[Uncle Rico]

Re: 19-Man squad for Wigan : Thu Mar 31, 2016 8:58 am  

Snaggletooth wrote:

If he is out of his depth at this level then he shouldn't be picked end of. Our rivals rarely put a youngster in who looks out of his depth. Last season he didn't look out of his depth. Making 3 changes in the back line when one move is all it takes is madness.

IF Russell isn't fit it's not complete madness imo. Has/can Penny play at FB and has Ormsby played on the wing? Sure there are potential changes, but, it's not like you're completely shuffling the team asking Westwood to go back to Centre to allow Evans to go to FB.

I think that Johnson started shakily, but, played alright after their first try. He's still a player and you've got to trust TS to manage him, its a balance between Wigan Away being a big game and denting the lads confidence by leaving him out.

Re: 19-Man squad for Wigan : Thu Mar 31, 2016 9:33 am  

I think Wigan away is too big a game for Johnson, in fact it is 3rd behind both finals, not the game you want to be throwing rookies in.
If Russell isn't fit for Saints next week Johnson should play, it's a home game with the home support behind him, at Wigan though Penny and Orsmby are experienced and is absolutely the correct choice.
It's not even major disruption..Penny has played fb many times and Gene slips straight into his natural position.

Re: 19-Man squad for Wigan : Thu Mar 31, 2016 9:42 am  

Sorry guys I disagree, changing the team is such a way upsets the balance when you don't need too. Leave Penny where he is and he can continue to form his partnership with his centre. There is a bench player who has played at full back and that is Ratchford. If Johnson is not up to it then keep him well clear of the first team until such times he is.

I have no doubt that Penny and Ormsby can come in, but I personally am vehemently against changing players to suit when there are other options. How about Ratchford at SH and Gidley at FB?

Re: 19-Man squad for Wigan : Thu Mar 31, 2016 9:48 am  

Then you're saying play Clark for 80 mins and more of the same sub standard half back play that was on show at Hull.

We have to move players around no matter what.

Stef at hooker
Gids/Sandow halves

Ormsby who has played nothing but wing and is a cracking finisher...don't see the problem sticking him outside Atkins.

Penny adjusts his role slightly, he'll still play the same game on the exit sets, he can still chime in the line and he is brave and confident under the high ball.

Absolute no brainer for me

[Uncle Rico]

Re: 19-Man squad for Wigan : Thu Mar 31, 2016 9:55 am  

Snaggletooth wrote:

Sorry guys I disagree, changing the team is such a way upsets the balance when you don't need too. Leave Penny where he is and he can continue to form his partnership with his centre. There is a bench player who has played at full back and that is Ratchford. If Johnson is not up to it then keep him well clear of the first team until such times he is.

I have no doubt that Penny and Ormsby can come in, but I personally am vehemently against changing players to suit when there are other options. How about Ratchford at SH and Gidley at FB?

You've every right to disagree of course Snagg's, but, then you say that you are against changes, want to continue form and partnerships and then suggest moving Gidley to FB and putting Ratchford into the halves?

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: 19-Man squad for Wigan : Thu Mar 31, 2016 10:21 am  

Snaggletooth wrote:

Sorry guys I disagree, changing the team is such a way upsets the balance when you don't need too. Leave Penny where he is and he can continue to form his partnership with his centre. There is a bench player who has played at full back and that is Ratchford. If Johnson is not up to it then keep him well clear of the first team until such times he is.

I have no doubt that Penny and Ormsby can come in, but I personally am vehemently against changing players to suit when there are other options. How about Ratchford at SH and Gidley at FB?

There are changes, adn there are changes.

Penny to fullback isn't the latter, and doesn't necesarily weaken the team elsewhere, moving gids or removing our replacement hooker.

Penny's played at fullback many times now over the last 18 months, and done pretty well there, so much so he looked like he was going to be keeping russell out pre season, and i don't think putting him there disrupts the team in anyway, he's a much more known entity and as yed mentioned he's an older head who will deal with the pressure of the pie dome a lot better.


PS, i liked johnson a lot last year as well, he'll have his time.

Re: 19-Man squad for Wigan : Thu Mar 31, 2016 11:01 am  

Russell playing, Westerman to sit this one out. Benny Westwood starts, Philbin on bench.

[Uncle Rico]

Re: 19-Man squad for Wigan : Thu Mar 31, 2016 11:11 am  

LOngbarn Wire wrote:

Russell playing, Westerman to sit this one out. Benny Westwood starts, Philbin on bench.

Presumably with Ormsby LW?

Re: 19-Man squad for Wigan : Thu Mar 31, 2016 11:32 am  

Uncle Rico wrote:

You've every right to disagree of course Snagg's, but, then you say that you are against changes, want to continue form and partnerships and then suggest moving Gidley to FB and putting Ratchford into the halves?

Oh I wish people would try and stop putting Ratchford in the halves. It doesn't work with him in there. Square peg round hole. He is a flair player however he does not have the know how to dominate play and move his troops around from the half back position ala Kurt Gidley.

Re: 19-Man squad for Wigan : Thu Mar 31, 2016 11:37 am  

Uncle Rico wrote:

Presumably with Ormsby LW?

Gene the 2nd to sit out. So i'm told.