: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:35 am
Problem is, Wigan players are overrated by Wigan fans. We aren't very good, I was surprised when a number of people on these boards expected us to beat Hudders.. I honestly couldn't see why.
By arguing back you back up my point, the only stat you need to consider is the Win Loss stat, and ours or poor. Coach isn't to be blamed for players knocking on or throwing a forward pass or giving away pens for simple errors, such responsibility lies with the players.
Tim Smith-Been one of the worst 7's in the SL this season. Stop banging on about his undoubted skill, when it clearly is doubtable, people would sooner refer to the ONE good season he had in Oz rather than look at how he's playing this minute. He offers little in attack and is terrible in def. Don't bother with stats or how he used to play, look at him on game day.
Mathers-I feel sorry for him. But we have to be more ruthless. He has had opportunity time and time again and let us down. At his age he should be able to deal with pressure etc. When do we turn around and say, these players are simply not good enough.
Phelps-Maybe should have had a run out at 6, but too weak for a centre, not quick enough for a winger. Brought from the otherside of the world, we've got better in our own back yard!
Hansen-Doesn't cut it, players like him and O Carroll are a 'blind-side' for Wigan fans, because standards have slipped so much we actually think these players are good enough to play for Wigan. Hansen plods along offering nothing in attack. And some fans go crazy for him cos he can tackle, get with the programme, to be worthy of a first team spot a second rower needs to be able to run at the line causing problems, can smash but can also step and offload, can interlink their passing with the centres to create an overlap. Ask yourself this When Hansen gets the ball, do you ever really think he's going to do something with it? or just plot at the line then take the tackle.
Look at JJB, Gilmore, Wilkin, Hock, Ellis, Luittui (sp Leeds SR) Wild, Lockers, Joel Tomkins, Manu, how they attack in comparison, there is no comparison!!
O Carroll?- Good? Come on, an average prop by SL standards. Too small, I've seen him actually thrown on the floor. A PROP!!
Roberts-If he was so good, why did he Aussie club see fit to release him a year before his contracted ended? Cos they would sooner have room on their cap than have him in their squad. (Alarm bells!!!) He's not good enough to keep so what do we do? Offer him a 4yr deal at 28.
So far his attitude stinks.
Riddell-Not sure about his contract in Oz but I know St George got rid cos of his weight issues and how he failed to maintain a weight that would bring the most of our his game. We've played 8 games now, and as a Aussie pro he's had 1 good game in 8.
People could defend him, but lets look after our club, not defend the players who let it down.
Signings...
Richards(Sooner have him on the wing, but don't have someone better who can play FB sums up our squad)
Pryce or Roberts (Both are in contention not cos are both playing well, but cos both have major issues, lesser of two evils rather than cos they're both excellent, not good)
Gleeson (Not officially signed yet) Good player thou.
Carmont
Ainscough-Needs to work on his defense.
Sam Tomkins (Good, but young needs help in the halves, can't do what an experienced Trent Barrett did yet)
Tommy LuLu (SIGNING NEEDED) Tommy's a good player at 9, by now we should realise he, like other players is only playing in his position cos he's the best of a bad bunch, not exactly perfect system)
Fielden (SIGNING NEEDED) Had an overall terrible career at Wigan
Riddell (Tommy should be our main no.9) Riddell needs kicking into gear a.s.ap
Coley "(SIGNING NEEDED) Overall, like Fielden, had a crap Wigan career
Hock So hot and cold. will be better behind a stronger front row
Tomkins (not a SR a 13) look how much better he was last season when playing 13, far better than Lockers
Lockers We all know he's not a Capt, but once again he's probably capt cos there's no one else better to take the arm band. Almost captain by default. A massive issue which reflects on the field. Needs moving to SR, let him be the tackle machine. Something gotta be done when his selection at 13 is actually preventing Tomkins from playing his best.
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Feka No issues, awesome when on the field, needs to come off the bench after 20, do 20 till HT, use HT as a rest, come back on and do another 20, then off for the last 20.
Prescott-Just needs more game time. Will be good. One of the four props in rotation.
McClorum-Is he going to be good enough> top class? I'm unsure.
Hansen-Had it chance.
Team
NEW FB
Richards Gleeson Carmont Ainscough
S Tomkins NEW 7
NEW 8 Tommy NEW 10
Hock Lockers
Joel Tomkins
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Feka, Riddell, Prescott Farrell
*One enforcer prop and capt material, one impact prop to do 20 spells with Feka.
Farrell looks by far the best of the young backrowers
SELL
Phelps
Bailey
Mathers
Fielden
Coley
Goulding
Hansen
O Carroll
Smith
Time to cut the dead wood. And win some trophies.
