Will be interesting if/when Pryce is unavailable whether we go Eastmond/Wheeler/Wilkin at 6.



You'd expect Pryce not being available would benefit Eastmond but I think in a round about way it will limit his opportunities, as I can see Wheeler being preferred at 6 and Potter not wanting 2 kids in the halves - meaning Long plays more.



I might be in a minority, but I think Wheeler is a better player than Eastmond, oozes class.



Anyway sorry Wiganers, back to Ainscough . . .

Hmmm I see everyone's points, they are all good points..



But, I'm the same age as Ainsy, and I want to play every week if possible, but your mind can overpower your body, it's good to have that extra rest very so often, your nerves and adrenaline can sometimes cover up the fact that you are fatigued, if that makes sense. He'd of been gutted not to be picked, but be happy with the rest. A rest away from the match pressure.



I agree yes, could of played him, could of scored a hat-trick, but I think we have more important problems that the Super League Top Try Scorer

If Ainscough is our main attacking threat and we need him to play against the bigger teams then that is even less of a reason to rest him against Celtic. He is not the finished article and you can not improve your game carrying water.



Add to this the player who actually needed a rest was clearly Richards we ended up risking our first choice goal kicker when we had a fully fit player available.



If he isn't going to play the full season you rest Ainscough against the tough teams and you play him in the less difficult fixtures. This has [ualways[/u been the sensible approach to blooding young players, not the other way around.



If on the other hand he is such a key player he must play v Leeds etc he won't benefit from not playing in the easy games.



There was just no logic to dropping him at all.



Dave

Correct. If you're resting him [ifor his own benefit[/i you rest him against Saints, not Celtic.

Well that is why Noble said he rested him - duty of care and all that. Not because he was saving him for the big games as some are suggesting.



Dave

Anybody fancy Long back at Wigan for a year working with Tomkins ??

No.

No one is saying he's the finished article and of course he needs to work on certain aspects of his game but still he was due a rest imo. Again Celtic being as poor as they are means we wouldn't miss our best attacking weapon.







Disagree with this one sorry. IMO Richards is struggling for form this season and needs a constant run of games in one position which is something he hasn't had. I really think it’s been a stop & start season with injury and playing wing/FB.







Ainscough is the exception to the rule as he’s our best winger already imo. Other young players even ones like Roby are very rarely their teams best attacking threat a few games after making their debut. They are brought in against the likes of Celtic so more senior players are rested and they gain experience. This isn’t the case with Ainscough







He’ll benefit in the big games as he won’t be burned out. RL is a squad game and Celtic was a good chance to give others a go.

Stranger things have happened before, dont right it off yet........

I'll be the first to say yes, taking the rivalry aside for a second I actually wouldn't mind Longy back in a Wigan shirt. Ok he might be picking up injuries but he's still a major threat in that Saints side when he does play. His field positional kicking is arguably one of the best in the league, something we haven't had at Wigan since Barrett left. Our field positional kicking at times this year has been nothing short of crap and that is something that Longy does have in his game that is still good. Would also allow Tommy and Piggy to rotate at hooker where I and many posters on here think Tommy is better suited.

These may all be valid points but we have to have some pride! We let him go in the biggest travesty of a transfer deal in the entire history of RL then take him back 12 yrs later? You have got to be joking!

I see what you're saying but the way our club is going lately it wouldn't be that bad of a deal. Not that I'm saying anythings actually going to happen but regardless of what happened first time round I wouldn't be bothered by it now. Especially when alot of the pride has gone out of the club anyway according to so many on here in recent years.