Two good posts there from SFW and The Reaper

Just had a look at the hanidcap for Friday. Wigan are -10. I wonder when the last time was that Wigan were -10 against Saints. The bookies aren't usually far off.

As bad as we were we are still perfectly capable of defending well for a full game. The price for Wigan to win is buying money barring a couple of red cards but we are rarely blown out of the water.

I agree with Stu and would be very surprised if we didn't win this one with some to spare. This current Wigan team is simply better than Saints. That's not opinion but is supported by the facts. A team that holds every available trophy, has already pouched the 2 available this year and sits 4 points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand is clearly the best in the league.

However, this is a derby and there are numerous examples of both sides turning form on its head so I certainly won't be counting any chickens just yet. Bring it on!

Our record in the games in and around us (ie Top 5) since Wellens took over is appalling, something like 4 wins out of 15 with one of those being Good Friday where we didn't look like scoring until the red card. This is notoriously a game you either look forward to or dread and I'm afraid I'm the latter this week.

The disciplinary have decided to even things up.

Honestly, I absolutely despise the lot of them.

Won't let me quote you but O Neill not playing won't be the difference between a Wigan win or not.

We're all out of hookers though Stu. Both Leeming and Forber injured and O'Neil banned (absolute joke of a decision). Hooker is such a pivotal position that it will definitely even things up even if it doesn't prove to be the difference between a win and a loss.

I thought the sinbinning was ridiculous but to ban him as well it utter b*****ks

Farrimond to 9, Keighran to 6, Eckersley to 3 would be my guess.

The decision to sin-bin O'Neill was bad enough, but the ban is absolutely stupid. To top it all off, Mike Cooper has been given a £250 fine for being knocked-out by Mulhern's head. Honestly, this disciplinary panel are an absolute farce. How anyone can say Wigan are favoured by them is beyond me.

O'Neill's suspension is bonkers.

We could go Keighran to hooker and Eckersley in for a little less disruption also, probably my favourite choice. I would rather not split up Farrimond and Smith if that is what we are looking at running until Field returns. I think any uncertainty regarding French still being effective for us at fullback can be put to bed now so as long as Farrimond is performing and confident in himself, keeping them 2 together makes the most sense for us.

Other option would be next cab off the hooker rank, would that be our academy hooker? Not sure who that would be and how ready they would be for what would be a huge step up.

No appeal for O’Neill so he’s out.

He’s a massive blow given the other hookers are out.

My main priority for a 9 is them holding up defensively in the middle of the field so I’d consider Farrell there. With Walters starting back row. Simple job of tackling everything that moves and giving the ball to Smith/Farrimond and French.

Keighrans another option but not sure how he’d hold up defensively.

Hampshire could spell there too.

Farrell is probably the best option, we know he'll have no issues defending and can do the 80, all he needs to concentrate on is getting the ball out of dummy half asap

O'Neill's is about as clear a ban as you are likely to find if you simply apply the rules. Legs over the horizontal in the execution of a tackle.