Wigan squad for Warrington (R19)

[No straw damn us]

According to Matt Peet on Wigan tv Leeming is not fit enough to play tonight.

[Firestarter]

According to Matt Peet on Wigan tv Leeming is not fit enough to play tonight.

Thats strange considering hes in the squad

[KieronC]

Could we see Kruise relieve Farrimond in the halves for a short spell?

I'm not a fan of using players in unfamiliar positions, but, given that Field and French are out, I think it could be an option.

Interesting idea, Morley. I was wondering is it more because you think Leeming can add something to the halves (given those who are missing) or because Farrimond might need a break? A bit of both perhaps?

[widdenoldboy]

According to Matt Peet on Wigan tv Leeming is not fit enough to play tonight.

Thats strange considering hes in the squad

I'd guess that the interview came before the squad announcement?

[Charriots Offiah]

According to Matt Peet on Wigan tv Leeming is not fit enough to play tonight.

Personally, I’d sooner we play guys who are fit.

[morley pie eater]

Could we see Kruise relieve Farrimond in the halves for a short spell?

I'm not a fan of using players in unfamiliar positions, but, given that Field and French are out, I think it could be an option.

Interesting idea, Morley. I was wondering is it more because you think Leeming can add something to the halves (given those who are missing) or because Farrimond might need a break? A bit of both perhaps?

Yes, as I said, I'm not normally for playing players out of position. But Farrimond has been "dropped in at the deep end" and a bad performance could set him back.
Leeming's skills could be adapted to playing in the halves, and his defence should be up to playing there too.

Anyhow, as we've since heard that he's still injured, we'll have to leave it for another day.

[Ipinwigan]

Keighran missing as well as Leeming.
With Bevan being injured in training, is Keighran's absence due to a training injury as well, if so what the hell is going on.

[EagleEyePie]

I'm hoping we respond to last weekend with some enthusiasm. Wire have reached another level since we beat them in the Cup final and I think they will be targeting this game as their chance to prove it.

This is a tough period for us and with players missing it just makes the task harder, but it's nothing this team haven't faced before.

My biggest concern is our right edge defence, particularly Nsemba and Farrimond. Hull were able to target Farrimond and it's not the first time he's been exposed in defence. He's just lacking a bit of strength in the tackle or the know how to bring down bigger and stronger opponents. Nsemba isn't without his issues either and teams are starting to notice that he can get caught standing watching the ball carrier when the defence is sliding across and that can expose whoever plays alongside him in the halves. That increases the difficulty for Farrimond. Normal things for young players to have to develop and work on but it's an opportunity for teams we face. The only possible solution would be to switch the sides of Smith and Farrimond but that could be very disruptive to the attack. Having just seen the squad, Farrell playing right centre may actually help us in that respect.

I think the game plan will have to be similar to the one that worked in the cup final. We were able to dominate down the middle so that when the ball went wide they were attacking man on man with limited space. If a player has to run straight at Nsemba he won't give them an inch, it's only when teams can move us around that we become vulnerable (Hull was a slightly exaggerated example of that). If Smith can pin them back with smart kicks so we start sets defending on the front foot we can hopefully stifle their attacking threats.

It's not the end of the world if we lose but we need to keep the pressure. Getting that gap at the top of the table back will be beneficial so that we have a bit of leeway with squad rotation going into the busy start to August.

[medlocke]

I hope big bad Jonny Bateman doesn't run riot tonight

[M6 Warrior]

Anyone know the story with Keighran’s absence?