i wouldnt write him off. He was outstanding last season and a major part of our GF run and success. He has been blighted by injury this term but hopefully an injury free pre season will see him firing again. I would rather have him here than up against us thats for sure

I’m a big Greenwood fan and he’ll come again but he’s got a battle on for a spot both this year and even more so next year. The emergence of Smithies, Partington and Byrne has muddied the waters for people like Greenwood, Bullock and Navarrete and that’s great. They’ll all need big pre seasons and to take their opportunities when they come if they want to play.

In regards Greenwood in particular, he needs to show more energy and aggression in defence for me. He is guilty of just waving his arms about at times and not bending his back. He’s a fine attacking talent though.

I suspect 2 out of Greenwood, Byrne, Navarette and French won't make the 17. On current form I'd suggest that Greenwood and Navarette will be the two.

Personally I'd leave out Burgess and Navarette. I was a massive fan of Burgess but since his Aussie adventure he adds little and his once electric pace is now replaced by lacklustre performances and continually slipping over thin air, reckless defence and at times an air of wishing that he was somewhere else. I'd sacrifice any of the three quarter line for the Budgie of old.

I hard place for Lam but infinitely better than earlier in the season when we lots of injuries.

As much as we all want to see it, I don't think French will feature at FB this year

I actually thought I was seeing definite improvement in Greenwood recently. Nice to have a selection headache at this time of the year.

I really hope we win curtesy of the worst video ref decision of all time.
The meltdown on RedVee would be priceless.

All about minutes I suppose. He started against Cas and was pretty good but he then got hardly any game time last week, made only 2 carries and a couple of errors. If Lam doesn’t have a game plan to fit him in the more then 10-15 mins a game it feels a bit of a waste of a bench spot. He’ll play Isa and Farrell for 80 minutes and Lockers and Smithies are sharing the loose forward shirt. Smithies can cover that second row in case if injury also.

I don’t want to see French at FB. Hardaker has been our most consistent player all season and there’s nothing anybody could say that would convince me to move him away from that position.

Honestly couldn't tell you the last time I saw Zak break the line from attack. I highly rate Zak in defence, and in attack in the right structure with the right players, sadly our second phase play out the back isn't there.

This is the perfect game to give French a go. If we lose we're not out of the comp, plus I feel we need to throw something different at Saints to win, French linking up out wide on a second phase could be exactly what we need.

I don't believe anyone who's watched French can say he's looked the part as a 6 currently for us this season. He's looked ineffective and lost in the role...wasted.

Just as a side note; I’m having to drive for the first time in a long time to a Saints away game tomorrow. Anyone know the best places to park?

Try gets sent upstairs as a TRY on field. Ref wants to check the grounding. In the build up, there's a forward pass of about 2-3 metres. VR can't check for forward pass. Grounding is fine. Try awarded. Wigan win it in the last minute.

I usually park next to the YMCA. The car park there is free in the evening and opposite the police station so added security

Jackson St and walk to the ground .
For those who are travelling by car be aware that there are road works on the junction of the East Lancs road/Liverpool road from Ashton .Big hold up there when I went yesterday suggest you go through Billinge and meet the East Lancs there. Even coming from Haydock island you will be held up temporary lights .

Been told that one, think I’ll go there. I’ll be alright re the road works, I live on the dark side these days

Zak has been our most consistent player all year. Smithies has run him close but I’d be stunned if ZH isn’t our player of the year when the awards are dished out.

French is still getting used to being at Wigan and I’ll not be judging him until he’s had a Pre-season in whatever position Lam chooses for him. As for tomorrow being perfect, I disagree. I want us to win tomorrow and don’t buy into the nothing to lose idea. A win tomorrow will be a perfect confidence boost going into a GF. Lose tomorrow and Saints will feel unstoppable at Old Trafford.