Re: THEM : Sun Oct 05, 2014 4:51 pm  

LewCharnock wrote:

You said with the ball OR his tough defence. I can see to some extent what you say about his ability with the ball but he sets the tone with intensity and monstrous defence for Wigan. The drop in intensity when he goes off the field is very noticeable.

Like I said, he's very important to how Wigan play but IMHO he's not a great player.

Re: THEM : Sun Oct 05, 2014 4:54 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

I know you do Pete and you're always a knowledgeable and reasoned poster, which is why I was surprised at your post which came across as anything but! If that's your genuine opinion then fine but I would have to say I've never seen you further off the ball with an opinion. MM is our most influential player after SOL and all opinion outside of one-eyed fans (which I'll happily consign to the garbage where it belongs) suggests he is a highly regarded player. Having said all that you are, of course, entitled to your opinion...even if it's a wrong one!

Just as an aside; if you genuinely think Higham offers more than McIlorum then you're seriously off the ball on this one! He's not even first choice for a Wire side that has felt the need to go out and buy, rather than trust to Higham and a youngster. Nowhere near the England squad and at best an impact hooker who can scoot at a tiring defense. No disrespect to MH who I like as a man and player but would Saints be happy to run with him as first choice hooker? I think we both know the answer to that....

Thanks for the kind words

However, I stick my what I say. I just feel he offers nothing with the ball at all. I understand he's a big player for Wigan as he does exactly what Wane wants to the letter. He puts players off their game.

I do think Higham is a better player, I also believe Clark has been brought into Warrington to play with Micky Higham and not replace him.

Re: THEM : Sun Oct 05, 2014 5:05 pm  

I would much rather play Wigan without McIlorum than with him. I don't think he's the most skilful of hookers, but he's really important to Wigan as a leader in terms of aggression and confrontation. I'll be amazed if he doesn't play on Saturday; I suspect Wigan will do everything in their power to get him out there.

Re: THEM : Sun Oct 05, 2014 5:07 pm  

Dux wrote:

I would much rather play Wigan without McIlorum than with him. I don't think he's the most skilful of hookers, but he's really important to Wigan as a leader in terms of aggression and confrontation. I'll be amazed if he doesn't play on Saturday; I suspect Wigan will do everything in their power to get him out there.

Exactly my thoughts

Re: THEM : Sun Oct 05, 2014 6:17 pm  

In terms of rugby ability, MM is average at best.

However, in terms of getting in your face, smashing you hard in the tackle and forcing errors, MM is invaluable to Wigan. It's their gameplan to get off the line quick, win the collision and dominate the tackle; these all play to his strengths and that's why he's so important to their team, he leads the line. Put him in our team for instance and he'd be far less important to us.

In terms of technical ability, Sam Powell is a better hooker but he doesn't have that aggressiveness and tenacity that MM brings to the team.

Re: THEM : Sun Oct 05, 2014 6:40 pm  

Dux wrote:

I would much rather play Wigan without McIlorum than with him. I don't think he's the most skilful of hookers, but he's really important to Wigan as a leader in terms of aggression and confrontation. I'll be amazed if he doesn't play on Saturday; I suspect Wigan will do everything in their power to get him out there.

He said he will be playing so there is no need to speculate. There is no way he will miss this game.

Re: THEM : Sun Oct 05, 2014 7:07 pm  

MM reminds me of Hooper, who used to play for us. He wasn't the classiest player I've seen but the opposition (especially the players kicking on the 5th) would have hated playing against him.

Re: THEM : Sun Oct 05, 2014 7:40 pm  

Twentyman wrote:

MM reminds me of Hooper, who used to play for us. He wasn't the classiest player I've seen but the opposition (especially the players kicking on the 5th) would have hated playing against him.

I think you would have to go way back to find a similar equivalent, probably Harry Pinner who likes the odd confrontation and punch when the ref is looking elsewhere.

Re: THEM : Sun Oct 05, 2014 7:45 pm  

BackrowSaint wrote:

In terms of rugby ability, MM is average at best.

However, in terms of getting in your face, smashing you hard in the tackle and forcing errors, MM is invaluable to Wigan. It's their gameplan to get off the line quick, win the collision and dominate the tackle; these all play to his strengths and that's why he's so important to their team, he leads the line. Put him in our team for instance and he'd be far less important to us.

In terms of technical ability, Sam Powell is a better hooker but he doesn't have that aggressiveness and tenacity that MM brings to the team.

I agree fully with your opening paragraph but I can't agree with you about Sam Powell. He is a halfback filling in at hooker and 'technically' isn't as sound in the position as McIlorum. MM is far better distributing from dummy half and makes better decisions with ball in hand from that position at the minute. He's actually quite a clever kicker when he gets the chance as well. His game is based around that devastating defence but his attack is far better then a lot of Saints fans are giving him credit for.

Re: THEM : Sun Oct 05, 2014 7:47 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I agree fully with your opening paragraph but I can't agree with you about Sam Powell. He is a halfback filling in at hooker and 'technically' isn't as sound in the position as McIlorum. MM is far better distributing from dummy half and makes better decisions with ball in hand from that position at the minute. He's actually quite a clever kicker when he gets the chance as well. His game is based around that devastating defence but his attack is far better then a lot of Saints fans are giving him credit for.

Happy to admit I could be wrong on Powell, I obviously see him far less than Wigan fans. Just whenever I've seen him his distribution has been pretty sharp and he hasn't really made many errors in that department.