Re: Injuries : Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:18 am  

I'm a big fan of Wheeler as a player, but I's leave him in the reserves for a month until he can show he can string a few appearences together (it may also sharpen his mindset, if there's anyflaws there).

Re: Injuries : Tue Mar 15, 2011 12:39 pm  

Wheeler's just as likely to get injured playing in the reserves as for the first team. Arguably MORE likely as he might not be 100% focussed.

Re: Injuries : Tue Mar 15, 2011 12:46 pm  

If he's fit then he should be picked in the centre against Leeds on Saturday. He's one of the few players that can beat a man.

If he's not fit then I'd move meli to centre. I know his defence is terrible there but it gives us some size and attack on the flanks and puts him away from a possible kicks to the wing from sinfield.

IMO Royce has go to change things to give some players a kick up the backside. We can't keep going on how we are.

I know he ain't got many options but something got to change and fast!

Re: Injuries : Tue Mar 15, 2011 12:52 pm  

If Wheeler could stay fit he'd be the best centre at the club IMO, including Shenton.

Re: Injuries : Tue Mar 15, 2011 12:54 pm  

FearTheVee wrote:

If Wheeler could stay fit he'd be the best centre at the club IMO, including Shenton.

I really hope he can, he could be a superstar. I just hope these injuries disappear as he matures

Re: Injuries : Tue Mar 15, 2011 1:05 pm  

FearTheVee wrote:

If Wheeler could stay fit he'd be the best centre at the club IMO, including Shenton.

I think wheeler can be very good centre as he's got good footwork and looks like he loves to attack but the injuries are a worry.

I think Shenton has everything to be a top class centre not just at club level but also international level. He's big, fast, good foot work, great attitude but is being wasted through getting no good ball due to having no halfbacks.

Re: Injuries : Tue Mar 15, 2011 1:12 pm  

Mugwump wrote:

Wheeler's just as likely to get injured playing in the reserves as for the first team. Arguably MORE likely as he might not be 100% focussed.

But lets face it, if his career is going to carry on like it has been so far, he's not exactly a player to be making plans round.

There is a chance that he just hasn't turned the corner into a player that will just suck it up, strap it up and get out on the pitch, which I'm led to beleive is part and parcel of SL.

If dropping him to the reserves at this point reduces his focus, then he's got a way to go as a professional. Wheeler has some catching up to do and a run of a few games in the reserves would be benificial for him, assuming the 1sts don't need him.

Re: Injuries : Tue Mar 15, 2011 4:17 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

But lets face it, if his career is going to carry on like it has been so far, he's not exactly a player to be making plans round.

I'm happy to give him time to see if he grows out of these injuries as his body matures, but it's the major reason why I cannot understand some people's clamour to put him in at 7 now.

Re: Injuries : Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:07 pm  

My nephew knew him from his blackbrook days together with a number of other young 'un's.

He reckon Gary is the best of the lot talent-wise.

Re: Injuries : Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:51 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

But lets face it, if his career is going to carry on like it has been so far, he's not exactly a player to be making plans round.

There is a chance that he just hasn't turned the corner into a player that will just suck it up, strap it up and get out on the pitch, which I'm led to beleive is part and parcel of SL.

If dropping him to the reserves at this point reduces his focus, then he's got a way to go as a professional. Wheeler has some catching up to do and a run of a few games in the reserves would be benificial for him, assuming the 1sts don't need him.

Lack of focus isn't Gary Wheeler's problem. Lack of game time is. By plonking him the reserves you could well end up with a self-fulfilling prophecy. So far the lad has done little wrong with the opportunities he's been given. He just needs more of them. My guess is that if he could string together a dozen or more consecutive games he'd be a completely different player.