Sam Powell injury fears after Wigan Warriors' play-offs win

[nathan_rugby]

Id play Tommy at 9 but in order to reduce the workload id split the pitch in 3 and say if the POTB is on the left GW acts at 9, middle TL and right JS save Tommy having to track the ball around the field

That surely isn't a serious suggestion.

[nathan_rugby]

Whatever we do, we must use French's blistering pace. It could make the difference. Might be worth having him at No 9 to make yards down the middle at the PTB.

Have you just suggested playing French in a position he has never played before, against the best team in the league, in the most important game of our season?

[fozzieskem]

Whatever we do, we must use French's blistering pace. It could make the difference. Might be worth having him at No 9 to make yards down the middle at the PTB.

Have you just suggested playing French in a position he has never played before, against the best team in the league, in the most important game of our season?

Most important game of the season till next week

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

Whatever we do, we must use French's blistering pace. It could make the difference. Might be worth having him at No 9 to make yards down the middle at the PTB.

But he’s not a hooker & can’t provide the defence we need there!

It’s not just defence, it’s about distribution, vision and good decision making. Hooker is arguably the most important position in modern day rugby league. Horses for courses for me, it should be either Tommy or Amir. We made a mistake by not reinforcing the No, 9 position this season.

[nathan_rugby]

Whatever we do, we must use French's blistering pace. It could make the difference. Might be worth having him at No 9 to make yards down the middle at the PTB.

But he’s not a hooker & can’t provide the defence we need there!

It’s not just defence, it’s about distribution, vision and good decision making. Hooker is arguably the most important position in modern day rugby league. Horses for courses for me, it should be either Tommy or Amir. We made a mistake by not reinforcing the No, 9 position this season.

Tommy to 9 100%.

Have Lockers or Sammut in the halves.

Amir on the bench to cover Tommy if and when he needs a rest.

One of French / Burgess / Marshall to be dropped to make way.

[bertina]

Whatever we do, we must use French's blistering pace. It could make the difference. Might be worth having him at No 9 to make yards down the middle at the PTB.

But he’s not a hooker & can’t provide the defence we need there!

It’s not just defence, it’s about distribution, vision and good decision making. Hooker is arguably the most important position in modern day rugby league. Horses for courses for me, it should be either Tommy or Amir. We made a mistake by not reinforcing the No, 9 position this season.

I've not seen enough of Amir this season to comment on his form, but if you could have the confidence to put him in as a direct replacement for Powell, it saves having to disrupt any of the other positions.
No doubt Lam will be pondering all these options, and he is better informed than us to make the correct decision.

[Southern Softy]

Whatever we do, we must use French's blistering pace. It could make the difference. Might be worth having him at No 9 to make yards down the middle at the PTB.

Have you just suggested playing French in a position he has never played before, against the best team in the league, in the most important game of our season?

I expect so. The element of surprise. Hooker no longer means what it used to do. It's a position for a tackler(which is why Tommy is good there - but can he do 80 minutes?) or for someone who tackles and makes inroads and breaks the defence line - Roby & Daryl Clark come to mind. We never seem to be able to find someone who can make those yards, which can decide a match.
His career has seen him playing at full-back, stand-off and on the wing. All those positions seem to be filled at the moment, so...…………………..

Of course, we could always play him on the left wing like Morgan Escare.

[Southern Softy]

Whatever we do, we must use French's blistering pace. It could make the difference. Might be worth having him at No 9 to make yards down the middle at the PTB.

But he’s not a hooker & can’t provide the defence we need there!

It’s not just defence, it’s about distribution, vision and good decision making. Hooker is arguably the most important position in modern day rugby league. Horses for courses for me, it should be either Tommy or Amir. We made a mistake by not reinforcing the No, 9 position this season.

Which would seem to suggest that SOL would be suited for the position, which wouldn't be right.

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

But he’s not a hooker & can’t provide the defence we need there!

It’s not just defence, it’s about distribution, vision and good decision making. Hooker is arguably the most important position in modern day rugby league. Horses for courses for me, it should be either Tommy or Amir. We made a mistake by not reinforcing the No, 9 position this season.

Which would seem to suggest that SOL would be suited for the position, which wouldn't be right.

No, we need someone that can pass from the floor with speed and accuracy.

[fozzieskem]

Whatever we do, we must use French's blistering pace. It could make the difference. Might be worth having him at No 9 to make yards down the middle at the PTB.

Have you just suggested playing French in a position he has never played before, against the best team in the league, in the most important game of our season?

I expect so. The element of surprise. Hooker no longer means what it used to do. It's a position for a tackler(which is why Tommy is good there - but can he do 80 minutes?) or for someone who tackles and makes inroads and breaks the defence line - Roby & Daryl Clark come to mind. We never seem to be able to find someone who can make those yards, which can decide a match.
His career has seen him playing at full-back, stand-off and on the wing. All those positions seem to be filled at the moment, so...…………………..

Of course, we could always play him on the left wing like Morgan Escare.

French isn’t a half back for me,he’s a winger or fullback,we have in my opinion the best full back in super league in Zak so the question now has to be asked,given the amount of wingers the club has why was he signed?

He’s fast for sure but but so is Marshall and when Budgie remembers how fast he is,he can sprint too,he won’t go as hooker,that’ll be Shorrocks or Tommy.