Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Feb 04, 2014 2:09 pm  

I think that at present SW has Clubb down as our right sided 2nd row replacing HH.He may be better suited to prop due to his time spent there at London but we are ok for props just going into the season.
Much in the same way most of us see Hampshire as a 6 but Waney is going with him as full back being back up to Bowen.
Early days for Clubb at Wigan so we can see how it goes as the season develops.
I did think he went well at Saints. Strong in the tackle and difficult to put down and often wrestled his way onto his front when hitting the floor allowing him to effect a quick ptb.
SW says he's going to use Bateman sparingly so may miss Hudds and/or Roosters then play v Wakey.
With such a large squad SW has plenty of options for each game. Will be interesting to see how he uses them
We have a larger squad in terms of numbers than last year and a lot of young and very talented players.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:20 am  

Aboveusonlypie wrote:

I would see Wheeler as a Stand Off. I don't think it's fair to copmpare him to Gelling and Thornley - who let's face it have enough on their plates getting a game with the like of Sarginson, Burgess and Manfredi now in the squad.

I think Wheeler would easily get into Saints team at 6 if he ever got fit. Perhaps they just need to be patient with him. He'd be a good addition to our squad if Green goes at the end of his contract.

I don't know why it's not fair to compare Wheeler to Gelling or Thornley, all 3 are of a similar age and play in the centres (although Wheeler has had game time at 6)

I would imagine if he came to Wigan he would have more game time in the centres due to the impressive potential of Hampshire, Williams, Powell, Sarge and of course Matty Smith in the halves.

I think Wheeler, which fit looks a much better prospect than Thornley or Gelling. I actually think both will be pushed out of the first time as the year progress with Wigan electing to play Sarge and Goulding in the centres with Burgess and Charnley on the wings.

Both have a lot to do to impress, both have been give game time in the preseason and don't look as good as Sarge or Bugress or Manfredi for that.

I think Wheelers issue is his fitness, not his abilty, other way around for Thornley and Gelling.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Feb 05, 2014 12:56 pm  

Thornley scored a great try at Wembley and generally played well in the play offs and final. He's no Paul Newlove, but he deserves a chance to establish himself this year.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Feb 05, 2014 1:52 pm  

Lingfield Warrior wrote:

Thornley scored a great try at Wembley and generally played well in the play offs and final. He's no Paul Newlove, but he deserves a chance to establish himself this year.

It looks like SW already rates Sarge above him in the centres considering the pre-season line ups.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Feb 05, 2014 1:55 pm  

Was it Thornley who Rogues painted as a colossal loss to RL when he went to Union?

Looks a very average/limited player to me.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:13 pm  

Last season was Thornley's first full season having only played three games the previous year. Replacing Carmont was a big ask for anyone and he did as well as I expected.
He was played out of position on the wing last Friday and I admit didn't look anything special. There is now a lot of competition throughout the whole squad and he will have to play well to get a place and keep it.
I do think he's a talented lad though!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:46 pm  

FearTheVee wrote:

Was it Thornley who Rogues painted as a colossal loss to RL when he went to Union?

Looks a very average/limited player to me.

Don't think that is at all fair. Whilst he was no superstar he didn't let anyone down replacing arguably one of the best Centre's in the recent history of Super League.

He didn't have an off season scored a try in the Wembley win and was strong in the playoffs.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:49 pm  

Thornley has bags of talent but looks to lack self belief IMO. If the penny ever drops with him he could be a top player. As it is now he lets nobody down but he's got a lot of improvement in him.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Feb 05, 2014 5:23 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Thornley has bags of talent but looks to lack self belief IMO. If the penny ever drops with him he could be a top player. As it is now he lets nobody down but he's got a lot of improvement in him.

That's a fair summation of Iain. Anybody who followed him at junior level will know that he has bags of skill, he now needs to produce it at SL level. I thought he was ok last year and he certainly stepped up to the mark in the big games.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Feb 05, 2014 7:52 pm  

Frankly I've never really seen it with Thornley, I can't comment on what he was like in the academy but at SL level he's always looked distinctly average to me with the odd defensive lapse thrown in there as well. Hate to have a go at one of our own players but thay's how I see it