Joel is playing well though, well the way he's taking the ball up has surprised me. He is taking the ball in regular with the intention of breaking the tackle, apart from the obvious that comes from breaking a tackle, even if he doesn't it's taking more effort and sucking in more defenders to put him down,if he can bring the offload in a little more or the short ball to someone running just off him it creates more opportunities. If we can get him doing that at second row running out wide then his centre and winger will see far more ball in open space.

I'd say Joel and Bateman are our best bet for second row based on early season form.

I suspect he'll be playing at loose forward for a few weeks anyway to cover for O'Loughlin's injury. If he stays at Wigan for a while, it may be his long term position.

I think Bateman will become O'Loughlin's successor if he stays at the club long enough. He started off last season in excellent form before fading away a bit at the end of the year. That happens to so many young forwards. It happened to Liam Farrell when he started to hit top form. He started well, faded at the back end of the season and then had an outstanding season last year. Bateman's break for McIlorum's try was brilliant. I nearly fell off my seat at the sidestep.

Tomkins is also looking strong, I just wish we could get him back into the pack soon. It's looking likely that he'll ever seem comfortable at centre. He still struggles to know when to pass and doesn't defend too well in that position, but every time he gets the ball he's a handful. Joel in the pack will make a huge difference.

If O'Loughlin is out then a back 3 of Farrell on the left, Tomkins on the right with Bateman at loose is still very, very good. Take Tomkins out of that and our back up options look considerably weaker.

I thought Connor Farrell was impressive last night when he came on and his big brother will need to improve quickly if he fancies a place in the side. He's been so far below par in pre season and these two games it's not funny.

Agreed. Liam has noticeably failed to impress so far this season - that was a big talking-point on the terraces last night.

Agree that when Sarginson returns and Joel rejoins the pack then Bateman at 2nd row with him.
Liam Farrell to the bench although he was better last night and got through a large amount of work.

The one thing I would put up in his defence is him needing to settle in to playing alongside a new stand off (two in truth with Williabs missing last night). He had a great understanding with Blake Green and whilst he's played with Williams/Powell/Hampshire before, it's not to that extent so it will take time.

He needs to knock the aggressive routine on the head though, it's just not him. Connor Farrell on the other hand looks naturally aggressive.

Didn't think Liam Farrell was too bad last night, just got back to basics, nothing outstanding but still decent

You have to remember too that Bateman was in pieces when he got to Wigan - Bradford overused him.

I had no problem with Wane resting him for most of the back end of last season. It's better for him long term.

Like McIlorum and J. Tomkins, Bateman has that bit of mongrel in him - opposing fans are going to hate him very, very soon as like the other two he's talented, aggressive and doesn't take a backwards step. Cracking player.

I agree with the highlighted bit but wasn't it Wane who said he wasn't agressive enough and needed to step it up?

Really like this guy, eager enthusiastic and doesn't take a backward step. Couple of folk have mentioned 'If'' he is with us long term, I know there was speculation in the off season that he might have been wanting away - thought this had been resolved - is that not the case?

Farrell's was always going to be now that he doesn't have Blake Green to put him into space. He's not big enough to be a battering ram 2nd rower

Bateman's stats were good.

1 try, 1 assist
30 tackles (1st)
7 tackle breaks (1st)
17 carries, 136 metres (1 behind Burgess)
3 clean breaks (1st)

The stats also show how powderpuff most of our props are.

Crosby - 11 carries, 58 metres (5.27 avg.)
Sutton - 11 carries, 55 metres (5.5 avg.)
Patrick - 6 carries, 16 metres (2.67 avg.) - (WHAT?)
Clubb - 8 carries, 73 metres (9.13 avg.) - easily our best prop at the minute.

After watching last nights game this morning I thought that Bateman was outstanding,He runs some very good lines in attack and can certainly put himself about defensively,It was a refreshing change to see him leave all of his usual niggle out of his game and concentrate on what he is very good at

I hope this is the way he continues to play his game as he certainly has the talent to make it to the very top

I thought Patrick was very disappointing - hardly noticed him apart from that horrendous knock-on.