Ancient & Loyal wrote:
O'Carroll and Prescott have been brought in gradually, if they both stay injury free and Prescott can return to full fitness these are two young props who are ready for first team action everyweek. Brian Noble has overseen the gradual input of both O'Carroll and Prescott into the first team and it's proved effective. Lets hope Sam Tomkins and Ainscough follow in the same vein.
If he had not played O'Carroll and Prescott who else would he have played? Don't forget in his first season IL said we would not sign any new props given who we had on the books. Nobby had no choice but to play these two players.
If O'Loughlin had not got injured would J Tomkins have got the game time last season and left Noble with the dilemma of which back row to drop (one he has not worked out the answer to yet)? I would say not.
Had injuries to the likes of Phelps and suspensions not occurred would he have played Ainscough and S Tomkins? I would say not again.
It seems pretty clear to me he has only played younger players and diverted from his preferred 1st team ever since he has been at Wigan when his had was forced.
Unless someone can convince me otherwise I would not be surprised if this is how the young players at Bradford came through as well i.e. not due to a deliberate policy of Noble's but only when his had was forced.
Unless you look at the circumstances as to when new players get introduced it looks as though Noble has been responsible for bringing in young talent at Wigan i.e the players I mention above J & S Tomkins, O'Carroll, Prescott and Ainscough. In fact when you look at the circumstances of their debuts his had was forced into playing them each time.
Anyone who thinks different is daft IMO.
Dave