Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 04, 2022 3:18 pm  

So we now concentrate on a difficult trip over to Wakefield on Sunday afternoon. They are on a bit of a roll having won their last four matches whilst at the same time playing some really attractive rugby.

It isn't going to be an easy fixture at all in front of the home crowd and we will need to put in a similar defensive shift to the Salford cup game to try and restrict them to low points scored, I like the look of Lino he's a dangerous player, whilst Johnstone has been really good again, although I believe he may be injured again after being taken off early.

Injuries are starting to take its toll (KPP, Marshall and Isa) but at the moment we should have plenty cover. Tommy back from suspension shores up the middle for us whilst good news is no new suspensions from the Hull game.

If we can keep Wakefield to a couple of tries then I'm confident of securing a semi final place but history suggest a high scoring affair which means if they score five we need to score six.

Looking forward to it, its a stadium I've not been to in years.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 04, 2022 3:53 pm  

Johnstone sounded precautionary and if he plays it instantly feels a whole bigger challenge. He was unplayable in the first half yesterday by all accounts and the highlights were in keeping with that.

We need to raise our intensity from what we’ve produced so far this season. I’ve watched Thursdays game back and we did play far better than I thought at the game. Having Tommy back will be big and this feels like the first real test of Peets ability to raise them in a knock out game, in a hostile environment and against a form team. We failed plenty of big tests under Lam, so this feels like a real chance to turn a page.

As for the team who knows?! Marshall and Isa both being out wouldn’t be ideal but we can cope. I could see Thornley slotting back in. He looks in great physical shape at the minute and got minutes under his belt in the reserves.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 04, 2022 4:32 pm  

Looking back at the Hull match they had a much better field kicking game to us. Making us turn by kicking the ball into space, it's something we fail to manage regularly week after week. Why we constantly aimlessly kick to the full back or wingers instead of splitting them is beyond me.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 04, 2022 4:49 pm  

Will be a really difficult game for you especially if Johnstone is fit. I can’t see that he will be as it was mentioned it was a back injury and they certainly won’t take any chances with him.

Ignoring Toulouse (as we just did our bit to help the game) Wakefield caused us more problems than any other team this season. They didn’t have Lino but made numerous breaks and half breaks. They kicked early, went wide early and generally played really off the cuff inventive rugby.

Wigan have a poor record at Wakefield so it wouldn’t be too much of a shock if they did beat you. Should be a good game and a test as to how good Wigan under Peet really are.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:08 pm  

MattyB wrote:

Looking forward to it, its a stadium I've not been to in years.

It won't have changed.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:23 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

It won't have changed.

I started watching Wigan in 1965 and it was many years before I saw us win there. It's never been a happy hunting ground for us, however, let's hope that changes on Sunday!

I think if we concentrate for the full 80 mins we should be ok. One point or twenty, I'm not bothered.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:50 pm  

proper-shaped-balls wrote:

I started watching Wigan in 1965 and it was many years before I saw us win there. It's never been a happy hunting ground for us, however, let's hope that changes on Sunday!

I think if we concentrate for the full 80 mins we should be ok. One point or twenty, I'm not bothered.

Probably hasn't changed since 1965

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 04, 2022 6:02 pm  

A few people were wondering if Miski hadn’t played for the reserves due to them holding him back to cover Marshall. He’s playing for Newcastle on Premier Sports tonight, as are Halsall, Nicholson and Brad O’Neill.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 04, 2022 6:40 pm  

Should be a cracking match this one. I enjoy Wakey Wigan games and they tend to be entertaining affairs.

I am very glad this is a Wakey home tie that’s for sure.

As stated above TJ has been unplayable at times this year and looks in fantastic shape but pleasingly we don’t appear to be a team reliant on individuals anymore.

Hopefully big Dave Fifita is back in the mix after missing the last 2 games.

Should be a belter of a game this one. Wigan would have to be favourites but I’d give us a fair shot being at home.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 04, 2022 7:03 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

It won't have changed.

Next year it will have A 10 million pounds + revamp all signed up and all cash in bank .We are playing football we have not seen at Wakefield for years plus we are buying ground .We are in a good place at present Could be a great match if ref let's it flow