Hmmmm!
IIRC there was someone else there that same night as well
As you already know Brian O'C isn't my cup of tea although I have never "bagged" him.
I just don't like to see what I believe to be unwarranted criticism of 1 player just to try and get anohter player into the team.
As I've said before O'C will get his chance & again as you know I will give him my 100% support when he does play, plus I don't think he is a bad player in fact I know he is a "Good" player.
He is also a Valuable "Squad" player, I just don't see him as a Frontline Prop when the others are fit.????

As for it being a "Great" problems to have, then my thoughts are well documented.
I said at the start of last year that our "Squad" was as good as it had been for 5 years or so, with the development of some of the 21's and the improvement in some of the 1st team players we are seeing for various reason I think it's as good as anything out there?
We may not have as many "Superstars" as say Leeds or possibly Saints, but our "Squad, IMO is as good if not better than both!
When injuries etc do kick in, I thnk we will cope FAR BETTER than most clubs.

We'll find out tomorrow!

O'Carroll on bench

Feka & Hansen drop out the 17

Don't shoot the messenger!

Shoulder problem?

I heard Mossop was doubtful.

On bench, Bailey starts with JT in 2nd Row

Check your PM's a bit of info for you on the way!

Mossop was being rested because they didnt want to give him anymore injections for a rib injury.

they may risk him if hansen as pulled up

The problem when you are smaller than your opposition is that it takes much more effort to compete.

Wigan used to have this problem around 4 years ago. We would compete until the last 20 mins, when we simply ran out of gas.

We also got many injuries due to players being forced to tackle above their weight.


If truth be told I still think we are 1 enforcer prop short this season. Won't be a show stopper but I would be happier with an extra prop.

But isn't O'C that extra prop?
Oh No, I've started it all off again!

As a slightly different option - how about O'Carroll for when the pitches are drier and harder - which might suit him better (especially as Jonh stated for faster PTB). Given that Wigan have played against Hull KR, Warrington and now Catalan - all big packs on soft/heavy ptiches perhaps Prescott is the better option under these conditions.


At least as had been said Wigan now have options in all areas of the team - a very healthy position to be in (the loss of Phelps being a prime example - Roberts steps in etc etc and we do not seem to be any worse off).

Maquire will use his squad this season not just when injuries occur IMO.

If he has laid down the rules that hard work will be rewarded he can't stick with the same 17 each week baring injury for every round as Noble would tend to do.

Not sure what the situation is re Hansen and Mossop but resting Mossop if he's a bit battered is sensible.

With O'Carroll Maquire may just have decided his efforts in the reserves means he deserves a run in the first team. Injury or poor form of what might be deemed the regular first 17 can't be the only way players outside it can get called into the first 17. If that were the case a player like O'Carroll could bust his guts all season and get no reward. If that happened players who felt they had no chance would soon see little point in keeping up the same level of hard work and it becomes self defeating.

The hardest part of the coaches job is who to leave out to give a player like O'Carrol a run. I don't think Feka has done badly and neither has Prescott but Fielden and Coley have been better so it had to be one of those first two. I'd have gone for Prescott because he didn't have the full pre-season and could also perhaps do with a rest but I can't complain that Maquire is using his squad whoever he chooses to leave out because that is what I wanted Noble to do for the past three seasons.

Dave

The biggest thing Noble got wrong in his time at Wigan imo was not utilising his full squad so he got a competative edge to selection. He had 17 players in his mind and if at all possible he would stick to those 17 meaning they felt safe in their positions and that anybody outside of that didn't really feel there was a way in.

If Maguire is going the other way and giving opportunites to guys like O'Carroll tonight then good. He will be chomping at the bit for a game tonight and that should help guard against complacency a little. It should also make Feka sit up and take notice and have a blinding week in training next week to get his place back for the Bradford game.

I thought O'Carroll did very well in a dominant team against a BIG Catalan pack. The test for him will come in closer contests against better Superleague teams.

Agreed Rogues. I thought O'carroll had a good match, but everyone did in fairness.

His defence is awesome.

I really really think you need players like O'Carroll, in any side, whilst he may never break any pots and be the best in the world, if you put a brick wall in an oposition shirt he will run at it!

Oposition players always seem to try and line him up (ala morley) but he seldom seams to come off second best.

Also i dont recall him dropping much ball when he takes it in, which is sometimes a strugle for our front row, but not as bad this season.

I think he can play a Mick Cassidy type of role for us!