Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 02, 2014 2:22 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Hope so.

We don't need him in truth but he's a good player and I'd rather him not end up at Saints.

I'd argue that we do need either him or a different 6.

I don't think that either Powell, Williams or Hampshire are ready for the gig and i hate seeing the kids 'learn on the job'. For me it's notable when Green is on form and how hot we look.

Bring in a new 6 and let the others go out on loan until they are good enough or better than someone like Burns.

Same goes for Sarginson at centre. I've seen a few people saying he needs to learn this or that in regards to the position. For me the Wigan first team isn't where you learn your trade. That's done in the academy and then out on loan. The Wigan first team, certainly the starting spots, are for the best players out there not kids learning their craft.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 02, 2014 2:50 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I'd argue that we do need either him or a different 6.

I don't think that either Powell, Williams or Hampshire are ready for the gig and i hate seeing the kids 'learn on the job'. For me it's notable when Green is on form and how hot we look.

Bring in a new 6 and let the others go out on loan until they are good enough or better than someone like Burns.

Same goes for Sarginson at centre. I've seen a few people saying he needs to learn this or that in regards to the position. For me the Wigan first team isn't where you learn your trade. That's done in the academy and then out on loan. The Wigan first team, certainly the starting spots, are for the best players out there not kids learning their craft.

If it was one lad then fair enough but we have three and two of them are having a sustained run now and learning their trade in the best environment possible. If you look at somebody like Powell he's been around the squad for a number of years and looks ready to step up IMO. I'd say the other two are a little further back but you can rest and rotate to get the best out of them all.

They're all good enough and aren't being thrown straight in from the u19's. You say the positions in our first 17 are for the best players out there but that's just not the case. Even the more experienced lads we sign like Smith, Green, Clubb etc are lads we've improved and help develop. They weren't the best in their positions and have all improved out of sight at Wigan.

If we need an example of how we should trust our own (where possible) look at Joe Burgess! He didn't have any of the experience the three young halfbacks have but has been superb.

: Sat Aug 02, 2014 3:08 pm  

I think Powells future lies at 9 at Wigan backing up McIlorum. He doesn't have the creativity or spark to be our 6 but he is good enough for the team coming off the bench at 9.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 02, 2014 3:10 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

If it was one lad then fair enough but we have three and two of them are having a sustained run now and learning their trade in the best environment possible. If you look at somebody like Powell he's been around the squad for a number of years and looks ready to step up IMO. I'd say the other two are a little further back but you can rest and rotate to get the best out of them all.

They're all good enough and aren't being thrown straight in from the u19's. You say the positions in our first 17 are for the best players out there but that's just not the case. Even the more experienced lads we sign like Smith, Green, Clubb etc are lads we've improved and help develop. They weren't the best in their positions and have all improved out of sight at Wigan.

If we need an example of how we should trust our own (where possible) look at Joe Burgess! He didn't have any of the experience the three young halfbacks have but has been superb.

When we signed Green and Smith both were at a level above what Powell is now. I agree they've improved as players but when they were signed they were, imo, more than adequately ready to fill the shoes of Tommy and Finch. Green in particular was a player i really rated, Aussie School boy who shone in his first season at KR but had a serious injury in his 2nd. There weren't that many better 6's available than Green.

FWIW I also agree about Joe Burgess and i'd even throw in the name of Sam Tomkins as another player who took to the side without needing to go on loan. I would however argue that for Burgess it's easier to make a mark on the wing than it is at 6 and also Sam Tomkins is arguably the most talent player we've ever produced.

i just feel that there's a noticeable when Green doesn't play and to me that says the guys replacing him aren't either as good or just aren't ready.

I'd love to see Hampshire groomed for the 6 shirt playing alongside an experienced guy like Burns. For me he's the one with the spark that the other two don't have and would be a good partner for the more structured Smith.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 02, 2014 4:48 pm  

the problem with Powell is he plays the Matty Smith role in a team but obviously can't in the 1st team, but in my opinion he has a lot higher ceiling than Smith and in 2 years he will be the best 7 in super league.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 02, 2014 5:12 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

When we signed Green and Smith both were at a level above what Powell is now. I agree they've improved as players but when they were signed they were, imo, more than adequately ready to fill the shoes of Tommy and Finch. Green in particular was a player i really rated, Aussie School boy who shone in his first season at KR but had a serious injury in his 2nd. There weren't that many better 6's available than Green.

FWIW I also agree about Joe Burgess and i'd even throw in the name of Sam Tomkins as another player who took to the side without needing to go on loan. I would however argue that for Burgess it's easier to make a mark on the wing than it is at 6 and also Sam Tomkins is arguably the most talent player we've ever produced.

i just feel that there's a noticeable when Green doesn't play and to me that says the guys replacing him aren't either as good or just aren't ready.

I'd love to see Hampshire groomed for the 6 shirt playing alongside an experienced guy like Burns. For me he's the one with the spark that the other two don't have and would be a good partner for the more structured Smith.

I get were you're coming from but I just think the quality of superleague allows us to fast track these lads a little. I'd be extremely wary of us going with a lad like Powell or Williams if we just had the one but due to us having three outstanding options I think it'll work just fine. There aren't a great deal of options out there bar maybe Burns.

I fully agree about Hampshire being the best fit to partner Smith. I think you want a good balance and Hampshire offers that real attacking running threat to Smiths organisational skills. The other two are not a badly balanced partner either though. I'm a big fan of Williams who reminds me a little of Tommy Leuluai with his good footwork and solid defence and Powell is really well suited to out system IMO.

We will miss Green for sure. We've missed him at points this year but I feel we're getting to grips with his absence more and more each week. I can understand people's opinions who'd rather bring in experience but I think we'll be fine with that little bit of continuity.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:12 pm  

If we don't bring anyone in, I think my preferred line-up would be Powell at 6 with Williams providing a running option off the bench to spell McIlorum. My only concern about Powell is he may lack a bit of pace to be a top quality 6. At 22 I do think he will become a top player though. Hampshire to take over from Bowen in 2016.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:15 pm  

WARRIORCRAIG wrote:

If we don't bring anyone in, I think my preferred line-up would be Powell at 6 with Williams providing a running option off the bench to spell McIlorum. My only concern about Powell is he may lack a bit of pace to be a top quality 6. At 22 I do think he will become a top player though. Hampshire to take over from Bowen in 2016.

There's certainly some options anyway. I think Hampshire would make an outstanding six but he may well take the one shirt. If rumours are to be believed in Oz and Tomkins doesn't see out his full contract we may see him back in the one shirt.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:10 pm  

dubairl wrote:

the problem with Powell is he plays the Matty Smith role in a team but obviously can't in the 1st team, but in my opinion he has a lot higher ceiling than Smith and in 2 years he will be the best 7 in super league.

is smith going to go backwards cos at the moment he is in a differnet league to Powell.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:35 pm  

Pieman wrote:

is smith going to go backwards cos at the moment he is in a differnet league to Powell.

No but knowing Powell's attitude he will improve and go beyond smith in the next 2 years, just look at his performance for the England knights against Samoa and you will see what he is capable of.