I agree, on GMR on way home, he mentioned Lockers @ 6, i think he will go with that and another forward to the bench.

Good God, I hope not! Totally detracts from O'Loughlin's game and what he brings to the team. How many times do we have to try this before realising it doesn't do ANYTHING for the team. He isn't a 6. It's that simple.

Joel might be banned for kicking out like a big baby.



We can go with O'Loughlin at 6 as Sam effectively plays as a second 6 from full back anyway and play Feka on the bench.



Agree with the OP though, we are a much better team with Deacon in it.

I don't think Joel to centre is an option.



A back on the bench would usually be a waste of time due to the normal lack of injuries sustained and would just take up a valuable bench spot. Unfortunate the way injuries went last night but I would hope that we would put Sam to 6 and either Roberts, Richards or Phelps to fullback for HKR

Unfortunate, but surely to be considered in the selection policy?



Our bench last night ensured that an injury to ONE of our numbers 1,6 and 7 would completely screw our creativity and leave us with no direction. That is not a sensible bench.



As for choosing Lockers at 6 in the next game. If MM does that then he is an idiot.

But 9 times out of 10 we won't have an injury to a back so it's a waste of a bench spot. Look at the way other teams choose their bench. It's very rare that they'd have a back sitting there.



agree 100%

we just can't keep sam at 1 now. Yes he is impressive there but we have nobody controlling the game in the halves. Leuluai doesn't seem to be able to control the game and lockers is just a make shift 6. Personally I'd line up



1. Roberts

2. Goulding

3. Gleeson

4. Carmont

5. Richards

6. Sam

7. Leuluai

8. Fielden

9. Riddell

10. Coley

11. Farrell

12. Joel Tomkins if banned Hansen

13. O'Loughlin



14. Prescott who needs to significantly improve on last night

15. McIllorum as above

16. Feka

17. Hansen/Tuson if joel is banned.

I can see where you are coming from, but I do think the risk of not having some form of cover for an injury to 1,6 or 7 is too high.



Maybe one bench spot should always go to a second row/centre "hybrid"?



Surely this is preferable to gambling on no injury?

I think the problem is Wigan don't have that sort of player - Saints are very lucky with being able to play Roby pretty much anywhere other than prop if the need arises.



You didn't need a back on the bench - you needed to shift Sam up into the halves.

I agree with that and that is were Bailey was useful in his first year with us. The difficulty is finding someone who is good in both positions. At a push I suppose Tomkins could move to there but he was poor in the last game he was moved there and we also lost his threat in the pack.



We need a Sam Panapa

I'm not a big fan of Phelps, but in the last few reserve games he's looked better than Roberts (who still isn't fully recovered, IMO), and has been kicking 40-20's for fun (admittedly on a smaller pitch).

For a man who is desperately in need of a contract somewhere, bringing Phelps back could be very interesting...