: Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:49 pm  

Coventry Warrior! wrote:

But then if that had been the case who would we have had on the wings?

Pryce may not have been fit enough. Roberts was meant to be signed for 2010 and Ainscough might not have had his chance.

At least this way we have good cover and the squad looks strong.

Surely we shouldn't be keeping a player on when they are so poor just because there is nobody else? Lenegan took a chance with Mathers and it hasn't paid off. Hopefully he realises this now and Mathers will leave if not soon but definitely at the end of the season.

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:49 pm  

Coventry Warrior! wrote:

Pat's best position is still on the wing, however the dross we have had to deal with since Rad's has left in terms of a defensive full back has been awful. And having a FB like Pat who is a good last line of defence and solid is far better.

However there are still a few sides to Pat's play at FB that aren't as good as the top FB's in the league like taking the ball up after a kick and his support play. You can already see that his support play is improving with the more games he plays at FB. He is nowhere near the standard of other FB's such as Webb, Greenshields and Briscoe however he does do a solid yet unspectacular job.

If we had a fullback like Webb in the team then we wouldnt have an option to play Pat there, however under the circumstances he is the best option we have.

I've posted on this before, but one more time won't hurt! (probably lol) On support play: He's consistently and constantly improving. That is one of the aspects of FB play that improves the more experience you gain in this position. To compare him to the likes of Webb, a lifelong fullback, is meaningless. He is showing all the signs of improvement in this area you could possibly expect for someone with a no more than a handful of games in this position, to the point where last Saturday he supported virtually every break and had Sam, for example, passed when he supported the break he could quite easily have had a hat-trick! How much better do you want at this stage of his FB career?

Re: taking the ball up. You need to differentiate between this and breaking the line. The former he is fine at, the latter is the weak part of his game. Because his positional play is excellent he consistently makes between 10- 15 metres on every return. He goes to ground quickly enabling a quick play the ball which on the back of the yardage made puts us on the front foot. He doesn't break the line as often as I (or others) would like but, given this is the one and only area of weakness in his game, and given all the other strengths he brings to the position is relatively minor. I'll happily forgo this for all the positives. Webb isn't perfect..he can be dodgy under the high ball for instance...but given all the other attributes he brings to the position he is still one of the best. Give him an extended run and at the rate he is progressing he will be among the best in the league. Indeed, as I said elsewhere, he already is.

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:24 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

I've posted on this before, but one more time won't hurt! (probably lol) On support play: He's consistently and constantly improving. That is one of the aspects of FB play that improves the more experience you gain in this position. To compare him to the likes of Webb, a lifelong fullback, is meaningless. He is showing all the signs of improvement in this area you could possibly expect for someone with a no more than a handful of games in this position, to the point where last Saturday he supported virtually every break and had Sam, for example, passed when he supported the break he could quite easily have had a hat-trick! How much better do you want at this stage of his FB career?

Re: taking the ball up. You need to differentiate between this and breaking the line. The former he is fine at, the latter is the weak part of his game. Because his positional play is excellent he consistently makes between 10- 15 metres on every return. He goes to ground quickly enabling a quick play the ball which on the back of the yardage made puts us on the front foot. He doesn't break the line as often as I (or others) would like but, given this is the one and only area of weakness in his game, and given all the other strengths he brings to the position is relatively minor. I'll happily forgo this for all the positives. Webb isn't perfect..he can be dodgy under the high ball for instance...but given all the other attributes he brings to the position he is still one of the best. Give him an extended run and at the rate he is progressing he will be among the best in the league. Indeed, as I said elsewhere, he already is.

Spot on in all observations. And Radders wasn't the best line breaker either, but he did all the other things well, just Paddy is doing now.

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:54 pm  

What about have we saw the last of tim smith because fans can stand losing when we have got wiganers in the side but when he is an aussie/kiwi were less forgiving.

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:46 pm  

those were the days wrote:

What about have we saw the last of tim smith because fans can stand losing when we have got wiganers in the side but when he is an aussie/kiwi were less forgiving.

There are certain personnel at the club who wouldn't be surprised if Tim didn't last the season - and it doesn't worry them too much.

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:49 pm  

those were the days wrote:

What about have we saw the last of tim smith because fans can stand losing when we have got wiganers in the side but when he is an aussie/kiwi were less forgiving.

being dropped might just give him the push he needs to start performing as he can

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:57 pm  

I can guarantee we haven't seen the last of him, other factors such as injuries will pave a way for him back into the side. Question is when he eventually gets back in, will he be good enough?

I certainly expect him to be leaving Wigan at the end of the season.

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:58 pm  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

There are certain personnel at the club who wouldn't be surprised if Tim didn't last the season - and it doesn't worry them too much.

The lad seems intent to ruin his career. Todd Carney is another, according to LE, was arrested again this week

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:02 pm  

AJ wrote:

The lad seems intent to ruin his career. Todd Carney is another, according to LE, was arrested again this week

Sadly, thats his choice, Wigan gave him a lifeline and a new start to revive his career. He just hasn't taken it.

I've heard plenty stories about him in/outside a well known pub in Wigan and I have seen him completely legless in the town centre, acceptable? Not in my opinion.

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:03 pm  

ROBINSON wrote:

Seems like I've been right all this and last season. Richards is best at fullback, is wasted on the wing, and is miles better than Mathers in that position.

finally other people admit it.....after donkeys of me getting slated for the only one on here who actually said richards best position is FB!! Richards is one of the best 3 FB in super league and has potential to be the best FB in SL IMO if he gets regular game time there.