So is Sam starting at 1 this weekend?

Je ne comprends pas.

Davies isn't. He's a Leyther

Just seen the squad getting on their coach at the JJB head offices.

Does anyone know why they go from there?

Just a village in Wigan that though ain't it?

Prob more secure for their cars.

I'm really not liking this idea. Fair enough attacking wise it may suit Sam at fullback but no more so than at standoff. However who knows whether he has the physical attributes to cope at fullback ? Does sam have the strength to bring the likes of a Francis Meli down one on one, or even a second rower ? I wouldnt be overly confident. He has the game ready ability and positional sense to clean up chips and grubbers as he does it on numerous occassions at the mo but again would he be reliable under pressure under a high ball ? I wouldnt be overly confident in that either.

IMO these questions shouldnt need answering as he shouldnt be moved.

What set of pivots would people prefer ?....

Fullback ________ Roberts ------- Sam
S/O______________ Sam ------------ Tommy
S/H______________ Finch------------ Finch
Hooker__________ Piggy------------ Piggy
Int/Hooker______ Tommy--------- Micky Mc

I would send Micky out on loan for a year eg Scott Moore at Saints.

The first option is probably the best option long term but will it do any harm to try Sam at FB? It could help develop him as a player.

Trying him there may not do any harm but we shall see if he plays there whether it has a detrimental effect on his play and the team as a whole. I just dont see how it will improve his game tbh alot of the skills he'll need to learn if he is to play fullback would become quite useless when he returns to stand off. Which in that time he could he perfecting his play at standoff. Also if finch is to come in i imagine it will be more benefitial for Sam to learn along side him rather than in the background as he'll be workin on his game at fb.

The two things you mention were the main concerns I had, however with someone like Rads at the club Sam could quite easily be moulded into a FB. He reads the game as good as anyone I have seen and his tackling technique is good for a player of his size. So yes they are concerns but definately something that can be worked on.

The main problem for me is our long kicking game. Once again against Saints it was poor and I lost count how many times Tommy's kick just went straight down the throat of Wellens. Riddell is kicking a bit more but we would benefit from bringing in a half back. Will be interesting to see how we fair on Saturday if Deacon is played in the halves with Sam at FB.

So true, but I thought I would stop wittering on about him.

Phelps can give those killer passes also.

It's one of the reasons he'd be my starting FB

I like Phelps too - pity he got injured when he did as he hasn't got back that early season form. May not get the chance to now, such is our strength in depth/list of options at FB and outside backs.

Unfortunately for Phelps, the main problem is his nationality/background as the number of "foreigners", whatever their classification, gets reduced in the next few years. I would think the ones we get/keep will increasingly be top notch - rather than "useful" squad players that Phelps currently is.

Why when that looks to mean Deacon at 6? Not a good idea IMO.

Dave

Any news on why Pryce isn't playing, I'm presuming he's one of the players Madge was refering to after the match ie not following insructions? Feka's absence is really self expanatory given his level of performance last week.

Pryce has been "selected" for the U20s this weeks along with Feka!

heard mossop playing but Coley not

Any word on who's at full back?

Sam

Bailey at Prop as No Coley

Deacon playing.

6. Sam
24.Goulding
3.Gleeson
4.Carmont
5. Richards
19.Deacon
7. Leuluai
8.Fielden
9. Mcilorum
14. Prescott
29. Tuson
12. Joel
25. Farrell

subs
9. Riddell
16. Bailey
23. Mossop
26. Davies

Is this confirmed?

[urlhttp://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/results/teamlists/25125.html[/url

its 100% confirmed on Sporting Life

Coley stayed home because his baby is due any second now...

He can, but he's not as good as Lockers or Roberts. Pat Richards filled in very well too.

The trouble with Phelps is not really that it's his lack of pace and acceleration for a fullback which is pretty poor. Richards and Roberts are both miles quicker and so is Sam Tomkins.

He's not been offered another contract btw.