I don't think there's a team in Super League that would have sufficient cover for losing Briscoe, Moon, McGuire, Faloon, Ablett, Ward and Buchanan all first 17 players, all at the same time at the very start of a season when you've just lost three of your previous first choice 13 to retirement. That's a winger and a centre on opposing sides, meaning that neither side can function ideally; our stand off and captain, meaning our attacking structure suffers. Our first choice hooker meaning we suffer in both attack and defence. Our left sided second rower - adding to the imbalance on that side, and our loose forward. But no, people are really exaggerating the issue of Leeds' injury list.
All told we could be starting against you with only ten of our first choice 17 - and you don't think that gives you any advantage?
Get the violins out! Leeds have hardly had a cold for ten years so people aren't going to start feeling sorry for a club with 6 or 7 injuries when most clubs have carried that at various points for years.
Wigan had more quality sat in the stands then Leeds tonight, now there's a thought!!
That doesnt make sense, you DID buy your trophies, just because Leeds tried and failed to do the same doesnt change the fact that you won those trophies when you were a full time team in a league that was mostly semi-pro
Of course it makes sense. What he meant was we brought players through the junior set up back then just as we do now. It's not a new thing. Players like Betts, Edwards and plenty of others were products of the Wigan junior set up and this carried on with players like Radlinski, Farrell and onto Lockers. It's always been a feature of Wigan. We no more bought success any more than Leeds (and Widnes before us) tried or did in Widnes case.
What has changed over recent years at Wigan is in my opinion there has been too much reliance on the academy and a reluctance to address weaknesses in the side by going for a better class of recruit or some experience from outside the club. Leeds have had that balance right over recent seasons.
Tbf the WBW name was given around 2011/12 around the time he scored some top class tries at international (the one in the corner when Slater broke his collarbone for example) and was MOM in the 2012 WCC and was still scoring a lot of tries. He still comes up with moments like the 2 vs Cas in the cup final and the playoff one vs Saints that help remind you why it was first coined. Like others have said I think he'd have gotten 30 tries a year these last few seasons had he been on Wigan's wing.
He was the best in the world a couple of years ago, being named in the world XIII 3 times in 4 years, but recently he is bombing too many opportunities and the title of WBW belongs to big Semi Radradra
However (and I know im bias in I see more of him than most) imo Watkins is the current best centre in the world. Im basing this on the fact that the NRL currently has no real superstars at centre, the Dally M centre of the year was Roberts who totally relies on pace and has no where near the skill of watkins the same can be said for Jennings, whilst the other top centres in Walker and fergason have been moved to 6 and 1, and Whare has dropped form significantly That basically leaves Watkins competing with Reed and Chambers for being the best centre in the world imo
He was the best in the world a couple of years ago, being named in the world XIII 3 times in 4 years, but recently he is bombing too many opportunities and the title of WBW belongs to big Semi Radradra
However (and I know im bias in I see more of him than most) imo Watkins is the current best centre in the world. Im basing this on the fact that the NRL currently has no real superstars at centre, the Dally M centre of the year was Roberts who totally relies on pace and has no where near the skill of watkins the same can be said for Jennings, whilst the other top centres in Walker and fergason have been moved to 6 and 1, and Whare has dropped form significantly That basically leaves Watkins competing with Reed and Chambers for being the best centre in the world imo
The sad reality, and this is no slight on Watkins, Hall or anyone else is you can't claim to be the worlds best anything unless you are playing in the NRL.
Big Steve wrote: The Internet has provided some wonderful creativity, opportunities and knowledge sharing but it has also given a worldwide forum for people you would leave a full pint behind in the pub to avoid having to listen to them.
aboveusonlypie... If you don't bother to go to the game when you live in the locality then you are not really a fan and therefore your views are invalid. It's simple.
I know Leeds have a lot of injuries, but it was also sad to see the narcolepsy that has afflicted the team when they are in the tackle... Get well soon guys.
"Games as big as a grand finals define individuals and clubs. Remember we are only renting these shirts, I had my time in Pat Richards shirt. Ellery and Faz had there time in Sean's, Hampo and Radders in Sam's. You have to make a mark in these shirts that's still there the day you hand it over to someone else. So be aware for 80 minutes you are not only playing but also writing history and creating a legacy. How many people get to actually write history, not many. A big stage demands big players, be inspired. You play for Wigan, now go do it. Good luck." - Martin Offiah, 2010.
However (and I know im bias in I see more of him than most) imo Watkins is the current best centre in the world. Im basing this on the fact that the NRL currently has no real superstars at centre, the Dally M centre of the year was Roberts who totally relies on pace and has no where near the skill of watkins the same can be said for Jennings, whilst the other top centres in Walker and fergason have been moved to 6 and 1, and Whare has dropped form significantly That basically leaves Watkins competing with Reed and Chambers for being the best centre in the world imo
Hahahahaha. Watkins better than Jennings, Roberts & Whare, I've heard it all now
[quote="leedsnsouths" imo Watkins is the current best centre in the world.[/quote]
Woah, a whole new level of idiocy has been reached here: If you ignore his considerable defensive inabilities he may be in the top 20, however you can't and his woeful defence makes him the epitome of bang average.
The WBW has never been the World's best winger either, I can't think of one performance against Wigan where he bested his opposite winger.
It would be a poor world without differing opinions. Have a good journey up tomorrow
Cheers Itchy. I just got back, opted to take the bike cos of Friday motorway congestion, and it still took me six hours, even with some pretty spirited filtering through stationary traffic. Anyway, no dramas like my last trip to the DW by bike
Be interested to watch the game back later on, but my thoughts at the time were, Leeds were really poor. We weren't great either and dropped a lot of ball, but if I was a Leeds fan I'd be furious about the capitulation in the second half. Gelling's try, FFS! Good opportunism by him, but shameful defence. You can't blame that on injuries.
As others have commented, given that our two most creative players weren't on the pitch, and hopefully will be fairly soon, I think we can look forward to the rest of the season with some confidence.
Just watched the tries back on Wigan TV, and there is even less excuse for Gelling's try from Leeds' POV, cos Bateman *nearly* did exactly the same thing shortly before, so it's not like they weren't warned.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 164 guests
REPLY
Please note using apple style emoji's can result in posting failures.
Use the FULL EDITOR to better format content or upload images, be notified of replies etc...
