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.

Faz to Hooker & Mickey Mac to 6, Lockers stays where he is

Well, I do have confidence that Waney knows the players capabilities and readiness best, though I'd have preferred to have seen Mellor get a shot.

When is Sam Powell due back from his injury?

I have MASSIVE doubts Lockers can get the team going.

He's a world class 13 but I don't think he's a HB.

He said a couple of weeks on twitter last week but then would need at least 3 games in the 20s for me

I'm not that worried about playing O'Loughlin in the halves. He's done alright there a few times before and when it comes to passing he's probably better than Leuluai. He might not be a massive threat running with the ball but Leuluai hasn't been running with the ball as much this year.

The big issue is the loss of Leuluai's kicking. I can't believe I'm saying this given how bad his kicking was last year but he's made a huge improvement with his kicking and it means one less option with the boot. O'Loughlin used to be able to put in some decent kicks but given how little he's kicked over the last few years he's become a bit erratic.

Defensively though he should be just as good as Tommy and one of the benefits of O'Loughlin in the halves is the cut out passes that he can send out to the winger.

Tommy has a top passing game.

He doesn't throw the cut out passes because we play a different style of play to that.

I've seen Tommy throw some truly fantastic passes in his time at Wigan.

At no point did I say Tommy wasn't a good passer. He is. I said I think O'Loughlin is better. Before Finch came he was probably the best at the club.

Gelling to full back sam to stand off pick any winger you like, simples !

ive said it b4, SOL for a substantial period of time is not the answer. We need to look at Mellor or Powell or move Sam to 6 and bring back Russell and put him at full back. We need a partnership that potentially gel to the end of the season and lockers is not the answer