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!

O'Carroll will always hold his end up in the side. He won't let you down and he'll get through his work with minimum fuss.

I thought he was great last night. He ran it tough, defended tough and made no mistakes. He very rarely does come up with any real errors and everytime I watch him I can't help but feel we really need to keep hold of this lad for the long term.

I've always said he'll be a slow burner but when this lad is 26-27 he'll be a very good player imo.

Guissett (I think) came flying out the line to put a big hit on O'carroll, he connected, but didn't stop him and he kept on going for a few more metres and more players had to come and put him down.

A real tough lad.

He was very impressive last night in all areas. His defence is superb, he's very quick out the line and from marker and so he really gets in the quick tackles and pegs the opposition back. He's also capable of standing up to some bigger players when they target him
Attacking was his big weakness last season, but last night he didn't have too much of a problem. His size makes him pretty easy to be pushed back by the opposition at times, and he doesn't have the poweful leg drive that Prescott and Mossop have, but he makes up for it by running direct and at some speed and covering ground quickly before the defence can meet him.

I think Coley, Fielden, Prescott and O'Carroll were all very good last night. Feka will have to work hard to get back into contention IMO because all 4 of those props are playing well.