This thread is great, lots of people giving themselves high blood pressure on the basis of hearsay and poor reporting.

FWIW, I will be disappointing if Horne is picked over Shaul. Shaul has done more than he would have been expected to and possesses something which Horne lost a while back. Real pace!

To put it bluntly, because you've spouted a hell of a lot of rhubarb in the past.

At least it's got to be keeping Wigan guessing because my heads in spin with it all.

Yeah but its O'Meley. Apostrophe, not full stop

James Cunningham has just tweeted this:

"my 91 year old grandad just told me that the secret to his longevity was special brew..... #coincidence"

Wonder if this is a cryptic reference to Tom Lineham being fit and the remarkable healing properties of special brew!

I really really hope that Crooks (if picked) and Lineham (if fit and picked) ARE 100%.

We don't want players limping off after half an hour (or at any point).

In Gentle we trust though....

Spot on.

Gutting if either lineham (likely) or crooks (probably will play by the sounds of it) miss out as they've been shining stars this season and also a potent attacking threat. I'm also disappointed horne hasn't played in months as it would have been a fitting reward for him to play in another final. Even though I don't think galea offered us much this season, I'm also disappointed for him that he isn't in with a chance of playing (although better for the team that he isn't IMO) as he had a good career in oz but then wasted 5 years of his life with no chance of achieving anything at rovers

you have to have sympathy for any player who misses out, injured or not picked, that's sport! I would hate to be in Gentles' position when telling players they wont be playing Saturday, but I guess that is why he is paid well and in the job he is

"Lineham will play of course", that was the line given to me 4 days ago and again today from a most reputable member of staff at the club. I can not name him but he is on the "pass it on" Video that's all I can say. (passing the ball, not as an 'extra')
I've told him of some of the comments on here believing Lineham is doubtful. He just laughed it off and said "he'll play wait and see". Now I know I've set myself up for a fall here, but that is what I've been told from inside the club, and the word is that he (Lineham) is pretty much fine and ready to go. 4 days ago I chose not to say anything but today I feel different, so there you go.....

One I heard today was Lineham having an operation tomorrow. Crooks and Horne been back in training the last few days.
Haha, who the hell knows what's going to happen!? Never been so excited to see the team announced

The 3 outright forward squad players have been decided, one is Heremia, I don't know who the other 2 are but I can guess now bearing in mind the following ;
It appears that the big squad call and still undecided position is the "backs /utility squad player" and the decision as of today effects the 2 longest serving players. Apparently Whiting is not the "shoe-in" that I thought he was. Dilemma is .....alongside the 3 replacement forwards Gentle is still mulling over whether go with 1) A high quality mobile utility who can do an excellent job as a backrow forward and a fairly good job as three quarter/fullback and could even play as a pivot if needed but is much less effective there. or does he go with 2) an ex international half-back who covers 1 to 7, better than any other we have, he who was our outstanding player before injury in a pivot position. he can also shine naturally at Fullback can fit seamlessly (apparently) into the 3/4s but will give much less if needed as a backrow replacement.

That is the decision being made tomorrow and it may even be open until Fridays light training session. Probably a decision many of you would have guessed at anyway but I'm a tad surprised that Whiting is a possibiilty to miss out. Horne must be looking very good in training thats all I can say.