: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:24 pm  

W!64N_ENTHUSI45T wrote:

The shame is, why can a 17 year old Watkins be old enough to become a regular when a 20 year old Tomkins appears not to be in Nobles eyes

Proof that if your good enough your old enough

Because Brian Noble is stubborn and doesnt no genuine young talent even when it wacks him in the mush. Hes just about realised that Joel is improving massively and could posibly push for international honours in a couple of years
He still hasnt realised that Paul Prescott offers more that the awful, awful Andy Coley, or that Shaun Ainscough is better than Phelps

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:31 pm  

W!64N_ENTHUSI45T wrote:

The shame is, why can a 17 year old Watkins be old enough to become a regular when a 20 year old Tomkins appears not to be in Nobles eyes

Proof that if your good enough your old enough

To be fair leeds had about half a dozen players missing and he's only played a couple of other first team games so he probably wouldn't have been in if they had a fully fit squad. If we had 5 or so players out then i'm sure Sam would get a game. I just hope it doesn't take an injury crisis for him to get some games this season because then we would really have cause to question the youth policy.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:33 pm  

Watkins is exeptional.

I remember seeing him play for the academy for the first time and realising that this lad is a one off.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:36 pm  

Alex BP' wrote:

Watkins is exeptional.

I remember seeing him play for the academy for the first time and realising that this lad is a one off.

Dont worry, Phelpsy will smash him

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:37 pm  

But can't you see my point.

Leeds will be applauded by Eddie, Stevo, Paul Wilson and the rest for bringing in another youngster. (Watkins)

However the truth is they PAID him more than his local club could. It doesn't affect the salary cap so what the hell.

Eastmond at Saints, O'Carroll at Wigan etc.


What should happen?

Wigan should have control over St. Pats, St Judes, Rose Bridge etc and provide funding for those clubs. They then should have first pick of ANY players from those clubs.

Similarly Saints should have control over Pilks, Thatto Heath, Blackbrook etc.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:39 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

But can't you see my point.

Leeds will be applauded by Eddie, Stevo, Paul Wilson and the rest for bringing in another youngster. (Watkins)

However the truth is they PAID him more than his local club could. It doesn't affect the salary cap so what the hell.

Eastmond at Saints, O'Carroll at Wigan etc.


What should happen?

Wigan should have control over St. Pats, St Judes, Rose Bridge etc and provide funding for those clubs. They then should have first pick of ANY players from those clubs.

Similarly Saints should have control over Pilks, Thatto Heath, Blackbrook etc.

Totally agree Rogues

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:40 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Correct.
So what is the point.

Shouldn't he be at Salford.

If we want equality and salary cap rules, shouldn't it apply to junior talent.
How good could Oldham have been with Harris , Sculthorpe x 2, McDermott O'Carroll, Eastmond etc.

A lot worse than they are now.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:41 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

But can't you see my point.

Leeds will be applauded by Eddie, Stevo, Paul Wilson and the rest for bringing in another youngster. (Watkins)

However the truth is they PAID him more than his local club could. It doesn't affect the salary cap so what the hell.

Eastmond at Saints, O'Carroll at Wigan etc.


What should happen?

Wigan should have control over St. Pats, St Judes, Rose Bridge etc and provide funding for those clubs. They then should have first pick of ANY players from those clubs.

Similarly Saints should have control over Pilks, Thatto Heath, Blackbrook etc.

Fantastic post Brian. I totally agree regarding the club partnering up with the Juniors. Wigan should be putting any spare cash into the local amateur teams, Judes, Pats, Cuthberts, Shevington etc. If we cant spend the money on the salary cap then we should be preparing for 5, 10 and 15 years into the future. Get the current players down there coaching sides. Employ ex wigan players to coach them. Either way, give them some help. There is probably a team of wigan lads floating around superleague that would beat wigan which shouldnt happen

[DaveO]

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:43 pm  

Billinge_Lump wrote:

True enough, though I think the jury is still out on the last four you mention, they could go either way.

Which could happen with the names mentioned in the article at Saints. That is point I was making.

Dave

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:45 pm  

And do you know why the likes Leeds wouldn't agree.

They don't want to invest in the junior game. All these great Leeds academy players. Where do they come from.


Well the majority don't come from Leeds.