I do hope Hardaker hasn't got a problem with that "bulging disc" in his neck. I noticed on Sunday that he was rubbing it after a tackle.

Hardaker a big loss on top of all the other missing three quarters. It's left an unbalanced look to the squad. With one of Hardaker, Thornley or KPP there it doesn't look quite as threadbare. Even Marshall on the wing would have allowed Halsall to centre and again not quite as disjointed looking. Halsall and Miski together with such little first team game time between them would be quite a risk.

That said, even though a win would be nice, I don't think it's the be all and end all of the season. Good Friday or not there are more important games on the horizon and I'd sooner have players fit then if given the choice.

5 out though. Is that an injury crisis in Saints terms?

My hope is that the result doesn't influence everyone's thoughts.

From a Saints point of view if we win and win well there will be lots of Saints fans that will say "see they aren't as good as they think they are, we've shown them who's boss etc"
From a Wigan point of view if they win there will be lots of Wigan fans that will say "see Saints aren't as good as they think they are" etc

In actual fact both teams irrespective of Friday's result will be up there all season and bar Catalans, the Grand Final Winners and CC winners is unlikely to come outside of those 3 teams.

One result won't define the season despite one team having the bragging rights.

Spot on Stu. The bragging rights would be great but that's all they are. I'd rather lose this and win the CC semi any time.

Mind you, winning both would do nicely!

If you go on the VT there was a thread before the season started which predicted final positions which had Wigan down as 4th to 7th. A certain Yorkshire based journalist on twitter also had us down as 5th.

We are close to where I predicted (3rd) which was more hope than expectation, due to last year's poor performances, a new coach and a number of new players.

Still plenty of time in the season yet to go massive awry but so far I'm happy. If we can compete on Friday and in the semi then even better, although our best chance of silverware is the Cup, so would have to cause an upset.

It wont influence my thoughts if saints so be it,if wigan win so be it .Move on and upwards to the next game.
Love these games

Bateman has played more games at centre that Halsall has had hot dinners.....Bateman at centre 100%

I quite like Bateman as a centre, he’s got his mojo and offload back and offers a threat there whist being able to help out the forwards. Also defensively strong.

Hardaker dropped for disciplinary reasons according to Peet in his press conference. Not ideal.

Can’t wait to wave Hardaker bye bye at the end of the year.

Batty will do a great job at centre

Honestly, this pi$$e$ me off on two fronts.

1. What is it about Zak that does this kinda stuff when things seem to be going well. This week of all weeks, is a slap in the face to everyone that's stuck by him.

2. I agree with tough discipline, but who ultimately loses out by him missing Saints on GF? Zak is leaving anyway and the fans are craving for a win. Fine the guy, make it uncomfortable for him but don't self punish everyone (other players and fans) than needs be. Especially when there's injuries across the backline.

I had a feeling that Hardaker not being in the squad would be disciplinary related but that's a big call from Peet. Fair play to him when he's down on backs anyway and playing the best team in the comp. That's leadership right there. Its about setting standards and if he is big on culture like he says he is then he's given everyone a shot across the bows.

This was always coming when he moved back to Yorkshire. It doesn’t sound too serious but they’ve done the right thing in stamping down on whatever it is. It doesn’t help us in this game but it will have its benefits down the track, whether that be from Hardaker getting the issues sorted or just as a note to other players.