Personally, I don’t get the negativity around Leeming. After a slow start to the season, I think he’s played really well in the last few months and has massively improved his defensive game, which was his biggest weakness when he arrived.

I’d agree with the praise heaped on Forber’s display against Catalans and we did look sharper at the PTB when he came on. But on the defensive side, and no disrespect to the lad, he is a small man and will be picked out in the line by attacking forwards (as Satae did at one point), whereas Leeming managed to handle the first half onslaught from the Catalans forward and had heavy involvement in our defence of the middle of the pitch.

In the longer terms, I agree with others that O’Neil may move to loose, Ellis is doing a great job but he is just as effective as a prop, which would see us rotating our hookers as we did today provided that Forber stays at Wigan.

Same on Leeming for me. I think he's had a pretty good first season and has added that point of difference we've wanted for a long while.

I don't think its intended as negative, hes an exciting player and has given good impact for us but he's playing as a starting nine and, while he hasn't let us down, its not his strength. Forber is on the small side but his defence has been exceptional in the Academy/Reserves, his distribution and decision making is top notch. TBH, however this pans out its a good problem to have.

If the rumours about Forber leaving are true I wonder if the club see Ratchford as the better long term prospect ?

If the rumours are correct then someone needs their head feeling.

Maybe, Forber is ready now, Ratchford may be ready in a couple of years, He had a good game v Hull Reserves and has shown promise.

In fairness to the club, if the decision was made a while ago, they likely had a fit Brad O'Neill fighting out with Leeming and it was difficult to see where chances would come from for Forber. They were likely doing what they thought was right by the lad if they have indeed granted him a release to join Salford. What I do wonder is if there is any way to safeguard yourself by stipulating a release will not be given should something like a bad injury to O'Neill crop up. If they could do that and haven't then it's not good but I have no clue if that's a thing (and it may just be that financially we needed to get players off the books).

In terms of Ratchford, he looks an outstanding talent when I watch him. He is out at Rochdale playing against grown men, so he could well come in to the reckoning early next year.

Nothing for Leeming. Not even cited.

On a side note Vaughn and the lad from Hudds have got 3 matches for the red cards (the Hudds lad has actually got 4, an additional 1 for a separate incident).
Probably the going rate at the moment but we all know they would've been penalties at the most if it wasn't for what's going on off the field

It will be very interesting to see if refs treat these incidents any differently in the playoffs and grand final.

An absolute ridiculous yellow card

It was. I was never worried about a ban for that but wondered if they may give him one for the tip tackle (which would've been ridiculous but when does that stop them).

Tom Forber will be at Wigan next season.

Good move by the club but a necessary one.
O'Neil is out at the start of next season. Leeming just needs a knock pre season and if Forber had gone where would we be then?
Forber was very good at Catalan (IMO) and scored the try which changed the game.
Catalans must have been shattered going in level after their performance in the first half.

Any further details? Was there a U turn of some sort?