Yup, and Flanno actually named at centre. Ashurst replaces Kyle in the 19.



Wigan have too much movement to risk Meli at centre, I think they'd bamboozle him, so I'd have him back on the wing.



The plus point for Meli is they're likely to hammer the opposite wing with kicks with Foster up against Richards.

Seems sensible. The only question mark for me is where Meli plays - we know about his frailties on the wing (and Wigan's strength with Richards in the air), but to be honest, I can see them making a monkey out of him if he has to defend either the centre channel, or (depending on the placement of our halves) the 2nd row channel Jtomkins runs down. No problem with his tackling, but they move the ball so well, his positioning may be called into question.



Let's not go overboard, we've won plenty of big games with him on the wing, including games against this wigan outfit and he does offer and awful lot going forward. I just hope he does make it a hat trick of OT nightmares.

I'd rather have Ade on the wing than Meli if Flannery was playing centre. Can't see it happening though.

Wellens

Gardner

Gidley

Meli

Foster

Wilkin

Smith

Graham

Cunningham

Hargreaves

Soliola

Flannery

Roby



Puletua

Clough

Emmitt

Dixon/Lomax



Thats the team i'd like to see start. I know Wilkin isn't quick enough for stand off, but he would sure up the defence theres little doubt about that. I couldn't pick between Dixon and Lomax for the last bench spot because Dixon played well last week but we could bring Lomax off the bench move him to stand off, Roby to hooker and Wilkin to loose forwards when KC goes off the field, and that would inject some pace in the halfbacks. Starting with Wilkin would ensure a solid start defensively, IMO.

The Goons will declare on 240 for 0.

But...

Given our players and the way our season's gone compared to our wigan counterparts, we should have a lot fewer problems defending against weight up the middle than we will against their pace and movement outwide - does wilkin add to this side of defending?

Possibly not, theres quite a few ways of of looking at it. Although Wilkin isn't the quickest player, hes very good defensively and would help keep the structure out wide, rather than have players flying out the line, like Meli has done in the past. I put that down to Eastmond not making the tackles he should and Meli having no confidence in Eastmond because of that, i think he would have the confidence in Wilkin to make the tackles. As i say, theres different ways to look at it and Potter has a tough job, but i think he'll probably go for the same side as last week with Lomax for Eastmond. I get the feeling he doesn't rate Gardner because the two previous games that Gardner played, before he got dropped, he played pretty well, and i am not his biggest fan.

Actually, you'd probably put wilkin inside Gidley and smith outside flannery, so that would be a pretty robust line up. It still wouldn't make me worry if Lomax came in though - he's a pretty tough character and doesn't mind the tackling.

Likely to be going off what team you lot are posting:



Wellens v Sam T

Gardner v Goulding

Gidley v Gleeson

Meli v Carmont

Foster v Richards

Wilkin v Deaco

Smith v Leuluai

Graham v Fielden

Cunningham v Riddell

Hargreaves v Coley

Soliola v Joel T

Flannery v Hansen

Roby v O'Loughlin



Puletua v Feka

Clough v Farrell

Emmitt v Prescott

Dixon/Lomax v McIlorum

I've played with Johnny and he certainly won't shy away from a tackle. Rather like Roby in that respect.

I agree, tough decision. If we don't put Lomax in i fear that we may lack that spark in attack, which is why i'd be very tempted to have him on the bench in place of Dixon. Tough decisions.

No way will either Puletua or Soliola start from the bench! The Wigan pack needs shaking up!



Wellens

Gardner

Meli

Gidley

Foster

Wilkin

Smith

Graham

KC

Hargreaves

Soliola

Puletua

Flannery



Roby

Clough

Emmitt

Dixon



That should be our line up but I have no problem if Lomax plays.