I think it is not just TL at 9 that may be attractive to Noble as an option but that he also wants to play both Lockers and J Tomkins.

The only way he can so that is move Lockers to 6 , Smith to 7, TL to 9 ( and Riddell to the bench).

If I am right he could do this by dropping Bailey and moving Lockers to 2nd row. With 39 tackles in the last game that would be tough on Bailey but that is the best choice Noble has if he wants to play both Lockers and J Tomkins IMO.

If on the other hand, it is just that TL is preferred as second hooker over McIllorum then Noble should bite the bullet and put TL on the bench as replacement hooker and play Smith at 7 and Sam T at 6 from the off.

I have my doubts we will ever see Smith at 7 and Sam T at 6 though as Smith is not a good defender and I reckon Noble thinks Sam T is too small to be a good defender as well.

Dave

Sam does tackle well above his weight though in Academy, although I accept SL is a far cry from Academy RL. What about putting one of our better defenders ie. Lockers etc inside him?

I like the idea of Smith/Tomkins starting HB but I don't think Tomkins should be thrown in as a panic by Noble, ST already has a tremendous amount of expectation and as a side effect of that, pressurisation from the fans to perform and to lift the team, I have no doubts whatsoever he has the capability and the ability to do so but ST should be brought into the first team in less pressure situations. Hull FC is too much of an important game for Wigan IMHO.

Glad to see that McIlorum is in the squad but i wouldn't expect him to be played. It's probably abit of a token gesture from Noble after the flack he recieved last weekend for not having a back up half/hooker on the bench.

I hope Lenagan takes matters into his own hands and offers Sam Tomkins to a few superleague clubs on loan to try and get the lad some experience.........he isn't going to get that here under Noble.

That's what I'd think is the best option for us to swith to once Riddell grafted with the forwards.

Remember how we scored our only try on Sunday? Tim Smith's short ball to O'Loughlin with J. Tomkins supporting.

In regards to Bailey, we had Hansen on the bench whom we know can do just as good if not better defensive display than Bailey, hence why I'd drop him and start Hansen who was sat on the bench for most the game and was waste of a sub.

How is it possible to lose a game in the fashion we did, and the only change being a forced one because the player got banned?

It's ridiculous. What's the point in having a large squad with competition for places, if you're not going to take advantage of it??

Because it was the first game and to change everything round could have a more detrimental than advantageous effect?

I would have wanted probably one more change (Prescott for Coley) but other than that I'm happy with the squad selection and just hope the players perform differently.

That was the only other change I would have made.

Hopefully it may still happen.

Quite.

Now if he keeps picking the same squad and we keep getting performances like we did on Sunday, THEN I think we'd need to question why nothing was changing.

Although if the Noble philosophy was true that early season matches are not important then this would be the best time to make changes

I do not agree with this but I am trying to apply logic to Noble's Law Of RL

You think he uses logic??

There is enough quality in the team to win against Hull - although it is a shame not to see sam in the team.

I've not seen how well sam plays in defence but I'm wondering whether Noble thinks having Sam and Tim at 6&7 will prove too much of a weakness in defence? People who watch the reserves will have a better idea than me on this.

The big thing for me is whether we work as a team, improve ball control and work harder off the ball with more options from dummy half. If we do that we will have a chance regardless of a couple of contentious selections.

However I will be suprised if both O'Carroll and Prescott aren't in the team at the expense of Coley.

Noble does also have to sort out the replacement hooker role - moving Sean to SO is not a solution for the rest of the season.

Roberts
Phelps
Goulding
Carmont
Richards
Smith
Leuluai
Fielden
Riddell
Paleaaesina
Hock
Bailey
O'Loughlin

J. Tomkins
Hansen
McIlorum
O'Carroll


Coley has to be dropped a message has to be sent out letting players know performances that shocking are not allowed. Neeeeeeeeeeed McIlorum on the bench that stupid music chairs they did against an under strength wakefield side proved to be a thorn in the side.