As things stand, the game goes ahead, but another inspection tomorrow morning. They’ve had portable heaters on the pitch as well as the undersoil heating.

Its not the pitch thats going to beat us up here being at the game. It's going to be the roads (M6 , M74 both closed tonight) and trains .

If we don't make it guys cheer the team on to a win and enjoy the game.

Regards , EW

Really hope you make it. Some of the whingeing on t'other site is embarrassing to you guys.

The only time I recollect the undersoil heating at Central Park not working is when people forgot to turn it on.

Why is it whinging if people choose not to go? Can’t force people to sit in the cold simple as that,for me I fail to see why it’s being played on a Friday surely this one was a prime game to be on a Sunday but that’s just me.

As for your original comment I’ll not criticise anyone for their choices in life it’s called free will.

big difference between being an athlete and being fit. His size, body type and frame shows how much of an athlete he is. I agree his fitness isn't where I'd want it to be (especially recently coming off a pre-season) but I still think he'd make a good hard running back rower. Additionally to this, the SR position requires a different type of fitness, hence why they spell props more regularly.

I think transport in the borough is ok.

I work near Widnes and got into work ok today, in fact it was better than normal.

Lets not worry about the M74...

Game on, Brrrrrrr

I was due in Edinburgh on Tues for a 2 night stay, but for once took advice from the weather forecasts, i had booked to be back for the game so it worked out ok in the end. I have had updates from Virgin and no trains or replacement buses running yesterday or today.

Couldn't make the game (a real rarity for me!) as no one I go with would brave the weather. Thoughts on the game from those who went appreciated! Was surprised Navarette didn't get a crack after Wane's comments midweek, how did Sutton and Tautai get on?

Sutton much improved but Tautai non existent I felt. The team started as they did last week but managed to pull it out the fire with some urgency in the 2nd half.

The good

Bateman ain’t a centre but he’s a fine player and we’ll miss him.

Tom Davies and Joe Burgess worked hard.

Flower and Clubb did pretty well again.

Willie Isa had his best game of the season and added some energy in the middle.

The bad

The Tomkins, Powell, Williams, Leuluai and Escare switcharoo is starting to look confused and pointless.

Gildart is bang out of form.

Williams had a shocker and really needs to simplify things.

I’m backing off typing this but I need to. Sean O'Loughlin looked slow and lacking in any sort of impact around the middle. Unlike him he seemed more interested in arguing with the referee then trying to inspire the team.


Overall a wins a win but there’s plenty to work on.

Yep I agree entirely , the switcheroo as you call it is disrupting any momentum that we have. I thought Davies was superb tonight and Burgess looked to be his old self, I’m still not sure how Sutton got MOM though and as you said Williams had a shocker.... again.
Well done to the fans that turned out tonight, it was colder than the mother in laws affection out there.

Both wingers played a huge part in getting us back in the game. They both held nothing back and constantly tested the inside defence of Widnes. That’s really pleasing in regards to Burgess because he’s been lacking in work rate at times and I’ve questioned his desire to do the tough stuff but he turned up tonight. He’s proof of what a few weeks out the team can do.

There are a few other players either close to or already at the point of needing some time out of the side. I’d say Tautai has more then reached that point and his place must go to Navarette next week. I don’t think Gildart is a million miles at the back of him but a lack of options may save him. I wouldn’t go as far as to say Williams is in need of dropping just yet but he’s certainly needs to be told to simplify things and just keep the ball moving at points rather then kicking or shuffling back on the inside. He’s just putting no doubt in the oppositions mind because they’re expecting the risk play every single time.

Well I am not long back form the match and what a strange game. The first half form Wigan was utter garbage right down there with some of the worst of last season. The two penalties given away right in front of the sticks were stupidity personified and the attack was as clueless and as error strewn as anything we saw last season.

The the next 40 minutes we all of a sudden we are far more direct and start running lines reminiscent of the Madge ers. There were even dummy runners! Faz and Sam's try were great to watch but one bit of skill I really enjoyed was Budgie picking that ball up off the deck to stop a Widnes penalty finding touch. For those who could not make the match and have Wigan TV I hope it makes the highlights. Just a bit of skill that makes you smile.

As to player performances/observations. The half back sub thing really needs to be ditched. Now. No, Bateman isn't a centre but he is a better one than Sarge and caused them lots of problems in the 2nd half and put Davis away with passes more than once. Joel Tomkins had a very good game and tackled everything that moved. Lockers decided him and the ref were going to discuss Brexit, the Syrian crisis and everything else he spent so much time in his ear. Not without reason I might add but I wonder if Wane taking him off about 14 mins form the end was to stop him getting sent off. The ref was none too impressed (nor impressive as a ref..).

It's two points in the bag and if we can play 80 like the last 40 we will be OK but if we let better teams in as we did in the first 40 we won't.

My main thought is that Gildart's agent needs to add an extra line to his application to Aus:

'He plays a lot better in warm weather. Honest.'