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Joe Burgess is looking razor sharp and primed for a big role in Wigan’s surge towards the play-offs.

That’s the prediction of Adrian Lam as he prepares his side for Sunday’s trip to Wakefield.

Burgess missed out on Wigan’s most recent game, a 20-6 victory against Warrington, as he nursed minor injuries.

Late-season recruit Bevan French took one of the wing spots with Liam Marshall on the other flank.

Lam has yet to decide whether to bring Burgess back in the frame this week or consider him for the following game, at home to Catalans on September 6.

But either way he believes the 24-year-old – who has scored 100 tries for the club in 110 matches – can help them cement their place in the top-three, after a dip in form by his own standards.

Lam said: “I talked to Joe before the Warrington game and he was 50-50.

“I thought, with a week off for the Challenge Cup straight after, rather than risk him, we’d play Bevan and give Budgie the opportunity to be 100 per cent fit for this week or next week.

He’s been carrying injuries and it’s tough to find form when you’re worried about your knee, your shoulder, your pec... that was the benefit of him having the week off against Warrington, because it gave him a break to get himself right.

“He’s come back to training looking sharp as anything – so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can offer us.”

Ben Flower return from a back injury has been cut short by a knee problem, while Sean O’Loughlin (Achilles) is also ruled unavailable.

Wigan are third in the table but level on points with the Wolves, who face Salford tomorrow, as well as Hull FC.

For Super League it’s great to have so many teams fighting at this stage of the season,” said Lam.

“Every team is in the mix and if they’re not, they’re in the battle at the other end.”

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/joe-bu ... -1-9960132

Nothing against budgie but French needs to play, he has that unknown factor to teams which should help us going into the play offs.

Caboosegg wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:51 pm Nothing against budgie but French needs to play, he has that unknown factor to teams which should help us going into the play offs.

have a feeling it will be marshall who makes way

Wigan_forever1985 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:06 pm

Caboosegg wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:51 pm Nothing against budgie but French needs to play, he has that unknown factor to teams which should help us going into the play offs.

have a feeling it will be marshall who makes way

You may be right, but it shouldn’t be.
Based on form Marshall has performed better than Burgess for weeks.

bertina wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:38 pm

Wigan_forever1985 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:06 pm

Caboosegg wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:51 pm Nothing against budgie but French needs to play, he has that unknown factor to teams which should help us going into the play offs.

have a feeling it will be marshall who makes way

You may be right, but it shouldn’t be.
Based on form Marshall has performed better than Burgess for weeks.

I agree that Marshall has outplayed budgie for a while now but think a couple of games off might do him so good. Too get him fully fit as he always seems to have his legs strapped up like he’s carrying an injury

Barney841 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:40 pm

bertina wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:38 pm

Wigan_forever1985 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:06 pm

have a feeling it will be marshall who makes way

You may be right, but it shouldn’t be.
Based on form Marshall has performed better than Burgess for weeks.

I agree that Marshall has outplayed budgie for a while now but think a couple of games off might do him so good. Too get him fully fit as he always seems to have his legs strapped up like he’s carrying an injury

I totally agree i dont think Marshy has ever let us down but i think its out of style to have a small winger because its perceived they are a weak link for bombs

bertina wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:38 pm

Wigan_forever1985 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:06 pm

Caboosegg wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:51 pm Nothing against budgie but French needs to play, he has that unknown factor to teams which should help us going into the play offs.

have a feeling it will be marshall who makes way

You may be right, but it shouldn’t be.
Based on form Marshall has performed better than Burgess for weeks.

Agreed,

Marshall has barely put s foot wrong while Burgess has barely put one foot in front of each other for weeks

josie andrews wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2019 10:14 am Joe Burgess is looking razor sharp and primed for a big role in Wigan’s surge towards the play-offs.

That’s the prediction of Adrian Lam as he prepares his side for Sunday’s trip to Wakefield.

Burgess missed out on Wigan’s most recent game, a 20-6 victory against Warrington, as he nursed minor injuries.

Late-season recruit Bevan French took one of the wing spots with Liam Marshall on the other flank.

Lam has yet to decide whether to bring Burgess back in the frame this week or consider him for the following game, at home to Catalans on September 6.

But either way he believes the 24-year-old – who has scored 100 tries for the club in 110 matches – can help them cement their place in the top-three, after a dip in form by his own standards.

Lam said: “I talked to Joe before the Warrington game and he was 50-50.

“I thought, with a week off for the Challenge Cup straight after, rather than risk him, we’d play Bevan and give Budgie the opportunity to be 100 per cent fit for this week or next week.

He’s been carrying injuries and it’s tough to find form when you’re worried about your knee, your shoulder, your pec... that was the benefit of him having the week off against Warrington, because it gave him a break to get himself right.

“He’s come back to training looking sharp as anything – so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can offer us.”

Ben Flower return from a back injury has been cut short by a knee problem, while Sean O’Loughlin (Achilles) is also ruled unavailable.

Wigan are third in the table but level on points with the Wolves, who face Salford tomorrow, as well as Hull FC.

For Super League it’s great to have so many teams fighting at this stage of the season,” said Lam.

“Every team is in the mix and if they’re not, they’re in the battle at the other end.”

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/joe-bu ... -1-9960132

I thought that Lockers was out because he had a pec injury, or has he picked up another?

I see no harm in giving Marshall a week off and playing Burgess if he is fit and ready to go, but it would be harsh to dump him long-term, on form or effort.

Burgess has been rubbish in attack and defence and does not deserve to walk back into the side for such an important game. It was a mistake to give him an extra year. His only motivation is to get out of wigan again as soon as he can, based on a falsely exaggerated view of his own talent.