Because people pick teams on the players they like not the best players for the job. Its a big problem on here with people. Sarginson and Powell are this years scapegoats. We will forget there probly the 2 hardest workers in the side and just jump on the band wagon of slagging them off but sing tony clubbs name cos it fits into a song(forget the 5 minute spells he plays in).

Is Hamlin injured???

I agree for what it's worth. Sarge was strong at the back end of the season, and overall, minus a few errors, has been good this season, same for Powell who gets through a mountain of work per game. He's no 'razzle dazzle' but contributes massively in a game.

Hardaker
Davies
Gildart
Sarge
Marshall
Williams
Sammut
Flower
Powell
Clubb
Isa
Greenwood
SOL

Bullock
Bryne
Leaulai
Hamlin

Agree with most of what NSW has selected. I'd take out Clubb who has stitches in his mouth and a metal plate in his face, to be replaced by Tautai. I'd have Escare on the bench instead of Tommy. We desperately need his pace up the middle.

That facial injury Clubb sustained at Saints has probably been over looked a little when discussing his lack of form tbh. I’ve been somebody who’s called out his poor performances but when you think the biggest attribute he possesses is his ability to get off the line and smash people, you can understand why he looks a bit tentative at the minute.

He isn’t running or defending which much vigour and I guess that’s a mental thing as much as anything. I’d probably play him as it’s the only way he’s going to build confidence in it.

Is there any place in Wigan that I can get a good pie from on a Sunday afternoon?

"when in Rome" and all that.

Galloways is the best place. Meat and Potato from their are like heaven

I am a big admirer of Sam Powell and his commitment to the club. His workrate and enthusiasm should be the benchmark that all of the other squad members need to aspire to.

However, as everyone knows he has shortcomings to his game, which I feel as an attacking force is holding us back, and I feel the time has now arrived for AL to address this issue. We need more speed, accuracy and skill around the ruck and Sam is unfortunately not the man to deliver this.

I think it is time to try something different, we need Tommy to start at 9, with JS slotting in at half back to improve our kicking game and give us some element of control during games. Tommy should play for 50 minutes. then bring Morgan on for the last 30 minutes at hooker when the opposition big guys are getting gassed.

I have no fears re Morgan’s defence, I can’t recall ever seeing him miss a tackle when someone is running straight at him, and the benefits of his speed off the mark, eye for a gap, and ability to support the ball carrier need to be utilised more. He will not be getting a game at full back because of Zak, and he is not particularly effective as a half.

These two options give us a better running, kicking and support game from dummy half and I don’t feel there will be a lack of speed of service from the PTB. This will allow us to get the ball wider quicker.

I would also like to see Gabe given a fair crack at right Second Row in place of Faz, he has good basic speed, he is strong going forward and his defence is good. It will be interesting to see how much damage he could cause running on the edge of the ruck instead of straight up the middle.

Also sooner or later Sammy Kibula needs to be given a chance to see if he can hack it at SL level. If he can make the step up he would improve the teams skill level massively, and provide a different option through the middle that I don’t think any other team in SL possess, rather than a head down and barge prop. As our props other than Ben and Joe are not performing up to scratch at the moment, maybe if not now, it will soon be time to take a punt on him.

Finally I don’t think anyone should give up on Gilly yet, he has not had a great start to the season, but he is playing out of position. He is class, and possesses a lot of skill and pace, but if he continues to struggle, Hankinson needs to be given a chance on the right with Gilly and Sarge battling it out for the left centre spot.

I think overall we will go well this season, but with a few tweeks we could be a whole lot better.

Good points all round bp.

Agreed. It will be interesting to see if Kibula can hack it at SL level. If he can, we could have a powerful weapon in our hands.

-Just for factual reference, you say Powell's attack is holding us back, yet last season we went undefeated in the playoffs, won the gf and was the second highest scoring club?
-You want to replace Powell with Escare, when the las time Escare made half the tackles Powell makes? Surely having someone making 50 plus tackles per game offers a lot to our team? Don't you think that would be missed?