Re: 19 man squad : Thu Sep 16, 2010 11:39 am  

Father Ted wrote:

Odd with Lockers at 6.
The only reasons I can think of is that he played 6 at schools and amateur level. Though that is a very long time ago.
He must have trained well at 6 and MM doesn't want to lose Sam's threat from full back.
The key to me still is to play four props. He's going with four so we should more than match HKR forwards although Galea is always a threat.
Beat the HKR pack and the game is ours no matter who plays 6.

Lockers broke into the Wigan 1st team playing at 6, the last time we got to a Grand Final he was playing at 6, so he has more than enough experience playing there.

Re: 19 man squad : Thu Sep 16, 2010 11:40 am  

We HAVE to play Sam at stand off and lockers at 13. Then the only question is do you put Pat at fullback(defensively sound but will lose out on a an extra pivot in attack, and Pats potency out wide). Roberts/Phelps at Fullback

If Pat is at fullback we have Marsh/Charnley/Roberts for the wing spot.

We should also play 4 props.

Isn't it amazing how having Deacon out, who most people(me included) thought would only be cover this year, cause such a headache.
We need a good kicking game and tommy and lockers are not the answer. Sam is the better option at 6 for kicking alone.

Re: 19 man squad : Thu Sep 16, 2010 11:53 am  

Andy24 wrote:

the last time we got to a Grand Final he was playing at 6

Not a very good example to prove your case...

Re: 19 man squad : Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:14 pm  

Does anyone think that it's a good idea to play Lockers at #6?

For me it's the equivalent to playing Joel at centre - he could probably do a job in an emergency but he plays much better in natural position and we shouldn't start a game with him there. We've had 4 days to try Phelps and Roberts back in the team - they must have been pretty shocking if neither is preferable to Lockers playing stand-off! Either that or neither of them will be here next year so MM doesn't want to reintroduce them to the squad.

My optimism for tomorrow night is starting to evaporate!

Re: 19 man squad : Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:17 pm  

BlackKnight wrote:

Does anyone think that it's a good idea to play Lockers at #6?

No.

Re: 19 man squad : Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:19 pm  

We might aswell just go wide after every set of 6 tomorrow because we'll prob get better territory from doing that than Tommy or Lockers kicking.

Re: 19 man squad : Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:21 pm  

To start with O'Loughlin at 6 is ludicrous. It's totally unfair on Lockers, and offers us little chance of playing how we should. He's an out and out loose forward, and probably the best in SL, so why move him to stand off?

He shouldn't have been moved to 6 on Sunday and certainly shouldn't start there on Friday! Sam at 6, Roberts at 1, Pat at 5 and O'Loughlin at 13 is surely the only way to go given the squad we have announced?

If Roberts isn't fit and in form, he shouldn't have been picked and if that's the case then it's a huge error from Maguire.

Re: 19 man squad : Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:26 pm  

Watch him have a blinder now

Re: 19 man squad : Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:28 pm  

RICHARD5LEGEND wrote:

Watch him have a blinder now

We could certainly do with that!

[DaveO]

Re: 19 man squad : Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:33 pm  

BlackKnight wrote:

Does anyone think that it's a good idea to play Lockers at #6?

No.

For me it's the equivalent to playing Joel at centre - he could probably do a job in an emergency but he plays much better in natural position and we shouldn't start a game with him there. We've had 4 days to try Phelps and Roberts back in the team - they must have been pretty shocking if neither is preferable to Lockers playing stand-off! Either that or neither of them will be here next year so MM doesn't want to reintroduce them to the squad.

Feka is playing so if its a case of needs must with him then I don't see the problem of picking either of Roberts or Phelps even if they aren't going to be here next year. Next year is next year and the idea is to win the thing at every opportunity. Looking to next year and so putting out a poorer side than you can is not the right way to go about things so I doubt that is behind it. I wish I knew what was because it's crazy.

My optimism for tomorrow night is starting to evaporate!

Ditto.

Dave