Looking forward to our first home game of the year with a big crowd expected. Watching their opener last week they looked rather rusty in attack but as solid as ever in defence, good argument to say this is, particularly on the eve of their trip to Vegas, an ideal time to play them. However as we are all well aware this is the current World Champions we are coming up against. Another effort like last week will see us run close however I sense Wigan will be very keen to bounce back and will just be a bit too good for us.

They haven't conceded a try in the last 5(?) league games so I think our points will most definitely be at a premium. As such, defense will be absolutely paramount. I'd expect Wigan to win but I'm hopeful it'll be a really close game. Would be nice to actually put on a good show for a big crowd.

If it's a close game I'll be happy but have a fear that with a few injuries, we'll maybe lose this one by 18-24 points

[quote="scarrie":2lcdbcgk]They haven't conceded a try in the last 5(?) league games so I think our points will most definitely be at a premium. As such, defense will be absolutely paramount. I'd expect Wigan to win but I'm hopeful it'll be a really close game. Would be nice to actually put on a good show for a big crowd.[/quote:2lcdbcgk] That last sentence is the one for me. Too many times we've had stinkers of games when there's an offer on and a big crowd. I would have been happy with a gallant loss last week in France, and I'll be happy with that again this week. Hopefully another surprise on the cards though!

[quote="Jake the Peg":18pvtpga]If it's a close game I'll be happy but have a fear that with a few injuries, we'll maybe lose this one by 18-24 points[/quote:18pvtpga] Cartwright is a massive loss and I've no idea what they'll do at Hooker with no Bourouh so I think you're right. Over the course of a season, a loss at home to Wigan won't be the end of the world of course, but it's a shame we haven't got those two available.

[quote="Faithful One":10jm62va]Cartwright is a massive loss and I've no idea what they'll do at Hooker with no Bourouh so I think you're right. Over the course of a season, a loss at home to Wigan won't be the end of the world of course, but it's a shame we haven't got those two available.[/quote:10jm62va] Expect and hope its Balmforth starting with Moy off the bench.

If injuries pan out like they say...... Rapana Barron Hardaker Briscoe Martin Cust Seizer Ese Balmforth Aydin Lane Ashworth Asiata Subs Sao Sabalio Moy Jebson/ Kirby Hopefully One of Holmes Chamberlain are passed fit to take last subs place

Looks like only single seats left in the East and West and only seats together in the South and West/North corner. So I'd guess at 12k depending on how many Wigan have sold. Hoping Fridays positive display encourages a few people who haven't been for a while to turn out. It won't be easy and I expect a defeat but we need to get the noise back in the stands again.

Looking forward to this one, I'll be in east with my son, don't expect a win but if we play like we did against catalans then we can't ask for anymore

Hope we just put a good performance in. Don’t expect a win, just need something we can get behind. The ticket offer games are usually a let down, but this feels different now. We’ve got people in who know what they’re doing. Be nice for Thirkill to see a big crowd.

[quote="hull2524":1oftff9f]If injuries pan out like they say...... Rapana Barron Hardaker Briscoe Martin Cust Seizer Ese Balmforth Aydin Lane Ashworth Asiata Subs Sao Sabalio Moy Jebson/ Kirby Hopefully One of Holmes Chamberlain are passed fit to take last subs place[/quote:1oftff9f] I think Fash will be in the 17

[quote="Chris71":1mrwpag5]I think Fash will be in the 17[/quote:1mrwpag5] Yep, Fash will probably start in the backrow.

[quote="Sebasteeno":33vps8s1]Looking forward to this one, I'll be in east with my son, don't expect a win but if we play like we did against catalans then we can't ask for anymore[/quote:33vps8s1] I'm going with hope and genuine optimism with the new dawn. Like you and most others, I'm not expecting a win but want to us back up the Catalan performance with the same level of performance, effort and resolve, do that and I'll be happy. Much like going to France, the pressure was on Catalan and will be similar this week where the pressure/expectation will be all on Wigan as no one gives us much chance. Plus Wigan may well have one an eye on their trip stateside to Sin City with all the razzamatazz.

They've just opened another block of the West (guessing a padded seat area usually not on sale) and another block of the North stand due to demand.

[quote="Chris71":28sfnhy1]IPlus Wigan may well have one an eye on their trip stateside to Sin City with all the razzamatazz.[/quote:28sfnhy1] Probably field a reserve team this week

[quote="walter wall":2rkn5uva]Probably field a reserve team this week [/quote:2rkn5uva] Got to be careful there. The RFL have launched a compliance investigation against Salford for their squad selection last week.

[quote="Chris71":2dxl8tf2]I think Fash will be in the 17[/quote:2dxl8tf2] Whoops forget about him

[quote="Roam Ranger":1yk8sls2]Got to be careful there. The RFL have launched a compliance investigation against Salford for their squad selection last week.[/quote:1yk8sls2] may get a decision by season end

[quote="Roam Ranger":29el00co]Got to be careful there. The RFL have launched a compliance investigation against Salford for their squad selection last week.[/quote:29el00co] that will send shivers through the whole of S/L

We can go into Friday's game with confidence. I don't expect a win but a decent performance and another strong defensive display and I'll be happy. Cartwriight and Bourouh are big misses. I wouldn't mind seeing Hutchinson get a run out. Would be a great chance for him.

[quote="number 6":lnm1t1k5][quote="Roam Ranger":lnm1t1k5]Got to be careful there. The RFL have launched a compliance investigation against Salford for their squad selection last week.[/quote:lnm1t1k5] may get a decision by season end [/quote:lnm1t1k5] Yeh the 2035 season end probably

Interesting game coming up - you would think Wigan will respond from the defeat last Thursday but then a few may have eyes on Vegas. In fairness I didn't think we were bad against Leigh and was impressed with the quality for a Round 1 - both sides played a strong attritional game and we just made a few mistakes at key moments. Fingers crossed the ruck is a little quicker on Friday - I don't buy this perception that less whistle is always a good thing. Penalise slow rucks early and the game benefits later on. Assume Miski will come back in, otherwise probably unchanged for us. I expect more ball movement from Wigan this week if conditions allow.

Like most on here I think we'll probably come up short. And then I think back to last season and the pile of sh*t were serving up and then lo and behold we turned Wigan over. It couldn't happen again - Could it?

[quote="Hessle Roader":3ijqz4mk]Like most on here I think we'll probably come up short. And then I think back to last season and the pile of sh*t were serving up and then lo and behold we turned Wigan over. It couldn't happen again - Could it?[/quote:3ijqz4mk] Stranger things have happened. We have an OK record against them at home in recent years. Need a good start and the crowd getting behind the team. Still, it would be nice if Wigan rested a few before their Las Vegas trip.

Wigan need to win this one after their loss last week. They don't want to be 4 points behind the likes of saints and rovers this early in the season. They'll come here all guns blazing