Lam previews St Helens

[Warriors News]

• Head Coach Adrian Lam looks ahead to Tuesday’s Betfred Super League encounter with local rivals St Helens.
• Lam: “I’m really excited about it.”
• Wigan Warriors vs St Helens, Tuesday 29th September, AJ Bell Stadium, K.O. 7:45pm.

Head Coach Adrian Lam has stressed the heightened importance of squad depth in 2020 ahead of tomorrow’s derby clash with St Helens (K.O. 7:45pm).

The Cherry and Whites head to the AJ Bell Stadium on Tuesday evening to take on local rivals Saints in their first meeting of the 2020 Betfred Super League season.

On Sunday the Papua New Guinean named a 21-man squad with 10 changes from the one that faced Wakefield in Round 13 (Learn more HERE).

Speaking to the media via zoom link on Monday morning, Lam discussed the reasons behind his reshuffled squad.

Lam addressing the media via Zoom link on Monday morning.

“With so many games coming up, we’ve had to try and balance everything. I imagine it’s the same for most Clubs.

“It is a long season and I think it will be the teams with the strongest squads who are there come the end of the season.”

With a number of first-team players rested for the Coral Challenge Cup Semi Final on Saturday against Leeds Rhinos, the Head Coach discussed the potential for some young players to make their first appearances for Wigan.

“There will be some players who make their debuts tomorrow night.

“It’s a strong team we a putting out there and we are going there to win. It’s a tightly-knit group and they are all up for this.”

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First team training ahead of Tuesday’s derby clash.

Wigan’s youth system is renowned for consistently bringing through fresh talent to the Wigan squad and the Betfred Super League as a whole.

Speaking about the current crop of youngsters looking to break into the first team setup, Lam said: “The players we have coming through here right across the board that are great young men.

“They have plenty to learn but each of them brings their own box of tricks which is special.”

The boss knows only too well how a young group of players can succeed against St Helens, having played in the famous derby victory of 2003.

With nine first-teamers out injured, a mix of experience and youth overcame a strong Saints team, who were then the current Super League champions.

In light of that iconic win, Lam highlighted how it had been part of this week’s match preparations.

The #SuperLeague table after Round 13

Which team is the biggest challenger to the current top four? pic.twitter.com/W5WK5pcc7A

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 26, 2020

Both Wigan and Saints occupy places in the sought-after top four.

“I mentioned to them that I was in a similar situation to them many years ago. That we were underdogs. It’s a memory I’ll never forget. 

“They have an opportunity tomorrow night to create their own legacy there.” 

Aside of the youngsters potentially involved on Tuesday, Lam also highlighted how the game provides an opportunity for more established first team players to stake a claim for his best 17.

“Those players [fringe players] have a point to prove, so they need to go in with a lot of energy, because there’s players playing for a potential spot in the final 17. That’s why I’m really excited about it.”

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