: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:40 pm  

Alex BP' wrote:

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!).

Exactly, and to be honest I wouldn't have him ahead of Hock, Hansen or Joel Tomkins.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:49 pm  

This topic rears it's head over and over again. The same answear comes back everytime from the majority which is there are very few players we've released in the last 6-8 years we'd have back in the squad. It's spot on.

Briscoe would probably the only player guarenteed a spot in our 17. The other 2 you could argue for are Brown and Tickle but it's a matter of opinion on those 2 and not everyone would want them.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 5:33 pm  

I would have Prescott and O'Carroll over Hargreaves anyday.

Of 3 props of all a similar age I think we retained the best ones.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 5:37 pm  

I don't think we should be too concerned with the players that we have released in the past.It is more important that the club retains and continues to develop the current crop of Wigan youngsters.

Already we have seen the impact that Sam Tomkins and Shaun Ainscough have made.Hopefully the likes of Ben Davies,Liam Farrell,Lee Mossop and Josh Veivers can push on and also challenge for first team opportunities in the near future.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 5:42 pm  

If most of those players that have left had left any other club than Wigan, nobody would bat an eye lid.

Its funny how Wigan get slated for doing it yet Leeds allow Raynor, Carvell and Dowes to slip through there fingers pretty much all superior players to lads we have allowed to leave and it hardly gets a mention.

If you invest in youth and have a good youth system in place it will always happen. It is impossible to retain all your young talent if you aim to be a successfull team, if you do retain them you will forever be in a period of transition.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:41 pm  

jonh wrote:

If most of those players that have left had left any other club than Wigan, nobody would bat an eye lid.

Its funny how Wigan get slated for doing it yet Leeds allow Raynor, Carvell and Dowes to slip through there fingers pretty much all superior players to lads we have allowed to leave and it hardly gets a mention.

If you invest in youth and have a good youth system in place it will always happen. It is impossible to retain all your young talent if you aim to be a successfull team, if you do retain them you will forever be in a period of transition.

And Calderwood and Mathers.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:42 pm  

MattyB wrote:

And Calderwood and Mathers.

And that just proves the point! Sometimes You get it Wrong and Sometimes you get it RIGHT!

Re: When Dean Bell was Chief Executive -"Wigan Youth" : Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:57 pm  

stusavage wrote: I remember reading an article a few years back interviewing Dean Bell in which the policy at the club was to focus on home grown talent. I don’t think having all Wigan grown talent in the team is realistic but certainly British talent could be the way forward. Imagine 1-17 british players? or even with three overseas players. Brian Foley must be gutted seeing all his hard work and youth development slip away from the club; we don’t need reminding how many former Wigan players are gracing SL today, just look at Huddersfield Giants. The impact during the game on Saturday from some of the youngsters could be seen by all. We now have Eamon O'carroll, Michael McIlorum, Paul Prescott, Joel Tomkins, Sam Tomkins, Sean Ainscough, Darrell Goulding that are either regulars in the first team or there abouts. Not to mention Gareth Hock and Sean O'loughlin established England internationals. Then we have two of the best reserve and academy squads in the league. Lee Mossop, Chris Tuson, Ben Davies, Mark Flanagan, Liam Farrell and Ian Thornley who will all be pushing for a place some time soon. Also we've had Harrison Hansen since he was just 17? What ever age it was he has progressed through the Wigan academy. And recently we have just signed up two really promising young talents to add to the other three we announced at the Castleford game. http://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=4590 I don't think we're doing to bad.

stusavage wrote: I remember reading an article a few years back interviewing Dean Bell in which the policy at the club was to focus on home grown talent. I don’t think having all Wigan grown talent in the team is realistic but certainly British talent could be the way forward. Imagine 1-17 british players? or even with three overseas players. Brian Foley must be gutted seeing all his hard work and youth development slip away from the club; we don’t need reminding how many former Wigan players are gracing SL today, just look at Huddersfield Giants. The impact during the game on Saturday from some of the youngsters could be seen by all. We now have Eamon O'carroll, Michael McIlorum, Paul Prescott, Joel Tomkins, Sam Tomkins, Sean Ainscough, Darrell Goulding that are either regulars in the first team or there abouts. Not to mention Gareth Hock and Sean O'loughlin established England internationals. Then we have two of the best reserve and academy squads in the league. Lee Mossop, Chris Tuson, Ben Davies, Mark Flanagan, Liam Farrell and Ian Thornley who will all be pushing for a place some time soon. Also we've had Harrison Hansen since he was just 17? What ever age it was he has progressed through the Wigan academy. And recently we have just signed up two really promising young talents to add to the other three we announced at the Castleford game. http://www.wiganwarriors.com/news_full.asp?newsid=4590 I don't think we're doing to bad.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:10 pm  

Just for prosperity here's a couple of Dean Bell era successes. (Been resurrecting old academy stuff recently on the site.) 2002 Junior Academy GF: Wigan 62 Hull 6 2003 Senior Academy GF: Bradford 30 Wigan 36 2005 Junior Academy GF: Leeds 22 Wigan 33

Just for prosperity here's a couple of Dean Bell era successes. (Been resurrecting old academy stuff recently on the site.) 2002 Junior Academy GF: Wigan 62 Hull 6 2003 Senior Academy GF: Bradford 30 Wigan 36 2005 Junior Academy GF: Leeds 22 Wigan 33

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:47 pm  

Bilko wrote: Just for prosperity here's a couple of Dean Bell era successes. (Been resurrecting old academy stuff recently on the site.) 2002 Junior Academy GF: Wigan 62 Hull 6 2003 Senior Academy GF: Bradford 30 Wigan 36 2005 Junior Academy GF: Leeds 22 Wigan 33 Just goes to show! Your Lucky To get 2 or 3 from each crop over a couple of seasons!

Bilko wrote: Just for prosperity here's a couple of Dean Bell era successes. (Been resurrecting old academy stuff recently on the site.) 2002 Junior Academy GF: Wigan 62 Hull 6 2003 Senior Academy GF: Bradford 30 Wigan 36 2005 Junior Academy GF: Leeds 22 Wigan 33 Just goes to show! Your Lucky To get 2 or 3 from each crop over a couple of seasons!