: Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:54 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

He was outstanding for St. Pats and Wigan town teams though.

Of that age group there were probably 3 names that stood out - Farrell, Thornley and Liam Thompson who's just starting to play again in the academy after a long injury lay off. Many were split as to who had most potential. For me Thompson is certainly one to keep an eye on as so far he's slipped in under the radar a little because of his lay off. Talented lad.

[DaveO]

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:16 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

It was paid for by Farrell's money, not Whelan's.

Didn't we get £250K for Farrell and pay £440K for Fielden not to mention any compensation paid to Bradford for Noble? I know Andy was a loyal servant to Wigan but I am pretty sure he didn't dip into his pocked to make up the difference

Dave

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:23 pm  

Morning Glory wrote:

Of that age group there were probably 3 names that stood out - Farrell, Thornley and Liam Thompson who's just starting to play again in the academy after a long injury lay off. Many were split as to who had most potential. For me Thompson is certainly one to keep an eye on as so far he's slipped in under the radar a little because of his lay off. Talented lad.

I saw him play at hooker during one of the eariler academy games this year and he really stood out.

Somebody pointed out to me that his prefered position is back row but he seem well built and technically very good at 9.

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:27 pm  

Morning Glory wrote:

Of that age group there were probably 3 names that stood out - Farrell, Thornley and Liam Thompson who's just starting to play again in the academy after a long injury lay off. Many were split as to who had most potential. For me Thompson is certainly one to keep an eye on as so far he's slipped in under the radar a little because of his lay off. Talented lad.

Well let's hope we can hold onto them, and please Wigan coaching staff stop turning nearly every lad into a backrower.

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:31 pm  

jonh wrote:

Owen Farrell, could we lure him back for 2011, is there room for him with Thornely, Pryce,Gleeson, Goulding, Locky and Tomkins?

To be honest never saw anything of him in league have seen a few games in Union the lad has bags of ability but would take a massive investment. Just throw it in there as people including myself have been discussing replacements for Carmont, Pryces and Goulings future etc etc.

Isn't he on a scholarship with Saracens?

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:56 pm  

DaveO wrote:

Didn't we get £250K for Farrell and pay £440K for Fielden not to mention any compensation paid to Bradford for Noble? I know Andy was a loyal servant to Wigan but I am pretty sure he didn't dip into his pocked to make up the difference

Dave

I think D.W. put the £250k on a long shot at Haydock Park to make the money for Noble and Fielden

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:58 pm  

getdownmonkeyman wrote:

Isn't he on a scholarship with Saracens?

yes but contract is up at the end of next season.

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:06 pm  

jonh wrote:

yes but contract is up at the end of next season.

How old is he and what position does he play jon.

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:18 pm  

LovesToSpooge wrote:

How old is he and what position does he play jon.

He is 18 now i think maybe still 17 and plays centre in union although in league i think he played at loose, never saw him in league just seen him on occasion in union, i believe he is the youngest player ever to play in the Guinness Premiership.

rl : Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:22 pm  

We've had an underpowered front row for years but a very decent back row.
For most of the game yesterday Bailey was off and our whole back row was absent. Lockers, Hock & Bailey. That's why our pack was over run.
On the reverse, what a great set of 3/4 and halves we have.
From early on our centres had the beating their opposites. Carmont, from a standing start stepped Menzies and only a few minutes later Gleeson did the same to Nero.
The more Sam & Tommy play together the better they get.
As we've all been saying, including IL, we need at least one quality prop and preferably a prop/2nd row as well.
IL & BN have been putting together a very decent squad. Not many positions to improve now so a real big effort is needed to bring in the right man. A quality prop who is an enforcer is needed. With every injury our pack gets younger so we need a "Pongia" type prop who's reputation precedes them and like "Q" lets the opposition know his reputation was earned.