: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:17 pm  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

Riddell or McClorum both don't deserve to be dropped. Simple as that.

No need to change around the team cos of the leeds game. We were caught cold against the champs. If anything Sam and Tommy need time to gel their game.

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:23 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

Dropping Riddell/McIlorum would be an awful call IMO both are playing fantastic.

Tim Smith need's to buck his idea's up, and force his way into the team, force Noble to pick him. Whether that be due to injuries or just poor form.

I agree they dont need to be dropped, but I wouldnt agree with McIlorum playing fantastic, hes done the basics well but hasnt been outstanding.

I think the Salford game is the best game to play Smith because the CC game wont be a real test against Barrow. Tommy as replacement hooker is far better than McIlorum and Smith as a scrum half on his day is far better than Tommy.

So I would play Smith v Salford only thing I cant decide is who should start on the bench, Tommy, Smith or Tomkins?

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:27 pm  

Couldn't care less if Smith never played for us again.

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:33 pm  

piemandan wrote:

Couldn't care less if Smith never played for us again.

Thats abit harsh, he is a quality player but he lacks confidence and his defence has been poor.

He would come good playing scrum half but would he be better tha Leuluai, I have no idea tbh.

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:35 pm  

odemwingie wrote:

Thats abit harsh, he is a quality player

Is he?

I don't watch the NRL but I have seen nothing in his time at Wigan to suggest that he is a quality player. He can't seem to do the basics right - tackle.

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:40 pm  

cadoo wrote:

Is he?

I don't watch the NRL but I have seen nothing in his time at Wigan to suggest that he is a quality player. He can't seem to do the basics right - tackle.

His passing is brilliant, some of the best hands in the league he has. He showed some great moments last season, and he often looks like he is going to do something but never quite pulls it off like Barrett used to. I think it could come for him in time though.

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:45 pm  

odemwingie wrote:

Thats abit harsh, he is a quality player but he lacks confidence and his defence has been poor.

He would come good playing scrum half but would he be better tha Leuluai, I have no idea tbh.

I don't think Smith will ever make it at Wigan

His attack is nothing special and his defence is nothing short of awful

I am a big Tommy fan so obviously think he would go a lot better than Smith, he needs to be played at hooker to get the best out if him though (but thats for another day )

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:51 pm  

Also as far as I see it now we have our half back combo for a few years with tommy and sam, they could be wigan half backs for years to come.

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:59 pm  

Newton-Le-willows-Warrior wrote:

Also as far as I see it now we have our half back combo for a few years with tommy and sam, they could be wigan half backs for years to come.

I like many question Tommy at 7 though

Do you think he can take us to the next level at 7 with a youngster as his partner?

: Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:05 pm  

odemwingie wrote:

His passing is brilliant, some of the best hands in the league he has. He showed some great moments last season, and he often looks like he is going to do something but never quite pulls it off like Barrett used to. I think it could come for him in time though.

But it's no good having great hands if you can't tackle.

He also so far this season has not been match fit which I believe to be part of the problem with his tackling. He kept telling Roberts to come inside and let him go out on the wing for a breather.

Plus putting Smith back in the side would be changing our halfback combination again. How can we expect to have any cohesion in attack when we keep changing our halfbacks every other week?

Saints and Leeds have had the same halfback combination for years - to great success. Pryce/Long & McGuire/Burrow. We should follow their example and allow Leuluai and Tomkins to better understand each other. Afterall they are our likely combination for future years anyway.