I think JH has been bringing him on at times with 2 props already on the pitch. JH once said he does not see Ashworth’s longterm position is as prop. For me although still learning he can play a couple of positions. He’s aggressive and without Lees we don’t have any grub aggression. That said I think the other player who is becoming a bit of a grub is Bentley. He likes the niggle.
Humans are more concerned with having than being.
I think there are two people's performances that are crucial on Friday Firstly Coote, who in is absence and recovery to form, made it easier for teams to target and stifle Lomax. If he plays well in attack there is less pressure on Lomax and both of them torment Wigan. Secondly, the referee, who if he stops the Pies unfairly slowing down our PTB, will see us dominate in the forwards as man for man they are no match for us. Game over!
Obviously depends on the weather but I cannot see the rent boys wanting to take us on down the middle. I would expect them to get the ball to Gildart at every opportunity.
Wigan's pack was a bit of a joke earlier in the season, but they are a different beast now that Smithies, Partington and Byrne have stepped up to the plate. I still think we have a better pack than they do, but not by the sort of distance we did in the earlier derbies this year. It'll be tough.
Lot of negativity regarding Ashworth.
Certainly not lit up this season but equally not had a stinker either.
A bit late in the day for chopping and changing.
However I would start him with Thompson.
He would definately get the carries and hopefully see the offloads that caught all our eyes last season.
Walmsley then comes off the bench.
When Ashworth and Lees were brought on as a pair they both seemed most effective.
This season the staggering of the introduction of the 3rd and 4th prop then hold back the 5th seems to have
stiffled Ashworth,Lees and Amor to a degree.
The new narrative of sliming down Ashworth to SR is in complete contrast to Holbrooks own analysis that
Ashworth's future lies at prop.
He reminds me of Ian Pickervance in many ways. So much potential but stuttering at the moment.
Negativity? It's people rightly saying he hasn't played very well over the season. I don't see the issue with that.
Good analogy with Ian Pickervance who I also thought was a better SR than prop. I've said more than once Ashworth will look a different player after losing a bit of weight and running wider.
Its going to be a tough night tomorrow for both teams, but I have faith in the lads to go on and get the win, in which the forwards will be tested to the limit.
COYS
Been excited for this game all week! Looking forward to this fixture since they beat Salford last week. Really looking forward to the game tomorrow!
Come on you Saints.
Salford have shown tonight what it takes to win these big games. Very much the game that has done for us in recent years. That is, dominate the tackle and slow the ptb just enough to stay the right side of legality. Don’t get me wrong, some good performances in attack too (Bibey, Evalds, Hastings...) but it’s the ability to slow potentially creative teams down that wins these big ones. Unfortunately that’s the speciality of the Pies, but our amazing defence this year is more than capable of doing it too. COYS
It's game day!!!
Can not wait.
Come on Saints give us a big performance and smash this lot and get us back to Old Trafford!!!!!