Re: Squad for Wigan (Cup) : Fri Jun 07, 2024 4:14 pm  

Bunkaib wrote:

It's tricky with Ratchford the connection is an emotional one I remember sat close to the pitch at OT in 2013 watching him come back to the sidelines in his boot and felt his frustration in not being able to directly influence the game. Being the best player on the pitch in the 2018 gf and still losing. We want him to do well and have the success he deserved.

Truth is though as others have said he's not in the best 17 in the club anymore and although i still feel he has a job to play in the squad he isn't in our strongest 17 and shouldn't play.

This is true. Stef at the moment is reminding me of when Ben Westwood was in his final season with us. We admire and respect them for how excellent they have been over many years, and it's always good to have them around, but time catches up with everyone. As Ratticus said in an earlier comment, Stef is still there if we need him in an emergency, but with fine young players coming through, the times when we will need Stef are now becoming less frequent.

Re: Squad for Wigan (Cup) : Fri Jun 07, 2024 4:17 pm  

I’ll be honest I’m up for this game. I have a lot of confidence in this side. If Stef plays or not I hope he’s touching that cup.

Up the wire.

Re: Squad for Wigan (Cup) : Fri Jun 07, 2024 4:49 pm  

Defend as we did against Catalans, and the world's our lobster. We'll always create chances especially on the roomy pitch at Wembley, gotta think Dufty, Ashton et al will relish it. Flip side, so will French and Field if we let them.

Just need to keep calm and trust the process and all will be well. NTW!

Re: Squad for Wigan (Cup) : Fri Jun 07, 2024 7:05 pm  

ninearches wrote:

With a game that could be won on goal kicks ,can Ratchford reasonably not play?

Thewlis has kicked very solidly this season, Ratchford is only marginally better than him and therefore doesn't play unless we have injury problems.

I'm confident we'll win this game, but we'll lose it should the match day squad worry over the competence of our goalkicker. They won't be worried about, and nor will I.

Re: Squad for Wigan (Cup) : Fri Jun 07, 2024 7:18 pm  

We need to shut down Smith and French quickly - Smith controlling the game and kicking and French for being generally dangerous. I don't really worry too much about Field. I saw a post recently comparing his stats to Dufty and he didn't come anywhere close, especially in line breaks, tackle busts and metres. Other than that, control the ruck and i think we will win this.

Re: Squad for Wigan (Cup) : Fri Jun 07, 2024 7:51 pm  

wirecation wrote:

We need to shut down Smith and French quickly - Smith controlling the game and kicking and French for being generally dangerous. I don't really worry too much about Field. I saw a post recently comparing his stats to Dufty and he didn't come anywhere close, especially in line breaks, tackle busts and metres. Other than that, control the ruck and i think we will win this.

It's sod's law though that he'll suddenly pop up tomorrow and have a stormer. Hopefully not, obviously! And with any luck, Marshall isn't 100%.

Re: Squad for Wigan (Cup) : Sat Jun 08, 2024 12:08 pm  

Starting 13 as expected.

Bench
Musgrove
Powell
Bullock
Crowther

No Holroyd

Re: Squad for Wigan (Cup) : Sat Jun 08, 2024 1:09 pm  

Shame for Holroyd, great news for Bullock. Hope Musgrove makes the most of the faith put in him.

Re: Squad for Wigan (Cup) : Sat Jun 08, 2024 6:01 pm  

Personally I’d start to be looking at Holroyd ahead of Crowther in the pecking order.

Re: Squad for Wigan (Cup) : Tue Jun 11, 2024 8:18 am  

ratticusfinch wrote:

Personally I’d start to be looking at Holroyd ahead of Crowther in the pecking order.

You are spot on mate, Crowther is not good enough for a top team. 100% player but doesn’t have the attributes that are required.