The Jon Wilkin Debate : Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:33 pm  

Here are the posts culled from the 19 man squad for Hull thread, all in chronological order as posted originally. The debate pretty much started from here...

TS...

St pete wrote:

Dixon and ashurst are not good enough IMO. I got slated on here a while back for saying that both will be playing for teams like Salford or Leigh in next few years and i still stand by what I said.

Yeah, but, Pete, you still slag off Wilkin and even if we take away his value in attack, he is a monster tackler! So it's no surprise really if maybe people don't take your views on young, hardly tried players seriously is it.

Dixon worked hard last season although Ashurst got left behind. Simmons didn't play either of them until he had no senior staff left, which perhaps suggests that he isn't overly impressed with them himself. With stats like those quoted, they are poor if we are looking at competing for top honours this season. However, just now we don't have much choice but to play them. I just hope Simmons doesn't put them on the pitch at the same time!

Magennis needs to learn how to hold on to the ball. At every match so far he has dropped the ball at least once, giving away possession at vital times. But other than that he seems to be doing ok given his limited first grade experience and having to play with broken nose/recovering dislocated finger/leg hanging off/name your injury.

Re: 19 man squad for Hull announced : Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:41 pm  

Saintsfan, how many times do I need to tell you that I don't think wilkin is crap! I think he's not lived up to the player I think he should have been.

As I've said, he had all the tools to be top class player at super league and international level but he's now turned into a work horse with no class.

He's been left behind by other good young backrows in the game now. All people ever talk about is "THAT" game at Leeds yet that's years ago now and never ever got near that level again.

IMO he's a wasted talent that had the world at his feet in 2006 and is now a good hard working tackle machine. Hardly the skillfull 13 we all thought he'd be.

Re: 19 man squad for Hull announced : Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:44 pm  

I've got to say, as much of a workhorse, reliable and solid player Wilkin is.

He's not a patch on Scully, and that disappoints me. I never thought he was the next Scully, but could of been better then he is.

Re: 19 man squad for Hull announced : Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:46 pm  

St pete wrote:

As I've said, he had all the tools to be top class player at super league and international level but he's now turned into a work horse with no class.

You see, you are talking rubbish again about Wilkin! He was looking very classy at loose before the England training squad injured him. He needs regular game time in his chosen position under a good coach and he will do just fine. Meanwhile, he's an awesome tackler, he can run good lines and he can kick a nifty ball when in the mood. That will have to do until we find ourselves with a team again.

Should that ever happen.

Re: 19 man squad for Hull announced : Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:49 pm  

BackrowSaint wrote:

I've got to say, as much of a workhorse, reliable and solid player Wilkin is.

He's not a patch on Scully, and that disappoints me. I never thought he was the next Scully, but could of been better then he is.

Exactly. That's what I'm trying to say!

I think wilkin works hard but he was touted at another version of scully and IMO looked the ideal replacement. Nobody expected him to be as good as scully as that was near impossible but he should have filled the gap scully left but ain't got anywhere near it.

I'll never knock his work rate but it's fustrating when he had everything to kick on to be a great player but just couldn't do it.

Re: 19 man squad for Hull announced : Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:57 pm  

St pete wrote:

I think wilkin works hard but he was touted at another version of scully and IMO looked the ideal replacement. Nobody expected him to be as good as scully as that was near impossible but he should have filled the gap scully left but ain't got anywhere near it.

Maybe if people didn't expect him to be Scully those people would see his qualities instead of putting him down for not being like Scully. Shenton is doing an admirable job at centre. He isn't Gidley though and it would be totally unfair and stupid to expect him to be. However, he has scored tries, been a monster in defence and fed to his winger when appropriate. Hardly put a foot wrong in fact. But he isn't Gidley. Never will be. So what? So what if Wilkin is nothing like Scully? Wilkin is a damn fine player and has shown some real class just when we have needed it, not to mention been utterly consistent in defence.

Re: 19 man squad for Hull announced : Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:57 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

You see, you are talking rubbish again about Wilkin! He was looking very classy at loose before the England training squad injured him. He needs regular game time in his chosen position under a good coach and he will do just fine. Meanwhile, he's an awesome tackler, he can run good lines and he can kick a nifty ball when in the mood. That will have to do until we find ourselves with a team again.

Should that ever happen.

So it's me your going to fight with tonight because I don't agree with you. You must be giving Brian the night off. I noticed you was having a heated debate on wigans board as well.

Ok, I'll ask you this.

Do you think Jon wilkin has lived up to his potential?

And your little pop at me not knowing about young players, why don't you ask the under 10s I coach if I know nothing about young players. Why don't you ask all the kids parents I coach.


I'm getting pretty sick of coming on this board and either having a heated debate with you because you don't agree with something.

Im getting pretty sick of coming on this board and just seeing you fight with someone on every thread!

I even left our board the other night as you was fighting with someone on nearly every thread. Next thing you turn up on the pies board and start a fight on there.

Re: 19 man squad for Hull announced : Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:59 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

Maybe if people didn't expect him to be Scully those people would see his qualities instead of putting him down for not being like Scully. Shenton is doing an admirable job at centre. He isn't Gidley though and it would be totally unfair and stupid to expect him to be. However, he has scored tries, been a monster in defence and fed to his winger when appropriate. Hardly put a foot wrong in fact. But he isn't Gidley. Never will be. So what? So what if Wilkin is nothing like Scully? Wilkin is a damn fine player and has shown some real class just when we have needed it, not to mention been utterly consistent in defence.

I think you and Pete are getting mixed up so I'll try and help.

You both think he is a very good player for a start.

However, Pete thinks he showed class and great potential back in 2006 but hasn't developed as he thought he would. BUT he is still a very good player, just disappointed he's not even better.

Re: 19 man squad for Hull announced : Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:59 pm  

BackrowSaint wrote:

Me too, I just hope the situation doesn't go any further and somebody gets forced in who really isn't ready. At that point I hope Royce has some common sense and protects the young players.

Simmons won't have any choice but to play young players because that's the hand he has been dealt. Some may be played who aren't yet ready but unless there is a physical risk involved, where is the harm in giving a young lad some experience? Scott Moore had his debut at 16. No harm done there. If he's good enough, he's old enough. Experience comes with game time. No brainer really. Only physical issues should stop a player being played IMO if he has the ability.

Re: 19 man squad for Hull announced : Sat Apr 30, 2011 8:01 pm  

St pete wrote:

Blather

Shut up Pete. I'm not fighting with anyone. I'm defending Wilkin from your unrealistic expectations of him. I'm not the first one to do that and I won't be the last.

Put the mouse down and go watch some TV.