: Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:20 pm  

Oh a different note young winger Andrew Thornley, who was in our reserves last season, is expected to debut for Salford at St Helens on Friday.

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

Re: When Dean Bell was Chief Executive -"Wigan Youth" : Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:31 pm  

JTB wrote:

Seconded. These threads are like groundhog day at the moment and prove or dis-prove absolutely nothing. We've got a squad now of close to 25 experienced SL players and people are bemoaning the loss of Martin Aspinwall? Move on.

I'd watch your back after saying that.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:37 pm  

And, if people have to do this, can they leave Sean Long out of it? That was so long ago it's utterly irrelevant. Even if we'd kept hold of him back then, he'd still likely have moved on by now. Same with Haughton.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:43 pm  

tyr wrote:

And, if people have to do this, can they leave Sean Long out of it? That was so long ago it's utterly irrelevant. Even if we'd kept hold of him back then, he'd still likely have moved on by now. Same with Haughton.

We had the best of Haughton and he didn't play Rugby League at a decent level after that injury he sustained at Valley parade.

He joined Orrell RU and played on the wing. He played at Oldham too.

In fact, anybody know what he's upto these days?

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:46 pm  

tyr wrote:

And, if people have to do this, can they leave Sean Long out of it? That was so long ago it's utterly irrelevant. Even if we'd kept hold of him back then, he'd still likely have moved on by now. Same with Haughton.

Agreed. It's ridiculous to include the likes of Long and Gilmour - Wigan were top of the tree in those days, and well endowed in near enough every position. Whereas Haughton was a regular first-teamer and GB player, but seemed to run out of steam for no apparent reason. He had more than enough chances, but diminished as a force with spectacular and bewildering speed. If he'd kept it up, Wigan would never have released him.

We're really only talking about the likes of Aspinwall, Brown, Robinson, Briscoe, etc. And as has been said repeatedly, it's entirely a matter of opinion whether that lot would add anything to our team now. Most fans feel they wouldn't.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:54 pm  

If you watched the Huddersfield vs Hull game the other week...there isnt a single former Wigan player i'd have back. Not a one. Really.

Brown & Robinson for Tommy & Tomkins? No chance
Tickle/Wild for Hock/Hansen/Tomkins? Nope
Calderwood/Aspinwall/Hodgson/Briscoe for Pat/Amos/Ainscough/Carmont? Never

I'm very happy with what we have right now and these youngster would never have made us a force in SuperLeague so good luck to them in their respective teams and thankyou to them for their loyal service.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:01 pm  

Jeff the God of Biscuits wrote:

If you watched the Huddersfield vs Hull game the other week...there isnt a single former Wigan player i'd have back. Not a one. Really.

Brown & Robinson for Tommy & Tomkins? No chance
Tickle/Wild for Hock/Hansen/Tomkins? Nope
Calderwood/Aspinwall/Hodgson/Briscoe for Pat/Amos/Ainscough/Carmont? Never

I'm very happy with what we have right now and these youngster would never have made us a force in SuperLeague so good luck to them in their respective teams and thankyou to them for their loyal service.

I'd take Brown over Goulding and Tickle over Hansen.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:15 pm  

tyr wrote:

And, if people have to do this, can they leave Sean Long out of it? That was so long ago it's utterly irrelevant. Even if we'd kept hold of him back then, he'd still likely have moved on by now. Same with Haughton.

I was being sarcastic about all my inclusions, I'm happy with what we have now and which youngsters we are bringing in. Long term IMO they will be better than the ones we have let go.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:15 pm  

In hindsight Briscoe at Wigan, Phelps int bin apart from that im not sure any of the others would be worth it. Tickle is 50/50 i suppose and im not bothered about Hargreaves either.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:21 pm  

People mention Tickle but he doesn't deserve to come any where near the Wigan shirt again after his attitude and performances in 2006 (Both on and off field!).