For me Sam has got to stay at full back. He gets more space and time there, and we've all seen what he does with it. I take your point though, it is an option. I'd want a solution that causes the least disruption to the squad. Lockers has played 6 before and he and finch already have a relationship as playmakers. Plus, Tommy's defence is going to be missed and I don't think anyone would argue with what Lockers would do in defence at 6. My first choice option, for the next couple of games at least would be to bring Mellor in and see how he goes.

O'Loughlin to 6 is the only viable option for me.

Losing Leuluai for the cup semi is the only real annoyance, I don't see his absence preventing us from doing well in the upcoming league games.

Don't panic!

We still have the best half back in the comp. And the best full back in the comp. And the best pack in the comp. We'll be ok. More than ok. We are still the team to beat.

Tommy's a great player but even if he's played his last game for Wigan ( ) our season is not over!

COME ON WIGAN!

Tommy's ability will never be matched, he carried 6 pints of lager in one go from the players bar across the pitch to the coach at the stoop post match in 2008 whereas Mark Riddell struggled with 4 pints and Tim Smith dropped one whilst carrying only 3 pints

Put a fantastic upside on a bad situation.

Six pints!!!! I'm not having that. He'd be known as Tommy shovel hands if that were true.

Im not confident SOL could play 6 to a high level for a substantial period of time. Never rated him as a stand off, as a one off game yes but not for 8-10 weeks. Against lesser teams we could get away with it but once we start playing the likes of Wire, Leeds in the semi etc I think he will be targeted and the structure will break down. For me is an out and out thirteen and id rather give one of teh youngsters the chance to gel with Finch over this period. At the end of teh day we dont know what Tommy will come back like, will there be a re-occurance. We need a partnership that could potentially work for the rest of the season in case Tommy takes time to get back to anywhere near that form and time to re-gel with Finch. SOL isnt the solution to that imo.

I completely agree. SOL at 13 is a far more effective weapon against any side than SOL at 6. What's the point in causing disruption to the pack (granted, Farrell could more than fill in for SOL), but I think one of the youngsters should be given a go. Wane's said, if you're performing you'll get a chance. Surely we must have a half back who's performing somewhere.

I agree. For a one off game like Widnes, sticking Lockers in at 6 pretty much picks itself without any real risk (you'd like to think ), this will give us a little bit more time to work out the structure to move forward.

Personally I think Joe Mellor must be given time to prove himself a new contract behind a strong pack.

I don't want to see SOL at 6, mainly because I think finch playing 6 is very important to us. The little bit of extra time he gets sitting back as second receiver allows him a little more time to pick the right passes out IMO.

We generally play split halves so it will make no difference. Finch will be on the left and O'Loughlin on the right and so the play will work around that.

next game up is widnes...chuck a young un in at half and see how he performs, and keep option open to shuffle the side if it goes wrong like the away game.
if it goes ok, then put him in again v bulls

the only way we;ll find out is to try them.

btw..has anyone else worked out that if we lose Micky Mac to injury now we are up the creek without a paddle?

I'm sure the club plays the same moves and similar game plans right through the ranks so any kid coming in should fit in easily enough. It'd just be a question of getting used to the speed of the game. Seeing as Mellor has already played a few first team games at Widnes I think it'd be rude not to give him a go.

The Wigan Observer says Wane is leaving Mellor and Russell where they are and going with Lockers at 6.

Other options mentioned are Powell when he's back or George Williams but you'd think it's too soon tbh. He's going on the academy tour anyway in mid July so I can't see it.