: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:20 am  

The man is an RU man.

He would be here only for the £££.

No thanks.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:23 am  

jonh wrote:

Do not think we are turd, we are a quality side, in SL that are failing badly. We are not a first or second team but we are far better than we have shown for all but 1 of our performances this year.

I will be honest here. Wigan IMO are about 4 or 5 top players away from being able to challenge for honors consistently. I'd say you need 2 props, 2 centres and an impact 2nd rower. You have some top class players (Richards, TL, Hock - although his temperament and maturity leave a lot to be desired given his experience. Fekka, O'Loughlin) and some great young prospects, in Tomkins, and Ainscough but you have far too many average players (Bailey, Roberts, Ridell, Coley, Carmont - I know some Wigan fans will strongly disagree but I think his defense is shocking at times, Fielden - again some may disagree but I don't think he'll ever be the top class player he was. There are times when you can see what Wigan are trying to do in attack but they don't have the quality to execute what they want to do.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:26 am  

John D H wrote:

I will be honest here. Wigan IMO are about 4 or 5 top players away from being able to challenge for honors consistently.

think youd find most wigan fans would agree with you on that one.

John D H wrote:

I'd say you need 2 props, 2 centres and an impact 2nd rower. You have some top class players (Richards, TL, Hock - although his temperament and maturity leave a lot to be desired given his experience. Fekka, O'Loughlin) and some great young prospects, in Tomkins, and Ainscough but you have far too many average players (Bailey, Roberts, Ridell, Coley, Carmont - I know some Wigan fans will strongly disagree but I think his defense is shocking at times.

too early to make judgment on ridell and roberts for me but you're spot on with the others... except carmont. some great players have suspect defence eg brent webb

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:27 am  

jonh wrote:

After watching the NRL games today and the general level of the 6 nations i would say both competitions are superior to SL at the moment in regards skill level intensity and comittment.

TBH honest I would expect a top international competition to be more intense than a club comp. But the regards the 6 nations and superior skill, are sure??? Even the Union die hards are forever lambasting the inferior skill on show.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:27 am  

Catalancs wrote:

are you being serious?italy have been embarrassing. england have no ideas. scotland spend the game either playing aerial tennis or pass and drive.
ireland have been superb (except for the boreathon that was the england game at croke park). france have tried but it largely hasnt come off. wales started off well but have run out of steam somewhat.

Sadly Yes.

6 years ago the onfield product was improving now it is in my opinoion falling short of the previous year.

The skill, defence and pace of union has not only improved but sadly exceeded the current standard of the SL comp.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:29 am  

John D H wrote:

TBH honest I would expect a top international competition to be more intense than a club comp. But the regards the 6 nations and superior skill, are sure??? Even the Union die hards are forever lambasting the inferior skill on show.

I feel we have become reliant on the support of the comemtators like the WWE or UFC to make our game seem exciting. The skills in my opinion have fallen significantly in the last few years.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:30 am  

jonh wrote:

Sadly Yes.

6 years ago the onfield product was improving now it is in my opinoion falling short of the previous year.

The skill, defence and pace of union has not only improved but sadly exceeded the current standard of the SL comp.

ive said on other threads that the standard of SL has declined, especially so far this season, but at the same time the standard of the six nations has been disappointing. im still waiting for a game to grip me and get me to shout at the telly.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:31 am  

Catalancs wrote:

think youd find most wigan fans would agree with you on that one.




too early to make judgment on ridell and roberts for me but you're spot on with the others... except carmont. some great players have suspect defence eg brent webb

Webb's defense is fine, his positioning is very good and he is safe enough under the high ball and fielding kicks. His one on one tackling is again good enough. I've never been one for blaming full backs for missing tackles, as they shouldn't really be having to make them if te rest of the team does its job.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:31 am  

jonh wrote:

I feel we have become reliant on the support of the comemtators like the WWE or UFC to make our game seem exciting. The skills in my opinion have fallen significantly in the last few years.

Noone who is honest about the sport can disagree.

Saints fans won't, but they are one of the worst examples.

The obsession with "Scoot" and quick PTB has taken our game so far backwards I wonder if we will ever recover.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:33 am  

John D H wrote:

Webb's defense is fine, his positioning is very good and he is safe enough under the high ball and fielding kicks. His one on one tackling is again good enough. I've never been one for blaming full backs for missing tackles, as they shouldn't really be having to make them if te rest of the team does its job.

we'll just have to agree to disagree and to be fair you've probably seen more of the lad than i. maybe ive just caught a few of his off moments.