It’s most certainly not a “weak” Wigan squad.



They are missing 2 wingers in manfredi and Marshall. They are missing Gildart and French. Bibby is a good winger and seems to do a good job covering one.



Those are the only 3 injuries plus bevan that would likely be in the first team line up.



From 6-17 they’re more or less full strength. With Hardaker and bibby in the back line too it’s still decent.



In contrast wakey still missing 2 spine players in wood and Jowitt plus Battye. It’s more or less evens on the injury front.



I discount field because I don’t think with hardaker, French, Hastings, Tommy he would get much of a gig anyway.



I see this again as a pretty even affair on paper. Though I don’t think their pack is as daunting as the Leeds pack and certainly not as big.



I suspect that the Wigan coach may stack the edge defence against bill and Tom with Hardaker and Bibby.

If that's the case, let's hope the dirty tw*t keeps his tackles fair.

I don't think its weak .. but its certainly weaker than it could be.

It's looking like a centre combination of Willie Isa one side with either Bateman or Farrell on the other (plus young Hanley on the wing) which we should be able to exploit in terms of pace (don't think Bibby is that quick either) .

Their forward pack struggled to contain Sidlow last week which also gives some cause for optimism.

They will of course be tough and fit and have a top kicking game given the inclusion of Hastings.

So what team isn't, are we not weaker than we could be? At what point exactly does the second richest club in SL with the best youth system become 'weak', give it a rest, there is nothing weaker about Wigan just as there was nothing weaker about Leeds. Smoke and mirrors, is all this is, why you chose to peddle it I don't know.

Agree Vasty.

As a club, and as I see it, Wakefield aren't "expected" to beat the likes of Wigan, Saints et al due to the ability of said clubs' recruitment ability.

But we do manage it sometimes..... Which is nice.

If all our backs click we will run Wigan close and if we keep our heads win it.

Already talk of trying to put the shacks on TJ, let's see.

Just love the way Wigan play simple tough Rugby, the second half display against Leigh was a master class in handing the ball over on the oppositions try line then really getting off the defensive line with pace and tackling in numbers with aggression, keeping the opposition in their 20 and forcing a kick that at best crosses the half way line. They are patient and determined, its not complicated but very effective plus the whole team knows the plan and buys into it. It takes a set of equally determined aggressive players to carry the ball out of defense, remember how Hendo used to be always there to make these tough carries.

For once you're right, halfback play is intricate, backs are flamboyant, forwards should be a machine. Of course, forwards can be skilled but it's not a necessity. The ability to catch the ball at speed from deep, run it hard, KNOW WHEN THE TACKLE IS MADE rather than thrashing around like a hooked fish, get to your feet and play the ball without delay. All forwards must be able to do this, it's where Wigan and Leeds etc are strong and where our greatest weakness lays. My enthusiasm for Battye is that he seems to know this, as a player he's fairly ordinary in the skills department but in a class of his own when playing as a prop.

I'd be tempted to move Tanginoa into the front row to replace Green or Tangata, and Pitts in the second row.

That won't go down well, most spent all last season arguing with that. You may have a point though.

Agree with that plus Arundel has to play, him in with Twopoo on the wing , that gives us a better defensive look to me and plenty of physicality which is a basic need in my opinion.

An interesting if nonsensical view .. in my humble opinion.