Couple of things, there were alot of fans (me included) wanting to see more of Wheeler. Some people want it all their own way. Happy to call Meli not a centre, happy to diride Meli, and when Meli is replaced, happy to do more of the same on the replacement. No doubt should Wheeler be replaced with Makinson and it not work out, they will diride the coach for running out best winger and putting him in the centre.
I want Wheeler to get a contract, I know we have all joked about his biscuit status, but seriously, he's a very good player.
Foster: I think his head has gone.
This is not saying I think his head is too big etc etc. I think his confidence has gone. He was a good safe defender, catching balls, defending his line until mid-way last season. It has not come back. I remember these discussions over other wingers in the past. He needs more game time verse drop him. I remember seeing wingers get more time week after week after week. All that did was give the opposition more and more time to hit his confidence. Target him and therefore make him more of a scapegoat, and rather than support fans start to get tired of the same or worse week after week.
It think a stint in the reserves takes the pressure off and lets a lad do what they need to do, get the match practice without the pressure. I don't want to see foster fail, but if we keep throwing him out their hoping it will fix it'self, it won't.
In the academy those high balls and defensive patterns will not be as exposed to so much hype. He will simply have to concentrate on rugby, and getting into a routine, once that routine is in place, then bring him back for a non-televised match, or CC match.
The wing spot long term is his to loose, Ade will not be around for ever. But in terms of competition for places at the moment it's not bringing the best out of him.
