If Wane can continue to get this group of talented players playing at that level of intensity on a consistent basis, the future both short and long term is very bright.

Obviously the immediate concern is that availability of players. When racking up the injuries and potential/probable suspensions I'm struggling to come up with 17 available players for our next game from our first team squad list of 37.

Likely to be unavailable:

Charnley
Thornley
Green
Flower
Farrell
Clubb
O'Loughlin
Pettybourne
James
Hampshire (injuries)
Mcilorum
Dudson
Crosby (suspension)
Tomkins
Hopkins
Greenwood
Lloyd (on loan)

Add the fact that Taylor, Williams and Sutton are playing injured and its a staggering list.

Yes apparently Pettybourne is the only who has a chance of recovering for Thursday.

I did say potential/probable suspensions. Looking at it objectively, I would consider it likely that Mcilorum, Dudson & Crosby will all be banned.

Pettybourne likely to be back next week apparently, would expect a few more from that list to be playing!

With regards to Micky Mac, there was nowt in that tackle in my opinion.
Dudson maybe, he did similar a few weeks back. Crosby, would depend on his history...possibly a warning - maybe one game.

Quick mentions to a couple of players - I'm very impressed with the physical and mental toughness of Sarginson. I knew he was skilful but terrific to see him getting so stuck in and responding well to mistakes (big hit and offload to Burgess after a simple knock on). Also, probably the best game Dudson has had - if he ran his weight consistently he could be good for us.

I agree Mcilorum is the least likely - it looked shoulder first and it was more the circumstances beforehand which led to it all kicking off.

Dudson's was a cheap, late shot although not particularly vicious - I'd guess at one game for that. Crosby's throw was unnecessary and there will rightly be a focus on eradicating those types of tackles given the horrible injury suffered by Mckinnon in the NRL.

one thing about last night, those on the sidelines injured certainly know that they won't be walking straight back into the team when fit. There is now competition for spots in the 17 and anyone who drops off in performance know they can and will be replaced in the future

based on worst case scenarios then, what kind of team will we have out on Thu ?

(keeping as much continuity as possible)
Bowen
Burgess, Sarginson, Gelling, Manfredi
Powell, Smith
Taylor, Williams, Pettybourne
Bateman, Hughes,
Burke

Replacements: Goulding, C Farrell, Sutton, Austin

It's unfortunate that Hampshire is injured with Green now out but that just means Sam Powell gets first stab at it. A makeshift backline of

Bowen
Sarginson
Goulding
Gelling
Burgess
Powell
Smith

is still pretty decent. The forwards is a different matter with the sheer number missing, but the likes of Sutton, Austin, Lever, Pugsley and Connor Farrell will all be chomping at the bit for some first team action. Burke played for Workington today and Pettybourne isn't too far off so that will help. We've got a tough run of games over the next few weeks, but yesterday's game has put us in a decent position for a top 4 finish, and hopefully we get some bodies back for the back-to-back Cas games.

Driving in to manchester, I would have been happy to keep within 10 points of Leeds, driving back out I would have been unhappy if we had lost.
the way we got stuck into Leeds yesterday and last week against Hull everyone is stepping up and doing their job well.
The club seem to have the structure and SW seems to get the best from whoever he puts on the park.
Great times.

I honestly feel that our destiny is in our own hands, we have the ability to turn it on when we need to [ in big games ], Wigan will continue to lose the odd game here and there , but when it matters we have the ability to step up a level..

We are getting the nastyness back.

Its all building up nicely for the Cas game.

Agree, he is yet another great prospect.

I also agree with the poster who said Crosby did very well.

Dudson's was just so stupid and he deserves a game imo. It is not the first time he has done a silly challenge like that and it will, and has in the past, cost us dear.