Father Ted

I hope there isn't a red card. There should have been one last week at Cas when Horne absolutely coat hangered Farrimond. Then he (Horne) gets 6 match ban for trying to lift Ellis off the floor. Smith is referee tonight. Hope we don't get the refereeing freak show we got at our place in round one v Leigh from L Moore.

On the Super League site they show Cas match stats as 32 missed tackles, 10 errors and 2 missed goals. I do think perhaps that all that lot together is 42 mistakes contributed to their loss more than 1 referee error.

Of course Field and French make a difference to Wigan when they play as opposed to when they don't. That's why Wigan employ them and pay them the money they do, to win the club games. So far it seems to be working ok. Wigan may have the biggest spend but any club can out spend Wigan if they so wish as long as they comply with the salary cap. Which obviously Wigan do. As for the VR decision being the game changer and Wigan getting the decision. Maybe so, maybe not! What was the worst decision of the night was the penalty given against Cas for the head shot on Farrimond. That was a send off every day of the week. Direct to the head, no mitigation as Farrimond wasn't falling and at the stage in the game when Wigan were being 20-18. It was also a try denying head shot. The Cas player was beaten and JF would have scored but for the forearm into his head. A penalty try anyone? We can all claim our team was hard done by decisions but lets all watch the whole game not just the bits that disadvantage our team.

Hopefully someone will suggest that Wigan based officials shouldn't be officiating in Wigan games. Was that decision the difference between Castleford winning and losing the game?

Hull by 24

Leeds by 18. Wire really down after last week and with Dufty missing a lot of their remaining pace will be in the stands.

Wigan but not by many. As said above Hudds 2nd half v Leigh was impressive. Repeat that and the Giants will make a good game of it.

HKR all night, by 24.

The reason I wrote that was Odsal and its high cost maintenance was the cause of their repeated financial problems. Unless the Bulls have a wealthy backer then those past problems will persist. That was why I mentioned ground sharing in a new stadium with Huddersfield. From a ground that is beyond Bradford's ability to finance safely a new stadium would rid both clubs of their current problems. In a new stadium Bradford could be in SL and if on field results were good they'd stay there without financial worries.

Salford going out due to financial troubles and being replaced by Bradford is just about as wrong as it can get. Since Bradford last won the SL Grand Final how many forms of the Bulls have gone into administration? Usually after having to meet the astronomical costs of maintaining Odsal to Health and Safety standards. I'm sure the level of money spent on players both first team and academy is very good but it will all be for nothing if they are struggling with the costs of running Odsal. Odsal is a financial sink hole and the Bulls should be thinking of a new stadium. Has anyone thought about Bradford sharing with Huddersfield on the border near the M62? A new modern stadium could solve the problems of both clubs. Controversial probably but a new purpose built stadium could resolve troubles both clubs are currently facing.

At Wigan, lately Bevan French. Historically Billy Boston, Jim Sullivan, Lance Todd, Charlie Seeling. Could go on with Andy Farrell, Shaun Edwards and so on.

If Salford's players are not paid Friday morning then they are saying they won't play. Not good for Rugby League in any way at all.

Can't see Leeds losing at home. Rhinos by 12.

Catalans were very poor last week. Hull FC were excellent at Leigh.

Leigh to try and get a win against a really poor Huddersfield squad.

\ We'll find out next Friday! Looks like Wigan might be more concerned about keeping Salford to 0 than the number they score.

I'd like to know the revenue 10k fans at Catalans generate compared to the same number at an English SL club.

Wigan in control and winning mode after 15/16 mins. From thereon with ball in hand not good but defence has been excellent. Especially early in the game when Smith went 8-1 up in pens to Catalans. Even with all those pens and Wigan mistakes their attack looked clueless. Some poor play at time from Wigan but some their tries were quite brilliant. A highlights reel well worth watching.

Wigan by quite a few.

Should help Saints points difference.

Leeds by 20

Leigh took advantage when Wigan went 28-6 up and became complacent. If Hull FC do go in front they'll have to go the full 80 to win with no letting up.

Thomas Bosc always seems to be around their games are televised, is he not an assistant coach?

Wigan by a lot.

Last week McNamara had reason to complain about his team losing. This week it will be an excuse for their loss.