Just watched last night's game back, mid-way through the 2nd half Phil Clarke makes the point that the 17 we put out last night was our strongest for some time, and that swapping Gelling for Hughes would be the only change he would make. I'd say that Taylor for Pettybourne would be another.

We do almost have a full compliment with only Thornley out for the rest of the season, so what would people's first choice 17 be for Warrington and going in to the playoffs?

Mine would be:

Bowen
Charnley
Gelling
Sarginson
Burgess
Green
Smith
Flower
McIlorum
Crosby
Bateman
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Taylor
Clubb
Tomkins
Williams


I did toy with the idea of either Bateman or Tomkins at centre in place of Sarginson. I'm not his biggest fan at centre but I think he's a better option than putting one of the forwards in there, and credit where credit is due he played very well last night against Watkins. I'd start Bateman with Tomkins coming off the bench. It seems it was illness rather than injury that brought him off last night but I still don't think he's quite up to speed to play big minutes. I've put Williams as the bench hooking option because I think he offers something completely different. Powell does a job there but Williams is much more likely to make a break scooting from dummy half. The other option would be to stick with McIlorum for 80 minutes and have a 4th forward such as Pettybourne there.

I'd probably just swap Bateman and Tomkins round from your team there. I like that extra size that Tomkins brings early doors.

I suppose the other talking point would be that last bench spot. I like you would go for Williams. I believe he had that bit of something special where he could crack open a tight game for us and is more suited to playing in short bursts then Powell is. We may even decide to go with four forwards on the bench though.

Pettybourne went OK last night. I know we didn't sign him to be just 'OK' but he worked hard and I personally find it difficult to pick the 4 props out of the 5 (I'm assuming Dudson and James are out of the reckoning).

At our strongest i'd expect McIlorum to play 80 and have an extra forward, one of Hughes, Pettybourne and Dudson, on the bench instead of Williams or Powell.

Bowen
Charnley Gelling Sarginson Burgess
Green Smith
Taylor McIlorum Flower
Farrell Tomkins
O'Loughlin

Bateman Clubb Crosby Dudson (

)

I wouldn't have Dudson anywhere near the team for the play offs. A liability IMO.

Bowen
Charnley
Gelling
Sarg
Burgess
Green
Smith
Flower
MM
Crosby
Farrell
Tomkins
SOL

Clubb
Taylor
Bateman
Williams

I think Wane will opt for Pettybourne rather than Williams for the big games though.

On the other Wigan site someone has posted that Williams may be out for the season. www.wiganwarriorsfans.com/wigan/ ... c&o=936060

On the other Wigan site someone has posted that Williams may be out for the season. www.wiganwarriorsfans.com/wigan/ ... c&o=936060

Quote Rogues Gallery="Rogues Gallery"On the other Wigan site someone has posted that Williams may be out for the season. www.wiganwarriorsfans.com/wigan/ ... c&o=936060'" Very serious unfortunately.

Quote Rogues Gallery="Rogues Gallery"On the other Wigan site someone has posted that Williams may be out for the season. www.wiganwarriorsfans.com/wigan/ ... c&o=936060'" Very serious unfortunately.

If Williams is out then it's Powell off the bench.
I'd go with EW's squad with Taylor and Clubb off the bench as they keep up the intensity.
We lost it last night when Flower and Crosby went off. The strapping on Clubb's leg does seem to be protecting an injury.
Gelling is a shoe in for the 3 shirt and Sargy made the 4 position his own after last night's performance.
That's the best team performance for a while and if that can be built upon then we could be going in the right direction.
Thursday's game is now massive.

Heard a rumour about the Williams 'injury' and was hoping it wasn't true, is the groin surgery confirmed? In comparison to what I heard, that would be good news.

Sounds like something I heard also. I would much rather it be the groin thats the problem. *fingers crossed*

Obviously lots of people have 'heard something'. Is it a big secret or can you share it with the rest of us?

Wouldn't really like to post it on a public forum especially when it's not confirmed.