Yep that's me. I usually tell to win the cup too.

I understand the situation, it just won't feel right.

A Liverpool fan would want to win a CL semi final above a Utd game, but they will still hate losing said Utd game.

I’d be up for them going full strength against Wakey for sure but regardless of the result we’d then have to rest players against Saints. We couldn’t lose the game and then say ‘we need points against Saints’ so throw the same 17 in again and then again against Leeds IMO. That would be potential suicide on all fronts. It leaves you the two options I mention-

1-Wakey-Full strength, Saints-8 or 9 rested, Leeds-Full strength

2-Wakey-Rest 4 or 5, Saints-Rest 4 or 5, Leeds-Full strength.

The Wakefield result wouldn’t have a baring on my Saints team personally. Win the Wakey game and it’s happy days with pressure off that Saints game but lose against Wakey and I wouldn’t panic and throw important players in again. We can pull two league defeats back (although it would be tough) but we can’t pull a cup semi final defeat back.

Full strength against Wakefield and give Wells Killner and Hankinson a chance against saints they've been waiting long enough for a chance and we may need them further down the line

We have lost Eddie Battye and Liam Kay but have a decent amount back for for Friday
Fifita
Arona
Green
Tangata
Ashurst
Miller
Tom Johnstone

For me you pick your best available team for every match regardless. After seeing our lads complete 'Mission Impossible' where we played 8 games in 18 days to win the title I have high standards.

We've already been burned by Hull KR this year by resting players.

It's always the same problem. Deliberately picking an understrength team implies to the opposition that you think you can beat them with your subs. It's a red rag to a bull.

And the truth is that we can't beat people with our subs, as we've already proved ... especially when we're up against a team who are even more determined to beat us.

Even the John Monie Wigan team avoided resting players, and that was 1,000 times better than this one.

Full strength injuries and suspension apart https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2020/09/ ... wakefield/

Full strength injuries and suspension apart https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2020/09/ ... wakefield/

Correct decision. Go for it against Wakey and let the fringe players and young guns have a blow out against Saints. They have nothing to lose. Getting to the final of the Challenge Cup is more important than beating Saints in a regular game at this point of the season. Saints will be out of the first knock out game of the play offs anyway

Yeah happy with that. They may still rest one or two but it looks to be full strength and then possibly rests against Saints on Tuesday. This would clearly look the more winnable game, so as long as the attitude is right and they can get the win, they give Lam the breathing space to do what he sees is right against Saints.

Just watched interviews with Lam and Gildart on Wigan TV and they all but confirm it’ll be a real second string team against Saints, with lads not playing Friday getting a chance and talk of a few debuts.

And we know what happened last time in 2003 we put out a scratch side against Saints.

That would be very nice. Maybe Lammy can put the boots on to add to the nostalgia