: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:27 am  

There is no doubts regarding Ashton's attacking potential. That's what was more frustrating about his defensive lapses in the final year.

However if he's prepared to eat humbile pie and take a small wage, I don't think there's any harm in trying to get something out of him.

If he's got any sense he'll stay in Union, or play League in Australia - He's far more suited to their games.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:19 am  

Yes.

A young promosing talent. People call his defensive capabilities but don't forget he was only 18-19.

A certain young Gary Connelly was r&ped in the 1989 CC final at fullback by Wigan and look how good he turned out both in attack and defence.

Ataacking wise Aston the season he left was arugably our best attacking player, you don't sell young Wigan lads due to their attitude, you sort out their attitude and teach them the other aspects of pro sportsmanship and being professional.

Look at Alex Fergie and the young talent he kept on the right track.

Aston was a sad loss to the darkside. Get the lad back, he could be an outanding winger/centre or full back in the Connelly mold.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:20 am  

Oof, 50% split in the poll.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:22 am  

Alex BP' wrote:

Oof, 50% split in the poll.

Which proves that half the folk on here are idiots. A much lower percentage that I would have guessed, actually.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:22 am  

Alex BP' wrote:

Oof, 50% split in the poll.

I honestly believe that, in the unlikely event of him being prepared to take the necessary pay-cut, we'd be crazy not to grab him back.

He had lightning pace, which is something we're lacking in so many areas today. Okay, he was a crap tackler, but the solution to that would be recruit Radlinski to tutor him.

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:37 am  

Given the first two things I look for in a fullback are:

1. Being an excellent tackler

and

2. Safe as houses under the high ball

then the answer is a very definite no.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:41 am  

No because I suspect the cost will be too high. Granted his attacking play is good but tackling/positional play is crucial to the role and in that I thought him lacking.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:45 am  

Wigan/Leeds Andy wrote:

1. Being an excellent tackler

There wasn't many fullbacks in Super League who were.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:50 am  

id take him back in a flash, he was young, from wigan, scored trys

he was cocky but he was still a good finisher

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:54 am  

Alex BP' wrote:

There wasn't many fullbacks in Super League who were.

Call me old fashioned but given the fullback is the last line of defence, that's the number 1 attribute for me. Given how leaky our defence is generally, it's even more important our fullback can tackle.