Higginson did o.k.
He got "found out" a bit defensively, but that was only to be expected because of his inexperience. Watch Ratchfords try. Higginson has his hand on Ratchford as he passed the ball to Penny. Higginson should have carried on with the tackle thus stopping Ratchford from backing up and collecting the return pass to score.

I could be wrong but I don't sense Wane has brought Isa to the club as anything over then a forward to play around the middle. I'd imagine he'll go Bateman there with Joel Tomkins, Farrell and Isa forming the back row.

I don't think the sides anywhere near threatening enough with Tierney at full back. We play a game that revolves around a full back getting around the field and creating openings for others and he's yet to come close to doing that. Had he been at full back Friday we'd have had two less trys for starters. That isn't to bag him, he's just not that sort of full back but when we're likely to have the least creative halfback pairing in the history of superleague at 6 and 7 in Gregson and Smith we can't stick anyone bar Sarginson at full back IMO.

I was a bit worried about something Wane said on the radio before the Warrington game. It was along the lines that we will have a look at some youngsters and then if they do not play well they will not play again. At the moment we are bringing youngsters into a weakened team because of injuries. That is never the best situation to be thrown into. Last year we got rid of Lever without seeing him in the first team. I wonder if players like that could benefit from being brought into a strong team. What about an extra space on the bench for a first year pro? This would help teams to bring youngsters through when it was not backs to the wall.

They've no choice but to bring them in to a weakened side currently. That comment does seem a strange one but I think Wigan breed a tough culture of youngsters having to swim and not sink in the first team regardless of circumstance and that has stood them in good stead so far.

It'll be interesting to see what they do with team selection at the weekend. If Lockers is out then who'll go in at 6? I'd be tempted to get Powell in there rather then Gregson and give Waterworth another crack at hooker.

What happened to Jamie Doran? Is he still around?

He's playing at Workington after his Wigan contract ended.

Ta. So, of the young halves, that just leaves Shorrocks, and he's injured?

There are some good players around who only mature later in life. Brown is a good example. When our backs are to the wall we have no choice but to promote but the structures below the first team are so haphazard that progress is a bit of a lottery. It probably also means that good young prospects are lost to the game when alternative career paths offer more stability. At least the old A team route allowed some lads to play semi pro within our club structure.

I agree that Gregson looks likely to step up to regular first team duties.

Once again Gregson seems to be one of those players who falls between two stools, standoff or second row.
Is he to small for second row and by that I mean even if he fills out he is still by height small in stature or is he creative enough to play halfback on a permanent basis?.
As other fans have said he showed great potential against Wire when he came on in the second half.
Maybe if he shows a good passing game it is time to have a think about what Levrier said the other day, it may be worth a shout trying him at hooker whilst MM is out.

I seem to remember Gregson playing in most positions in the u19s. He doesn't seem precious about where he plays but I hope that someone is looking at the situation because he looks useful. I know that "try him at hooker/centre/fullback" is often the cry when someone doesn't seem to fit at their original position or if he is too similar to another player in build or style but in the case of Gregson it may well be a while before he settles down into a single role. One problem is that with so many injuries we expect too much of the young lads. In previous years he could have expected to be spending some time in division one learning his best position.

I always worry when a player doesnt have a specialist position, hints at someone who will become a jack of all trades and a master of none.

Someone like Sam Panapa, for example...?

Hmm, maybe the exception rather than the rule? That was over 20 years ago.

We have a glaring problem at stand off. Williams and Shorrocks out, Lockers struggling and playing out of position. Powell having to play at 9.

Time to recall Hampshire. Career long stand off and now's the time to give him an extended run there in the first team. Time to do it now before we start losing matches.

If there is a recall clause in the loan deal the there's just no excuse for him not returning to Wigan. A quality stand off if what we need desperately, time Hampshire was given his chance.