I see McGuire as Leeds most important player this year and he's a huge loss for them but Sam Tomkins and Micky Mac are two of our three most important players (along with Lockers) and neither will be there on Friday along with a few others.

Leeds don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to using injuries as an excuse because they're playing a team with plenty of problems themselves. To try and keep throwing the retirements of players who's cap space has been spent elsewhere is showing a little desperation IMO.

I wouldn't mind but we're missing Andy Farrell, Shaun Edwards and Billy Boston anyway.

Let's just roll them over ! you would think no other teams have any injured players.

As I've said in my previous post, it's not that we're missing them from our current first choice 17, but it's the fact that losing them at the end of last season was tough enough without their replacements then getting buggered. It makes Leeds a hugely different proposition from the treble winners - that was last seasons team. You're not playing the treble winners, but the treble holders - and the two are really quite different.

As for Tomkins - you don't know yet if he's going to be an important player for you. He was three seasons ago, but since then he's lost pace had a serious injury and for the first time in his career been widely considered a failure. Nobody knows how he's going to come out of all that. He plays in an important position, but to claim him as one of your three most important players before he's even stepped on the pitch is optimistic speculation.

Wigan signed Tomkins in April and he got injuried at the end of August. So no, we didn't sign him expecting him to be injured now. Therefore yes, what you're saying is irrelevant.

This is superleague and even on two stumps Tomkins would be one of the better players in the league!

Sam Tomkins had a very good first season in the NRL and a non existent second due to being injured (even when playing). He won't be playing injured for us and he will 100% be one of our most important players. He's a leader and even if he's effective in a different way to when he last played in superleague he'll still be effective and he will dominate games for us.

However we look at it I'm confident he'll be a more important player for us then Ash Handley,JJB,Moon, Falloon, Ward etc are for you.

I will go for Wigan by 14 if Falloon plays and Wigan by 22 if he doesn't play. Wigan whilst not playing well are getting the wins. We were lucky to beat a pish poor Huddersfield.

It's a game between 2 teams who work hard and generally defend well.
Both teams lack any guile in unlocking even half decent teams who defend with energy.
I expect no more than 20 points in the game with less than 6 points between the two.

Personally I would rather face a Leeds team containing Handley than without him. I wouldn't be skriking that he isn't playing but would be thankful that he isn't available.

Tight game with Wigan just shading it by a couple of points

You guys really need to get that chip on your shoulder looked at, it seems to be growing!
I know you have injuries! did you even read my post?
I said I thought you were better suited to deal with the injuries because you play a very structure game and at least have your first choice 7 to guide your team around
Not really a radical statement is it?


Why do you even care what sky say? everyone knows they're just talking rubbish dont they?

Glad you are not feeling sorry for us , although i must admit its been a tough last dozen years for us and i for one am feeling a bit jaded myself . Still i will try and pick myself up for this one despite knowing there will be more important games to come .