Re: If I Was To Name My Greatest Ever Side... : Sun May 03, 2020 4:45 pm  

Jukesays wrote:

Hes the best Ive seen also

Not sure why theres any discussion around him being a FB
Hes played 99% of a 10 year career so far at FB, so hes a FB.

Ball in hand Hampson and Rads were limited, Sam is the best attacking FB I've seen at Wigan
Only cameos from Blake and Robert's come anywhere near close

I agree. Sam (for me) is the 2nd best British born Wigan player I've seen play for us in nearly forty years. First being Hanley, never mind full back.

His 2nd spell came back and played a totally different style of game which was successful, could very easily have let it all collapse. His part in Rectumgate prematurely ended his career with us I think, had that not happened (with his brother's subsequent departure) I think we may have fought off any bids for him.

Re: If I Was To Name My Greatest Ever Side... : Sun May 03, 2020 4:57 pm  

I'd take a 2010-2013 Tomkins over any version of Kris Radlinski

Re: If I Was To Name My Greatest Ever Side... : Sun May 03, 2020 5:13 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

1) Sam Tomkins
2) Billy Boston
3) Inga Tuigamala
4) Alan Davies
5) Marin Offiah
6) Brett Kenny
7) Shaun Edwards
8 ) Kelvin Skerrett
9) Martin Dermott
10) Brian McTigue
11) Andy Farrell
12) Dennis Betts
13) Ellery Hanley

14) Dean Bell
15) Craig Smith
16) Terry Newton
17) Sean O'Loughlin

Some interesting selections there.
No place for Bill Ashurst is a bit of a surprise.
I never saw Alan Davies but my older brothers raves about him. I always remember the photo of him after a win drinking a cup of tea as he was a Jehovah’s Witness.

Re: If I Was To Name My Greatest Ever Side... : Sun May 03, 2020 5:29 pm  

Charlie Sheen wrote:

I'd take a 2010-2013 Tomkins over any version of Kris Radlinski

In attack, every day of the week. Defensively, never in a million years.

Re: If I Was To Name My Greatest Ever Side... : Sun May 03, 2020 5:39 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

In attack, every day of the week. Defensively, never in a million years.

Same argument going on with Zak and French
Defensively he may have to make 2/3/4 situations in a game
Attacking wise a FB influences virtually EVERYTHING you do ball in hand.
Whilst Zak may have made quite a few great saves last year, weve looked far more dangerous and all round a better team IMO
I am certain at some point French will do something that will make someone say Hardaker would have saved that. But ball in hand he will have created 10x times more problems for the opposition in the meantime

And dont underestimate Sam defensively
He very rarely messed up and cost us games, and when a big tackle was needed or a high ball taking he very rarely let anyone down.

Re: If I Was To Name My Greatest Ever Side... : Sun May 03, 2020 5:47 pm  

Jukesays wrote:

Hes the best Ive seen also

Not sure why theres any discussion around him being a FB
Hes played 99% of a 10 year career so far at FB, so hes a FB.

Ball in hand Hampson and Rads were limited, Sam is the best attacking FB I've seen at Wigan
Only cameos from Blake and Robert's come anywhere near close

Agree with all of that
ST particularly in 2012 was brilliant and his reading of the game was fantastic.
KR and also George Fairburn were great players but justed lacked that extra bit of pace to make them that little bit special

Re: If I Was To Name My Greatest Ever Side... : Sun May 03, 2020 6:31 pm  

As a Leeds RL / Rhinos fan I have seen plenty of great Wigan players and sides since I first started watching the game in 1977 and despite having such a strong dislike of the Wigan club due to our strong club rivalries over the years but I also have a healthy respect for the Wigan club.
I have chosen a side that IMO is the best side that I have ever seen play live for Wigan

1- Sam Tomkins
2- Jason Robinson
3- Inga Tuigamala
4-Gary Connolly
5- Martin Offiah
6- Brett Kenny
7-Andy Gregory
8-Kelvin Skerrett
9-Terry Newton
10-Andy Platt
11-Andy Farrell
12-Dennis Betts
13-Ellery Hanley (Captain)

14-Shaun Edwards
15-Gene Miles
16-Terry O'Connor
17-Sean O'Loughlin

Re: If I Was To Name My Greatest Ever Side... : Sun May 03, 2020 7:41 pm  

Jukesays wrote:

Same argument going on with Zak and French
Defensively he may have to make 2/3/4 situations in a game
Attacking wise a FB influences virtually EVERYTHING you do ball in hand.
Whilst Zak may have made quite a few great saves last year, weve looked far more dangerous and all round a better team IMO
I am certain at some point French will do something that will make someone say Hardaker would have saved that. But ball in hand he will have created 10x times more problems for the opposition in the meantime

And dont underestimate Sam defensively
He very rarely messed up and cost us games, and when a big tackle was needed or a high ball taking he very rarely let anyone down.

The games changed massively and as you know, I haven't

Re: If I Was To Name My Greatest Ever Side... : Sun May 03, 2020 10:06 pm  

The Biffs Back wrote:

As a Leeds RL / Rhinos fan I have seen plenty of great Wigan players and sides since I first started watching the game in 1977 and despite having such a strong dislike of the Wigan club due to our strong club rivalries over the years but I also have a healthy respect for the Wigan club.
I have chosen a side that IMO is the best side that I have ever seen play live for Wigan

1- Sam Tomkins
2- Jason Robinson
3- Inga Tuigamala
4-Gary Connolly
5- Martin Offiah
6- Brett Kenny
7-Andy Gregory
8-Kelvin Skerrett
9-Terry Newton
10-Andy Platt
11-Andy Farrell
12-Dennis Betts
13-Ellery Hanley (Captain)

14-Shaun Edwards
15-Gene Miles
16-Terry O'Connor
17-Sean O'Loughlin

Thanks for your perspective

I do believe it's good sometimes to take other fans views on board (when not trolling obviously).
I know that when I watch other teams theres always players that I think "Frighten" you more than others. Players who always seem to pull something out the bag and players who if they're missing you breathe a sigh of relief.
Theres always the argument about players that may have been brilliant for 6 months (Kenny/Miles for example) compared to players who played significantly longer (Edwards/Bell).

I do think that's an honest appraisal from an opposing fan, and IMO it would difficult to criticise any selection.

The debate for me would be :-

Ferguson, butnto be fair Robinson was as good but was obviously here longer.
Bell/Miles for either of the 2 centres ???
Edward's at half back if you take his longevity and winners record into consideration
Craig Smith for skerret O'Connor
Dermott for Newton

I'm not saying any of them would replace the others definitely, just debate.

I've watched the game since just about the same time as yourself (I was 6 in 77)

Re: If I Was To Name My Greatest Ever Side... : Sun May 03, 2020 10:13 pm  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

Some interesting selections there.
No place for Bill Ashurst is a bit of a surprise.
I never saw Alan Davies but my older brothers raves about him. I always remember the photo of him after a win drinking a cup of tea as he was a Jehovah’s Witness.

My dad raved about Alan Davies, said he was good at Wigan, but even better at Oldham. Dosnt have the same profile at Wigan as say Ashton/Boston etc but by all.accounts he was some player.

My dad was also a massive Dave Bolton fan
After he died i took the family to Oz (not with anything he left me BTW ) and I got the chance to meet him.
That's was some Cruise around the Harbour!
Also had an hour discussion with Steve Roach, a pint with Laurie Daley and sang a karaoke with Benny Elias!!!