Yep should have been Phelps on the evidence I've witnessed but I'm not surprised it's Roberts.

If that is true I'd agree with you. Not keen on the idea put forward by Nogga either of putting Roberts on the wing and Richards at f/b.

As Sam must move to 6 we need a f/b and Madge should have picked who he sees best for that job out of Phelps and Roberts, simple as that IMO but obviously taking fitness into account.

If Roberts is not 100% and Phepls is fit, dare I say it but this would be a bit of a Noble-esque type selection.

Dave

I agree and am assuming Roberts is indeed 100% fit. Based on that assumption my major worry is whether or not MM has learned from his previous mistakes with the bench.

That's the key, I think. Phelps has been playing better, but at #6 - I don't think he's good enough defensively at fullback. The options then become Sam@1, Phelps @6 or Roberts/Pat@1, Sam@6. I like option 2 better.

Let's not all jump the gun and start accusing Madge of poor team selection before the teams even taken to the field. My understanding is Amos is back to near full fitness but is clearly lacking in confidence, where as Phelps seems to suffer an injury every time he takes to the field for the U20's. So neither are in a great position to play in my eye's.

Personally I'd have gone with a real outside bet and put either Charnley or Marsh at FB. Not the safest option perhaps but it's what I'd have gone with. Or failing that I'd have put Pat to FB and either of the youngsters in his wing position, a safe option at least.

Isn't there a contradiction here? Other feel Phelps should be in, you feel Charnley or Marsh should be in, I'm happy if Roberts is 100% but am concerned about who fills the bench. Aren't we all exercising the same right/ expressing the same amount of concern re team selection?

Pat
Goulding
Gleeson
Carmont
Roberts
Sam
Tommy
Fielden
Pig
Coley
Joel
Farrell
Lockers

Feka
Prescott
MacIlorum
Hansen

With Amos shifting to fullback during some attacks to keep the defence guessing

Yeah maybe. It won't be the first time I've contradicted myself, and likely won't be the last.

All I'm saying is Madge and his staff work work with the players day in day out and therefore have a far better understanding of what will and won't work. If after the match their team selection was clearly wrong then it'll deserve the scrutiny it'll no doubt receive. But to try and second guess what Madge will do is wrong in my eye's. The only one's who I can see could have a grievance would be those who thought either Phelps or Charnley would be in with a shout of team selection, purely because they aren't in the squad.

I think we'll be able to recall Deacon should he be fit, but we have to work on the assumption he will miss out.

I can't comment on whether it should have been Phelps or Roberts to replace Deacon based on form but I will say this, Phelps brings us more options i.e. he could have played full back or stand off, and has an okay kicking game (though far from brilliant) and I also see Phelps as a safer option in that he's more consistent. Roberts is a confidence player and if he doesn't have much, he could have a shocker, where as I think Phelps would be steady.

I'm also of the opinion that we should do as least disruption to the team as possible when replacing Deacon, so given the squad we've announced I'd go with Sam at 6 and Roberts at full back, leaving Richards on the wing. We've enough outside back options to suggest that if Roberts wasn't 100% fit, he wouldn't be selected, and his best performances in a Wigan shirt have come at 1, and Pat is undoubtedly better outside Carmont, so that's the way it should stay.

Tuson and either Davies or Prescott to miss out for me, probably Davies since Maguire seems relecutant to give him a full run out whenever he is selected, and it is essential we have 4 fully charged props for the rest of the play off compaign. Having calmed down a little from Sunday, I'd also start Joel, hopefully gifting Leeds 2 points that ultimately won them the game will make him see he needs to be a lot smater and more disciplined.

I'd also start Hansen, Fielden and Coley in the pack too in the hopes of getting off to an absolute flier, and trying to kill some of KR's enthusiasm and confidence.

To summarise then:

Roberts
Goulding
Gleeson
Carmont
Richards
S Tomkins
Leuluai
Fielden
Riddell
Coley
J Tomkins
Hansen
O'Loughlin

McIlorum
Farrell
Paleaaesina
Prescott

I like that team

For me this just confirms Roberts is here next season and Phelps is not.

If we don't sign a top class hooker then Phelps will be here next season. IMO.

As far as I know nothing has been officially sorted with him, and he hasn't had a "chance" in the first team for a long time now. I we aren't going to play him there is no point in having him in the squad at his age and on the quota.

If he isn't going to figure for us I would rather let him go and play somewhere else in SL, and leave our options open.

That said, I'm happy if we keep him and find a spot for him.

As for this 19, I don't really want to see Pat at fullback, he is wasted there. Roberts or Sam.

You could still make a late change to the 19 like we did last week if one of your players is found to not be 100%.