: Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:02 pm
We should not be offering Phil Bailey a contract. He is not the quality you should expect from an overseas player looking to improve the squad and offer something that no British alternative or someone from your academy can offer on a reasonable contract. He offers next to nothing in attack. Is only solid in defense if you run straight at him (which is why he is better suited to the back row) because if you run on the angle or with any pace he is easily exposed, as was evident against Leeds. We have Gareth Hock, Joel Tomkins, Sean O'loughlin , Harrison Hansen already in the first team with Lee Mossop and Liam Farrell looking to make the step up. We don't need to waste a quota spot on someone who can play in the second row. He has not lived up to the reputation he came over with as an Australian international and I would sum up his Wigan career as average.
BUT his experience needs replacing. Regardless of his ability he does have plenty of experience and can help support the young lads coming through at the moment and take some responsbility away from Lockers. I don't think we should keep him but this should be replaced by someone else in another position. Prop forward seems the most likely alternative with either Andy Lynch or Luke Bailey both capable of offering this to us. Or even in another area - fullback, centre or scrum half who knows but I would agree with posters that his experience should be valued and replaced. But I disagree when people say we should keep him.
