Re: Tony Puletua : Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:05 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

I hate to break it to you, but coaches do talk porkies sometimes.

I've already gathered that, as my comments in other threads have indicated (for which duly ridiculed, obviously). I don't believe a word Brown says. However, I was simply outlining why it isn't as outrageous as you were suggesting that fans could conclude Gaskell is out of favour, that's all.

Re: Tony Puletua : Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:10 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

Lomax should play fullback.

Last night Salford killed us by merely kicking the ball deep and forcing Wellens to slowly turn and bring the ball back.

His lack of pace meant on two or three occassions we were trapped in goal, and at other times having to bring the ball out from under our own sticks.
If Lomax had been at fullback i dont think we would have dropped out once.

Put simply if Lance is out then we play Gaskell or someone else at stand off. Possibly Swift if he is fit.
Lomax has to play fullback, otherwise Wigan with Matty Smith will merely punt the ball downfield and then tackle us to death close to our line. This wil tire out our pack and Wigan will come away with an easy victory.

I'd personally be tempted to name Lomax at 6 but play him as a full back when we're defending and have Wello in the main defensive line where the stand off defends.

I think it'd be a risk playing Charnock and Speakman/Ashe against Wigan, as they will target them defensively. Gaskell is clearly shot for confidence so it'd be a bit of a risk bringing him back now aswell.

Re: Tony Puletua : Sun Mar 24, 2013 1:45 pm  

I really hope Wellens doesn't play at 1. This would be a massive backstep after Lomax's performances there.

Re: Tony Puletua : Sun Mar 24, 2013 9:46 pm  

Wigan's kicking game has improved 100% with Smith and Green rather than Tommy and Finch.
It was only their kicking and turning Watkins around that kept the score down at Leeds. The previous week Catalans had Millard at FB who is slow and Wigan kicked him to death. They could hardly get out of their half but for penalties. Wigan tackled hard and fast thus rattling up a big score to nil.
Not suggesting Saints will be nilled but a slow fb and you could be in trouble.
As has been said O'Loughlin and McIlorum sustained knocks. At the press conf S Wane said he was ready to put them both back on but the score meant he need not take the risk.
It's only xrays that will detail the extent of Lockers rib injury. MicMac's was a shoulder problem.
Saints pack is very experienced now compared to Wigan's but the younger players are certainly putting in the effort.
The Saints pack will have to win their battle well to prevent the Wigan halves and backs from running the show and taking over the game.

Re: Tony Puletua : Mon Mar 25, 2013 8:30 am  

Wigan arent powerfull enough in the forwards to penetrate through the middle.Use the umbrella defence to force them to go up the middle and stop them getting the ball out wide.

Re: Tony Puletua : Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:02 am  

I don't think we should underestimate the Wigan pack. Yes it is young, but it is also very hungry and aggressive.

They'll run through walls in a derby and it will be very tough. Hopefully our pack won't repeat the Round 1 complacency.

Re: Tony Puletua : Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:38 am  

The Chair Maker wrote:

Lomax should play fullback.

Last night Salford killed us by merely kicking the ball deep and forcing Wellens to slowly turn and bring the ball back.

His lack of pace meant on two or three occassions we were trapped in goal, and at other times having to bring the ball out from under our own sticks.
If Lomax had been at fullback i dont think we would have dropped out once.

Put simply if Lance is out then we play Gaskell or someone else at stand off. Possibly Swift if he is fit.
Lomax has to play fullback, otherwise Wigan with Matty Smith will merely punt the ball downfield and then tackle us to death close to our line. This wil tire out our pack and Wigan will come away with an easy victory.

Spot on Wello's days as a fullback should be over, he is simply too slow to be effective.

Re: Tony Puletua : Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:52 am  

FearTheVee wrote:

I don't think we should underestimate the Wigan pack. Yes it is young, but it is also very hungry and aggressive.

They'll run through walls in a derby and it will be very tough. Hopefully our pack won't repeat the Round 1 complacency.

Indeed. Wigan's effectiveness in the forwards has tended to be based on enthusiasm and line speed rather than size anyway (one of the reasons, I think, that they don't seem to be able to maintain the same level towards the end of the season), and that will be no different on Friday. We'll have to be very fired up to win this one.

Re: Tony Puletua : Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:06 am  

FearTheVee wrote:

I don't think we should underestimate the Wigan pack. Yes it is young, but it is also very hungry and aggressive.

They'll run through walls in a derby and it will be very tough. Hopefully our pack won't repeat the Round 1 complacency.

Agreed, I think we're in for a very hard day on Friday, that young Wigan pack decimated widnes

Re: Tony Puletua : Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:01 am  

Dux wrote:

Indeed. Wigan's effectiveness in the forwards has tended to be based on enthusiasm and line speed rather than size anyway (one of the reasons, I think, that they don't seem to be able to maintain the same level towards the end of the season), and that will be no different on Friday. We'll have to be very fired up to win this one.

Yup, and they're mostly young wigan lads who will take great pride in taking on their derby rivals.