Yeah maybe. It won't be the first time I've contradicted myself, and likely won't be the last.





All I'm saying is Madge and his staff work work with the players day in day out and therefore have a far better understanding of what will and won't work. If after the match their team selection was clearly wrong then it'll deserve the scrutiny it'll no doubt receive. But to try and second guess what Madge will do is wrong in my eye's. The only one's who I can see could have a grievance would be those who thought either Phelps or Charnley would be in with a shout of team selection, purely because they aren't in the squad.

I think we'll be able to recall Deacon should he be fit, but we have to work on the assumption he will miss out.



I can't comment on whether it should have been Phelps or Roberts to replace Deacon based on form but I will say this, Phelps brings us more options i.e. he could have played full back or stand off, and has an okay kicking game (though far from brilliant) and I also see Phelps as a safer option in that he's more consistent. Roberts is a confidence player and if he doesn't have much, he could have a shocker, where as I think Phelps would be steady.



I'm also of the opinion that we should do as least disruption to the team as possible when replacing Deacon, so given the squad we've announced I'd go with Sam at 6 and Roberts at full back, leaving Richards on the wing. We've enough outside back options to suggest that if Roberts wasn't 100% fit, he wouldn't be selected, and his best performances in a Wigan shirt have come at 1, and Pat is undoubtedly better outside Carmont, so that's the way it should stay.



Tuson and either Davies or Prescott to miss out for me, probably Davies since Maguire seems relecutant to give him a full run out whenever he is selected, and it is essential we have 4 fully charged props for the rest of the play off compaign. Having calmed down a little from Sunday, I'd also start Joel, hopefully gifting Leeds 2 points that ultimately won them the game will make him see he needs to be a lot smater and more disciplined.



I'd also start Hansen, Fielden and Coley in the pack too in the hopes of getting off to an absolute flier, and trying to kill some of KR's enthusiasm and confidence.



To summarise then:



Roberts

Goulding

Gleeson

Carmont

Richards

S Tomkins

Leuluai

Fielden

Riddell

Coley

J Tomkins

Hansen

O'Loughlin



McIlorum

Farrell

Paleaaesina

Prescott

I like that team

For me this just confirms Roberts is here next season and Phelps is not.

If we don't sign a top class hooker then Phelps will be here next season. IMO.

As far as I know nothing has been officially sorted with him, and he hasn't had a "chance" in the first team for a long time now. I we aren't going to play him there is no point in having him in the squad at his age and on the quota.



If he isn't going to figure for us I would rather let him go and play somewhere else in SL, and leave our options open.



That said, I'm happy if we keep him and find a spot for him.



As for this 19, I don't really want to see Pat at fullback, he is wasted there. Roberts or Sam.

You could still make a late change to the 19 like we did last week if one of your players is found to not be 100%.

A few months ago this would have probably have been regarded as Wigan's strongest team - with the current squad. Play to our potential and we will win comfortably! It is vital that MM selects 4 props.

This is the main point for me, we need 4 props! Also I don't want to see Pat at fullback, like other have said, he is wasted there. Yes he's solid, but we lose so much threat down the wing.

I mentioned on another thread we should go with four props.

This should happen for the remaining games of the season.

We can beat Cas, Wakey & Salford with three props but not Leeds, Wire or Stains as has been proved by this year's results.

If we don't beat HKR then we needn't bother about the rest as we are out!

This squad playing four props should put 40 past HKR. With three it would be doubtful if we'd win!

Interesting that MM has named five props in his 19 so even if one has fitness problems now then another one is ready to play!

Same problem for me. One freak injury to a backline player and we lose the game.



You simply cannot pick a team with that risk imo.

He did that last week and still only played three.