I didn't say he should. I said I would like him too.

After his efforts in 2006, and even 2007 which he has admitted was a very tough time for him personally I would like us to give him the best send off possible and that is winning at Old Trafford.

CP I agree with what you say, and perhaps I was being a little mischievous.

BUT with a fully fit squad I would have Fielden as ONE of the four props. He was blowing out of his backside for the last few minutes of his two spells in the U20's game, but I expect Wane wants a closer look at him in a "real" game.

I hope he goes well. Dudson concerns me in that he tires easily and then starts to give daft penalties, something we can't afford in big games.

Our strongest pack would have Lima and Mossop as the first two props. Lauaki as a third I think requires another big strong forward as 4th prop because as I've said a few times before he doesn't really create a strong pack but he plays very well as part of one. Fielden certainly fits the bill as that big 4th choice prop who could really help create a dominant front row.

Dudson can also do that and he's a bit hard to understand. His games for the under 20's this year have been quite poor in my opinion. He looked like a real liability. Yet for the first team he actually did incredibly well and very rarely missed a tackle or conceded penalties. I think with him there's perhaps the risk that if he's not 100% he'll revert to the Dudson that turned out for the under 20's.

Flower and Crosby for me don't add any real strength to the pack, especially if Lauaki and Farrell are in the squad because I just think the forwards become too lightweight and lacking in any real impact.

So for me, our strongest pack going into the playoffs would have one of Dudson or Fielden in it, so Friday provides a good chance for them to stake their claim and I think that's exactly why Wane wants to give them both an opportunity before the playoffs start.

Just too late in the season for Fielden to have any chance of finding any kind of match-fitness for this season.

If he has fully recovered from his injuries and after a couple of years rest for his body to recover then he will turn out to be a top player for which ever clubs he's at next season.

However, unfortunately, I fear that too much rugby at a young age has meant that his body is shot and he will be unable to string a run of games together in which to find his timing and form. A great shame as he was a great prop at his peak with Bradford.

Fielden could come out on Friday and be totally lost and a liability and if he is then he will be doing a fair old impression of some of our other props recent displays so if nothing else he'll be another body to throw in the mix.

As it is I expect him to come out and go pretty well whilst blowing out of his backside and he'll show enough to put pressure on our 3rd and 4th choice props(Flower and Lauaki as it stands imo). If he does that hopefully that will fire some competition and in turn rub off on Lima and in particular Mossop who needs a kick in the pants.

Dudson is another who could do the same. We're in a no lose position playing these two on Friday imo.

It's a win-win as far as Wigan are concerned, and with zero risk.

If he fails, then he fails. If he comes through then what a fantastic boost to our flagging front row.

Your probably right, although it would be nice for him to prove you and most other people on here wrong.

This.

because the hub cap is already wrapped up , so it gives Wane the option of looking at players on the comeback trail, and resting players at the same time.

im glad hes coach and not you

Makes sense to give Fielden a run out. Despite it being a Saints derby, the game in effect is a nothing match.
A fit effect Fielden is something which will enhance the team, lets see if that's what we've got.

Our front row isn't all that, Wire always totally dominate us. Mossop must receive an award for the most unimproved player this year after starting with so much vigor has really stopped improving. Lima has been as good as always-but he's off. Prescott can go for me, always injured, often loses the ball on impact, all in all-not good enough.
Eric, after a controversial signing is looking determined and full of fight. For me, if Fielden can find his form he'd be in.

Dudson is the one to watch, was excellent before he was injured
Flower also has bags of potential as a hard working prop or 13.

Its the same situation where Saints found themselves with Paul Sculthorpe. Sculthorpe along with Farrell the best Loose Forwards in the British game in the Super League Era. Sculthorpe found himself constantly injured for the best part of 3 years and never came back the same player. Infact he became a passenger apart from one great performance against Brisbane Broncos in 2007. Im afraid to say Fielden has become the same as Sculthorpe after years of constant hammering and no doubt playing 80 minutes week in week out for Bradford never helped him infact its shortenend his career. My arguement is why the hell should Fielden get the chance to stake a claim for a position in the Wigan side when your other props have done the hardwork and youve finished top? If I was one of the props dropped I would be seriously p****d off.

No Wigan vs Saints game is a nothing match. Saints need to win to finish 3rd and Im sure Wigan will be wanting to stop Saints from achieving that.

Good, that is exactly what is required as some props in the current team need a heavy kick up the booty to be reminded that they need to perform. Over the last couple of months how many of the Wigan front row have performed to a good standard........

After seeing many posters saying this over the last 3 months or so and always wanting to respond I've finally Bit!

You do realise that he's played 28/29/30 games a season for the last 3 season out of a maximum of 33/34/35 he could have played!
That means he's missed on average about 5 games per year over the full season for the last 3 seasons which any of those may/may not have been down to injury i.e he may have been rested/rotated for some of these?

He's had a Bad trot this year (I put a lot of it down to him missing pre-season due to the off season operation he had) no doubt, but hardly reson to get rid IMO!

I understand if people want to get rid if they don't rate him, but basing it on 1 bad season in terms of injuries I think is a bit OT.

Good luck to him