So here it is the big one, the match we’ve been waiting for, is it just me or does it seem we’ve been waiting months for this? The Challenge Cup Semi-final, a mouth-watering prospect but I feel I don’t really need to give it the big up or even much of a preview as I’m sure you’ve all imagined how the day and the game will go about a thousand times. One thing I do know that come kick off on Sunday there will be a wall of noise from near 5,000 proud Salford fans and boy will they know we’re there. Red Army.
Battle 1 – Ian Watson v Shaun Wane
Possible the biggest key battle I’ve written about, these two men, both of whom are native of the communities they represent an oddity, hold the key to which side will be walking out at Wembley next month. Master and apprentice maybe not but Shaun Wane holds a massive advantage when it comes to coaching teams in massive matches like this one but then as we’ve seen over the past two seasons Ian Watson has a few surprises up his sleeves and will have his troops fully prepared for this.
Battle 2 – Michael Dobson v Sean O’Loughlin
No, I realise they don’t play the same position and I haven’t gone mad but these two are likely to be the skippers on Sunday and both are massively influential to their sides. O’Loughlin has been there and seen it all in over 400 Wigan matches and will have the knowhow to guide Wigan around the park and instruct them where and when they are required. “Dobbo” has been massive for us this season and is a real leader to this young team, again a wealth of experience to call upon he could well be the key to our success.
Battle 3 – Todd Carney v George Williams
Well at the start of the season I said it can’t be bad having Todd Carney as your back-up half back and despite him maybe not hitting his straps to often in a red shirt Sunday is tailor made for him to express his bag of undoubtable tricks. Wigan won’t have seen much of him this season to judge what effect he’ll have on Salford but hey will know he has everything in his locker to turn in a man of the match performance. England international Williams has been magnificent in what has been a frustrating and injury hit campaign at the DW and he appears to have been impervious to the constant swapping and changing of personnel a real star now and for the future for me the real dangerman in the Wigan ranks.
Previous meetings
Form guide
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