I think Mickey Mac will be in the 17. Goulding and O'Carroll to miss out.

That's what I mean, does the fact the coaches want a team like that mean that an impact player like Feka has no place in the team? Sounds obvious I know, but the fact he has lost weight seems to have limited the metres he is making. Personally, I used to hate him coming on last year because he could completely change the momentum of a game with a couple of runs?

There was a similar debate on the Leeds board about Eastwood in the off season as to whether or not he was fit and the shape he was in etc. but having watched him, it doesn't seem to make much difference. You obviously want players in tip top shape playing the maximum amount of minutes but I think sometimes an impact player should be looked at as just that, may only play 30-35 minutes in a game but will change things for you. A shame really, was really looking forward to seeing him in action on Friday to seewhether or not the weight loss had made a negative or positive impact.

I think you'll be right. McIlorum might just turn out to be the kind of hooker that Madge really likes, he's superb in defense, plus he hit's really hard and is able to do long stretches at 9. Hopefully under Madge, McIlorum can add to his offensive capabilities, which while ok could do with a little attention if he's to become a permanent fixture at 9 for us.

Totally agree with this and will now hopefully put Riddell under pressure.

Also the new regime seem to think the same as me about feka - He just ain't good enough.

Goulding and Bailey to miss out for me.

The main game-changing moment I remember from him last year was when he came on against Warrington in the semi, and left a gap in the middle for them to run through (more than once).

You're certainly right about the momentum switching at that moment. It switched from us to them.

I know it wasn't totally Feka's fault. It memory serves, Phil Bailey was injured at roughly the same moment, so Fielden went off and Bailey went off - two tacklers - and in return we got the non-tackling Feka. Another cracking interchange from Nobby. So no, it wasn't entirely Feka's fault, but bearing that in mind, if the new coaches want a Feka to be a soldier capable of putting his body on the line, rather than a 10-minute luxury, then I'm inclined to go along with them.

Eastwood, Peacock, Donald, Ablett and Watkins all out so we have got a few excuses

But yeah, better team than expected, although Sinfield, Buderus and Hall are all 50/50 by the sounds of things. Which would of course change the Leeds line up immensely. Fingers crossed though.

Does anyone else remember a cracking comeback from Vicki on this forum a few years back when during the same discussion as this she retorted that Leeds had more players in prison than on the physio's bench - and that was the truth

Word on the street is delaney pulled up in training yesterday! And limped off not to be seen again. We might have what looks like a good squad but more than a few are playing with injuries.

I still fancy a Leeds win if delaney rumours turn out to be just that and hall, beds and sini are good to go!

I'd go:

FB 2 Roberts
RW 22 Ainscough
RC 3 Gleeson
LC 24 Goulding
LW 5 Richards
SO 6 Sam
SH 7 Leuluai
P 8 Fielden
H 9 Riddell
P 19 Prescott
SR 11 Hansen
SR 12 Joel
LF 13 O'Loughlin

S 1 Phelps
S 10 Coley
S 21 O'Carroll
S 23 Mossop

but as Ainscough's not been recalled I'd put McIllorum on the bench with Phelps at centre and Goulding out wide.

Carmont & Bailey to miss out for me.

As am I.

As you aren't trolling, could you please share the great insight and wisdom with us lesser mortals as to what leads you to believe this will happen to Wigan? Could it be because Leeds have started slowly? As I remember, you weren't suggesting this when Leeds started well last year.