Re: Saints (Magic Weekend) : Wed Aug 14, 2024 3:10 pm  

NB I think Forber will start on Saturday....

Re: Saints (Magic Weekend) : Wed Aug 14, 2024 3:23 pm  

Stu M wrote:

How is it a bigger game for Saints?? This is a free hit, with low expectations from Saints fans of a win.

We have our 1, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 13 missing

We then have Hurrell, Delaney and Wingfield who may not make a first choice 17 but would be first choice replacements

We aren't going to finish in the top 3, it's purely about making the top 6 so not sure why this game is more important to us. It's about us winning more games now than Leigh and Leeds before the end of the season.

I understand your point re the injuries and we're pretty lucky you've racked up those injuries as I would be very fearful this Saturday, if we were to face a near-full strength Saints. However, we saw last week when a patched up Leeds side put us to the sword. Sometimes it's the team who wants the win more, and has more in the tank. We'll also be missing our 6,7,9,11.

My view is that you need the win more than us, as you say, you won't finish top 3; we most likely are nailed on to, barring a disaster. If you lose Saturday, you could finish the weekend only 2 points ahead of seventh, with KR at home, Wire away and Leigh away to come.

Re: Saints (Magic Weekend) : Wed Aug 14, 2024 3:35 pm  

LewCharnock wrote:

I understand your point re the injuries and we're pretty lucky you've racked up those injuries as I would be very fearful this Saturday, if we were to face a near-full strength Saints. However, we saw last week when a patched up Leeds side put us to the sword. Sometimes it's the team who wants the win more, and has more in the tank. We'll also be missing our 6,7,9,11.

My view is that you need the win more than us, as you say, you won't finish top 3; we most likely are nailed on to, barring a disaster. If you lose Saturday, you could finish the weekend only 2 points ahead of seventh, with KR at home, Wire away and Leigh away to come.

Yes and with our injuries that may well be another 3 defeats however that's also saying Leigh and Leeds continue to win. We also have Cas at H and Hudds A so that could be two wins

Also certainly by Leigh we may well be back to normal (ish) barring any more injuries. Certainly Clark and Dodd will be back and that is the game earmarked for Welsby. Plus Lomax and Knowles back so suddenly we look more healthy (again if we don't pick up any more)

Re: Saints (Magic Weekend) : Wed Aug 14, 2024 3:42 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Yes and with our injuries that may well be another 3 defeats however that's also saying Leigh and Leeds continue to win. We also have Cas at H and Hudds A so that could be two wins

Also certainly by Leigh we may well be back to normal (ish) barring any more injuries. Certainly Clark and Dodd will be back and that is the game earmarked for Welsby. Plus Lomax and Knowles back so suddenly we look more healthy (again if we don't pick up any more)

FWIW, irrespective of Saturday's result, you should make the 6 with room to spare. I think for both Wigan and Saints it's about getting players back fit and having energy in the tank come the playoffs.

I do feel, particularly this week, fans of other clubs and the media are starting to sleep on both Wigan and Saints. I certainly wouldn't back against a Wigan Saints final. Fit and firing, both sides can play at an intensity that others in the league can't.

Re: Saints (Magic Weekend) : Wed Aug 14, 2024 3:42 pm  

LewCharnock wrote:

I understand your point re the injuries and we're pretty lucky you've racked up those injuries as I would be very fearful this Saturday, if we were to face a near-full strength Saints. However, we saw last week when a patched up Leeds side put us to the sword. Sometimes it's the team who wants the win more, and has more in the tank. We'll also be missing our 6,7,9,11.

My view is that you need the win more than us, as you say, you won't finish top 3; we most likely are nailed on to, barring a disaster. If you lose Saturday, you could finish the weekend only 2 points ahead of seventh, with KR at home, Wire away and Leigh away to come.

Also not sure a "patched up" Leeds side is the right term. Plus they were at home, new coach syndrome etc

Not missing 9 players from a 21 man squad like we are on Saturday

Re: Saints (Magic Weekend) : Wed Aug 14, 2024 3:53 pm  

This is the lamest piece of detective work ever but Wigan have posted a picture of Adam Keighran training and he's about to receive a pass outside the penalty arc (so the centre of the field). Conclusive proof he'll be playing halfback on Saturday.

Re: Saints (Magic Weekend) : Thu Aug 15, 2024 10:04 am  

Field
Miski Eckersley Wardle Marshall
Keighran Farrimond
Thompson Leeming Havard
Nsemba Farrell Ellis

Subs- Dupree Mago Walters Forber

Re: Saints (Magic Weekend) : Thu Aug 15, 2024 10:41 am  

My worry is MP seems to have a bit of a blind spot re. Saints where he wants to go set for set with them while other clubs have shown the way to beat Saints and in some cases quite easily is to ping the ball around, they're that rigid they just can't cope with it.

Re: Saints (Magic Weekend) : Thu Aug 15, 2024 10:56 am  

apollosghost wrote:

My worry is MP seems to have a bit of a blind spot re. Saints where he wants to go set for set with them while other clubs have shown the way to beat Saints and in some cases quite easily is to ping the ball around, they're that rigid they just can't cope with it.

Very similar to what i was alluding to in my earlier post - i dont think there will be much in the packs, but we need / should be able to get at their backs with Ritson, Blake and either Davies or Whitley as the other centre

both half back pairings are makeshift (albeit Farrimond is a recognised half), so its about us getting good quality quick ball from the pack, and allowing us to get at their outside backs, and hopefully getting some success out of it

Re: Saints (Magic Weekend) : Thu Aug 15, 2024 11:14 am  

Hampshire dropped so I think that's Farrimond/Keighran in the halves https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/08/ ... 8AnNS6ZrGw

Hampshire dropped so I think that's Farrimond/Keighran in the halves https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/08/ ... 8AnNS6ZrGw