Wigan squads for Derby double-header

[EagleEyePie]

I thought it was a really great effort. All the talk was going to be about how many players Saints had missing but crucially they did have a very good starting pack of forwards and they had 3 very good playmakers in Clarke, Lomax and Welsby. They were always going to pose a threat as long as their forwards allowed them some opportunities and that turned out to be the case.

We were pretty dominant in the pack early on but that dual hookers we were using just didn't work in my opinion. Farrell seemed to play 9 a lot more in our own half, meaning he wasn't always available for the carries and Farrimond was never going to see much of the ball in our own half. Then as we got further up the field Farrimond seemed to jump into 9 more and while his distribution was quicker it left us with only one playmaker, so all Saints had to do was keep an eye on Smith as our only ball player because Eckersley is a different type of fullback to someone like French. I think that's why we struggled so much to make the most of our field position. When Farrell went into 9 more often later in the game we were more threatening because Farrimond and Smith could work together. Even when Farrell was at 9 though it meant we only really had one back row making runs to occupy the edge defenders, so it was still a disjointed attack. Next time I think we just stick with one hooker and keep everyone set in their positions because it just didn't seem to work.

That's the negative though on a night that's otherwise positive. We showed great character to come from behind when Saints were really getting up a head of steam. Eckersley was fantastic. That subtle dummy before he commits to a run is superb. He didn't look out of place at all. Havard was exceptional down the middle. His work rate is incredible. Same goes for Farrell and Ellis. Considering Faz was playing two positions at one I thought he did really well. Keighran had a strong game too. Some silly errors at times but we got the job done. It's going to be tough over the next few weeks but we've just got to keep winning.

[moto748]

when Eckersley scored, I turned to neighbour and said, Bevan Who? And we both laughed. But it isn't really funny. ZE did great, though. I knew they'd give him MotM, although Thompson should have had it really: he is a machine.

[DaveO]

When the news about Bevan was confirmed to add to the other injuries and O’Neil’s ban I was resigned to losing this one and thinking it wouldn’t matter that much given the league position so that makes the win all the sweeter.

This win is about squad depth. It’s as if Peet and the other coaches realised it wasn’t just injuries that would result in players not being available this season but you can take it as read you will have someone suspended nearly every week!

Maybe I am biased but the press seem to be concentrating on Saints young full back rather then the Wigan youngsters. Yes he had a good game but so did our young guns.

Another tough and exciting game with the defence showing up again and the forwards immense. Very happy.

[DaiJones]

Great game. We really struggled with the hooker situation and obviously any team will miss Field and French in attack but we found a way to win against a very determined and fired up opposition. What is heartening is that the narrative from Saints fans is that we were there for the taking and that they could have won with a touch more luck which is exactly the sort of thing I used to say whenever we lost to them in recent years. It does feel like a real shift has taken place and we have the culture and the talent in place now to always come up with something when we get into trouble. Having said that, I'm glad we've built up a cushion points wise as we'll have some tough tasks in the next few weeks without F & F (at least we'll have a hooker). Eckersley has huge potential. Thompson and Ellis were immense and Havard put in a tremendous shift.

As for Saints, Delaney's stats are very impressive for a young lad but you have to question why Wellens is flogging his players so much and not using his bench at all. That footage of him struggling to undo his wires at half time was almost a metaphor for the fact he looks a little lost. Shame as he is clearly an admirable man and was a fine player. Perhaps he is a Steve McClaren/Peter Taylor/ Carlos Queiroz and just a good number two not a head coach. Robertson looks a good player and that was the most useful I've seen Ritson for St Helens, Clark revelled in being up against makeshift 9s and caused us no end of trouble, Is Lomax injured? he didn't look like anything like the player of old.

I wonder if Havard will fall foul of the Disciplinary on Monday for that head clash with Lees? It seems as likely as any to be picked out of Cullen's tombola. He might want to have a look at Paasi's shot on Dupree too..."accidental head clash" the referee said over footage of a shoulder being rammed into his face!

[josie andrews]

Turned on radio. First comment came through was under strength saints side. Always gets me. Wigan are never under strength.

Enjoyable game though both teams put in an effort I was worried that Clarke would push it saints way in the end but Eckesley... what a showing.

Jenna Brooks said exactly the same to Paul Wellens the first words out of her mouth in the pre game interview

[josie andrews]

Great game. We really struggled with the hooker situation and obviously any team will miss Field and French in attack but we found a way to win against a very determined and fired up opposition. What is heartening is that the narrative from Saints fans is that we were there for the taking and that they could have won with a touch more luck which is exactly the sort of thing I used to say whenever we lost to them in recent years. It does feel like a real shift has taken place and we have the culture and the talent in place now to always come up with something when we get into trouble. Having said that, I'm glad we've built up a cushion points wise as we'll have some tough tasks in the next few weeks without F & F (at least we'll have a hooker). Eckersley has huge potential. Thompson and Ellis were immense and Havard put in a tremendous shift.

As for Saints, Delaney's stats are very impressive for a young lad but you have to question why Wellens is flogging his players so much and not using his bench at all. That footage of him struggling to undo his wires at half time was almost a metaphor for the fact he looks a little lost. Shame as he is clearly an admirable man and was a fine player. Perhaps he is a Steve McClaren/Peter Taylor/ Carlos Queiroz and just a good number two not a head coach. Robertson looks a good player and that was the most useful I've seen Ritson for St Helens, Clark revelled in being up against makeshift 9s and caused us no end of trouble, Is Lomax injured? he didn't look like anything like the player of old.

I wonder if Havard will fall foul of the Disciplinary on Monday for that head clash with Lees? It seems as likely as any to be picked out of Cullen's tombola. He might want to have a look at Paasi's shot on Dupree too..."accidental head clash" the referee said over footage of a shoulder being rammed into his face!

All played 80 minutes What an incredible performance & from the whole team

[Beaker080977]

Seems like Sky Sports have a new golden child now in Robertson. The poor hunchback will be wondering what’s happened. How is it that ekersley gets man of the match but sky sports cover the saints players more than ours?

Well done boys, big disruptions in the squad and pivotal positions but we did the job.

[josie andrews]

Seems like Sky Sports have a new golden child now in Robertson. The poor hunchback will be wondering what’s happened. How is it that ekersley gets man of the match but sky sports cover the saints players more than ours?

Well done boys, big disruptions in the squad and pivotal positions but we did the job.

I was talking to Sam Tomkins about 5 minutes before the end of the game when Brian Carney interrupted & asked who has he picked for MOM? He replied Zack Eckersley before carrying on our conversation

[fozzie58]

Well that was a tough one haha but all points in the bag now not going to cover what’s been said but I think it shows the depth of wigans squad and Peets willingness now to throw these young lads in and give them a game time it’s great to see.

Huge blow to be without French now heard it this morning but you kinda hope it’s not true then I meet up with josie who confirmed it but young eckersley won’t let anyone down nor will Farrimond but let’s hope O’Neill is back as the hooking role was,shall we say lacking somewhat shall we say but game won,job done

[josie andrews]

These are the players for each team who are missing tonight

Wigan Warriors

Bevan French (Injured)
Jai Field (Injured)
Brad O'Neil (Suspended)
Kruise Leeming (Injured)
Tom Forber (Injured)
Mike Cooper (Concussion)
Willie Isa (Injured)

St Helens

Sione Mata’utia (Injured)
Moses Mbye (Suspended)
Tommy Makinson (Injured)
Matt Whitley (Injured)
Morgan Knowles (Injured)
Joe Batchelor (Injured)
Alex Walmsley (Injured)
Jake Wingfield (Injured)