: Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:30 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I know he's well liked and respected by a lot of the younger players, has a very good attitude at training and is a good organiser/talker.

Does that make him good enough, probably not, but until we get someone better, then hell do for me.


There are two other Aussies I would release before him for next season (Smith and Phelps)

Seems to pretty much sum him up, a model pro.

Personally, I feel he'll do much better as a centre with Roberts outside him.

Think back to the last few seasons and how flat Calderwood always was compared to his centre. While I would be the first to say Calders didn't get enough ball, it doesn't help if a winger is to flat.

Watch Roberts. He generally stands a yard or so further back from his centre, allowing the centre a bigger window of opportunity to decide what to do with the ball and also means he can cut in if required with a reduced risk of collision or obstruction.

Bailey's trademark offload at Cronulla was exactly like the Gidley-Gardner combination of whereby Bailey would aim to get on the outside shoulder of the opposing centre. If the wing man doesn't commit, he will try to fend and go. If the winger does commit, he will flick the ball back one handed to his winger, having made the gap.

I seem to recall a couple of these on Saturday, one of which put Roberts on a 20 metre break from inside our own half. If he can do that in our opponents 20 or 30 then the fullback won't get across and it's try time.

A bit long winded I know but what I'm trying to say in basic terms is that after just one game there are inklings that he and Roberts will work well together. This isn't necessarily because Bailey has suddenly become a better centre but because a winger of Roberts' quality can help to bring out the best in Bailey. This is similar to a class centre in Gidley bringing out the best in Gardner.

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:44 pm  

Bailey seemed to be originally moved to the backrow to make way for Goulding, who at the time was showing lots of potential. Goulding (maybe foolishly) was giving the number 3 shirt and a 1st team spot.

Overtime Goulding doesn't seem to be working out, Phelps who was brought in as a utility player across the backs also isn't really working out in the centres, so we're back to Bailey there.

Therefore Bailey is proven to be dependable there, you never know, with Roberts outside him we could have a solid 2-5, something I feel we've not had for a long long time.

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:18 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I know he's well liked and respected by a lot of the younger players, has a very good attitude at training and is a good organiser/talker.

Does that make him good enough, probably not, but until we get someone better, then hell do for me.


There are two other Aussies I would release before him for next season (Smith and Phelps)

That sums it up nicely. Not a world beater, but alot more steady than alot of our other players and the best option we have in the centre currently.

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:02 pm  

mooster wrote:

Why wait till next season Rogues i would get rid now. Lets put it one way there here to do a job there not learning there trade they are experienced players and are crap. Lets put it one way i am an engineer and if i kept messing jobs up week in week out then i would be sacked why cant this happen to Rugby players who are just not performing to the standard Wigan Rugby expect.

oh and piggy can go too !

Muppet

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:19 pm  

kirkamania6 wrote:

Muppet

No need.

I'm not a great one for stats at any times, esp so early in the season but if you wanted to take that route you will find plenty hookers out performing him. Compare him to Randall, Diskin and Roby and it's just embarrassing. The most important issue, though, is that we have 2 players patently outplaying him IMO (no-one would argue that we have at least 1). He is our "big" signing (in every way) this season and irrespective of if it is due to injury (how convenient if true) or not he is in appalling physical condition (not compared to me, I might add ). He was blowing out of his behind after 16 minutes last time out and it simply isn't good enough, particularly when we have other obvious options.

He has had time to shake off the mystery injury and/or improve his physical condition. He had better step up big time or he will be next under Nobby's microscope.

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:30 pm  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

No need.

I'm not a great one for stats at any times, esp so early in the season but if you wanted to take that route you will find plenty hookers out performing him. Compare him to Randall, Diskin and Roby and it's just embarrassing. The most important issue, though, is that we have 2 players patently outplaying him IMO (no-one would argue that we have at least 1). He is our "big" signing (in every way) this season and irrespective of if it is due to injury (how convenient if true) or not he is in appalling physical condition (not compared to me, I might add ). He was blowing out of his behind after 16 minutes last time out and it simply isn't good enough, particularly when we have other obvious options.

He has had time to shake off the mystery injury and/or improve his physical condition. He had better step up big time or he will be next under Nobby's microscope.

Sorry but to say we should get rid of someone after 4 games when he is obviously carrying an injury is ridiculous

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:45 pm  

AJ wrote:

That sums it up nicely. Not a world beater, but alot more steady than alot of our other players and the best option we have in the centre currently.

Agree with that the only real problem i is he takes up a quota spot and i would imagine quiet a bit of the S.C. . I would like to see Lee Mossop get more of a chance which i think he needs,and with Phil Bailey playing in the centres maybe he could be an option in the second row.

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 6:11 pm  

That is a very good point, where has this 'injury' of Riddell's come from? I've not seen any report of it anywhere.

I'm not saying it's bogus, I just often wonder if we're living in denial and don't want to face the possibility that we've spend money and got our hopes up for another bad Oz signing?

How long do we give Riddell before he looks a top notch no.9? Diskin isn't going to be Leeds' first pick 9 but he's far better than Riddell. At this stage I'd be picking Jon Clarke over him

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 6:15 pm  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

That is a very good point, where has this 'injury' of Riddell's come from? I've not seen any report of it anywhere.

I'm not saying it's bogus, I just often wonder if we're living in denial and don't want to face the possibility that we've spend money and got our hopes up for another bad Oz signing?

How long do we give Riddell before he looks a top notch no.9? Diskin isn't going to be Leeds' first pick 9 but he's far better than Riddell. At this stage I'd be picking Jon Clarke over him

Lets not be too hasty

As far as Piggy's injury goes he hasn't been moving nowhere near as well as he did against Wire and Huddersfield

Does anyone know why he missed the game against Leigh?

I doubt he lost that amount if fitness over the period of around a month

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 6:16 pm  

He was injured in first ten min away at Hull , Brian Noble commented on it saying he really should not have gone back on . Hope that helps.