Bradford and Salford games. : Tue Jul 22, 2014 6:48 pm  

Shaun Wane's squad selection for the Bradford match will be interesting as we then play Salford after only a four day turnaround. We know what happened when we went to Wakey after just a four day break.

Today SW has said Blake Green and Iain Thornley are a couple of weeks away. In a couple of weeks we don't have a game due to the C Cup semis. Maybe he's looking to bring them back early for the Salford game?

When SKY changed the game it did worry me that a game which we would expect to win became a game that will be a struggle. SKY knew this when they moved the game from a Friday to Thursday giving Salford 6 days and us four.
Was this trying to make an uncompetitive game competitive for TV purposes? If so then they are taking the game in areas they should not be dealing with. If they are trying to manipulate the League table by pulling stunts like this then they need telling and very firmly. Where does player welfare come in all this? Obviously nowhere!

I hope we win them both and well but we all need to get down to the DW for the Salford game to give our support to the lads who will need it.

Re: Bradford and Salford games. : Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:16 pm  

The Salford game will be tough. They've really turned a corner and are now playing some good attacking rugby. The pace in their backline could worry us.

As for our situation I heard Waney on radio Manchester earlier saying Bowen will get another rest this week and will be back for Salford. He does have Goulding and Crosby back in contention for Sunday which is pleasing. If we can then get Green and Thornley back in 2 to 3 weeks we're looking pretty healthy for a change. I also heard them saying Tomkins will be fit in a couple of weeks also.

Hopefully Micky Mac won't be far at the back of them. He's the biggest miss for me and even more so in play off games.

Re: Bradford and Salford games. : Thu Jul 24, 2014 12:34 pm  

Salford are playing Leeds on Friday (again changed due to Sky) this fixture gives us a 4 day turn-a-round whereas Leeds who played Cas last Thursday have 7 days.

Swings and roundabouts.

Re: Bradford and Salford games. : Thu Jul 24, 2014 1:54 pm  

John Gilbert Reds wrote:

Salford are playing Leeds on Friday (again changed due to Sky) this fixture gives us a 4 day turn-a-round whereas Leeds who played Cas last Thursday have 7 days.

Swings and roundabouts.

Nail on the head. Talk of SKY deliberately manipulating fixtures to make them more competitive is absurd. Some folk aren't happy unless they are playing the victim.

Re: Bradford and Salford games. : Thu Jul 24, 2014 4:19 pm  

But I thought Wigan had the best squad with loads of superstar kids ready to play incase of injuries?

Re: Bradford and Salford games. : Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:29 pm  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

Nail on the head. Talk of SKY deliberately manipulating fixtures to make them more competitive is absurd. Some folk aren't happy unless they are playing the victim.

Just out of curiosity how many times have Saints had a Sunday/Thursday turnaround this season?
I've stated many times that it shouldn't happen and is not allowed in Aus. If you play Sunday then you should not be made to play Thursday, I've argued it since day one of the Thursday fixtures.
I'm not talking about Sky manipulating the fixtures, I'm talking about common sense.

Re: Bradford and Salford games. : Thu Jul 24, 2014 6:43 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Just out of curiosity how many times have Saints had a Sunday/Thursday turnaround this season?
I've stated many times that it shouldn't happen and is not allowed in Aus. If you play Sunday then you should not be made to play Thursday, I've argued it since day one of the Thursday fixtures.
I'm not talking about Sky manipulating the fixtures, I'm talking about common sense.

I don't know is the answer to the original question. There's plenty places you can find that info though.

You may be right in that it isn't common sense; that's a completely different argument. My post was in response to somebody suggesting SKY are deliberately hampering Wigan and making their games more even.

Re: Bradford and Salford games. : Thu Jul 24, 2014 9:52 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

Shaun Wane's squad selection for the Bradford match will be interesting as we then play Salford after only a four day turnaround. We know what happened when we went to Wakey after just a four day break.

Today SW has said Blake Green and Iain Thornley are a couple of weeks away. In a couple of weeks we don't have a game due to the C Cup semis. Maybe he's looking to bring them back early for the Salford game?

When SKY changed the game it did worry me that a game which we would expect to win became a game that will be a struggle. SKY knew this when they moved the game from a Friday to Thursday giving Salford 6 days and us four.
Was this trying to make an uncompetitive game competitive for TV purposes? If so then they are taking the game in areas they should not be dealing with. If they are trying to manipulate the League table by pulling stunts like this then they need telling and very firmly. Where does player welfare come in all this? Obviously nowhere!

I hope we win them both and well but we all need to get down to the DW for the Salford game to give our support to the lads who will need it.

Wow, some quality arrogance coming over there

Re: Bradford and Salford games. : Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:21 pm  

MatautiaVila wrote:

Wow, some quality arrogance coming over there

Surely not!?

Re: Bradford and Salford games. : Fri Jul 25, 2014 12:41 am  

MatautiaVila wrote:

Wow, some quality arrogance coming over there

It is allowed, indeed expected. After all, we are double title holders, dontcha know