Took a couple of high balls including a fantastic catch when he had to sprint across field to get to it.

As for tackling he didn't really have to do any because when Wire came close to breaking the line the scramble defence from everybody was outstanding. He did have a one on one tackle in the 2nd half to make but slipped before the guy got to him. He just about regained his feet and managed to slow the player up enough with a half tackle for somebody else to get to him.

He has his flaws but he's our best option and one of the leagues better fullbacks. It was interesting to watch Mathers try and deal with a little grubber through from Tomkins.......It was going straight at him and was a 50/50 as to who's get there first between him and Tomkins. If that had been Pehlps he'd have thrown himself on the ball not considering his own safety whereas Mathers stood there dithering and ended up doing nothing allowing Tomkins to kick through for Pryce who nearly got there before the Wire cover.

Oh dear, here goes.

Phelps,
Roberts, Gleeson, Carmont, Richards.
S Tomkins, Leuluai,
Fielden, Riddlell, Coley,
J Tomkins, Mossop,
O'Loughlin.

Bench, Feka, Deacon, Prescott, Pryce.

We need a pack with size and regretably I drop Hansen & O'Carroll. Feka & Prescott into the pack with Deacon to 7. Pryce is huge and can make a lot of yards, a couple of his tackles last night were thunderous. A tiring back line would have no answer to Karl Pryce. We have to give him a decent run of games.

Not a chance O'Carroll makes more metres then Coley.

I like O'Carroll but he was too easily dealt wit last night and the other 4 looked far more of a threat.

Bloody ell Mathers!

Exactly.

Whenever Phelps makes an error this season people should always think 'it could be worse'.

Is Mossop looking like he's going to make the 1st choice 17 this year then?

I'd imagine so.

His challenge will come when Bialey comes back but if he keeps going like last night his place won't be under threat. He could hold down a second row or props shirt this season which helps him.

People don't seem to be considering Phil Bailey at all - apparently pretty much fully fit now.

The backline picks itself at the moment. Going off my belief that Riddell is our best starting 9 and that we need Leuluai on the field for 80 minutes considering he's a big attacking threat - its a straight choice between Deacon and Mcilorum for the bench. Mcilorum isn't fit right now anyway so Deacon would get the nod there. If Deacon excels we may have to look at adapting the line-up somehow so he can start but not yet for me.

At prop, its a simple selection in my opinion; the four have to be Fielden, Coley, Feka and Prescott. I'd probably start with Coley and Prescott again like last year but I doubt Maguire will go that way. Thinking of the squad as a whole you can't help even at this stage to think how complete the team could be in 2011 if we were to replace Coley and the other worst performing prop with a world class forward and Gareth Hock. Eamonn O'Carroll's long term future does not lie at Wigan in my opinion but he'll do a fine job for another Super League club.

For the backrow, I'd stick with Hansen and Tomkins with Mossop on the bench. Give Bailey a little more time to make sure he's completely right. When and if the time's right bring him back in but the English lads deserve a chance to cement their places at the start of the year.

Finally, just to mention Karl Pryce his chance will come a few games in I'm sure. Whether it be an injury or a change in tactic I'm sure he'll get a run but he has to take his chance now - he's running out of time. Darrell Goulding is another one whose future in all likelihood lies away from Wigan. Once again the opposition fans and pundits will sneer at Wigan releasing their own academy products conveniently ignoring the fact that if Wigan weren't around to provide the other clubs with the surplus players that we spend so much time and effort in developing, Super League would essentially be on life support.

Spot on assessment IMO.

Cameron Phelps
Amos Roberts
Martin Gleeson
George Carmont
Pat Richards
Sam Tomkins
Paul Deacon
Stuart Fielden
Thomas Leuluai
Andy Coley
Harrison Hansen
Joel Tomkins
Sean O'loughlin

----------------------------
Paul Prescott
Lee Mossop
Feka Paleaasina
Mark Riddell

Piggy Has to start
Tommy starts at 7 for me with Deacon maybe coming on after 1/2 hour or so.

Cameron Phelps
Amos Roberts
Martin Gleeson
George Carmont
Pat Richards
Sam Tomkins
Tommy Leaulia
Stuart Fielden
Mark Riddell
Andy Coley
Harrison Hansen
Joel Tomkins
Sean O'loughlin

----------------------------
Paul Prescott
Lee Mossop
Feka Paleaasina
Paul Deacon

As for the props, start any 2 of Prescott/Coley/Fielden with Feka on the Bench.

O'Carroll not big enough for me to get in starting 17 over any of those 4.

JS,
Agree with your team with the exception of leaving O'Carroll out. If we're going to pick on performance in the two "trial" games then IMO it would have to be O'Carroll ahead of Coley.

I understand your concerns about his physical size but he has given more to the side in those two games.