: Sat Feb 21, 2009 8:25 am  

king warrior wrote:

The best players for us tonight was 2 home grown players j tomkins and mom ainscough

what no feka??? the only player that took us forward and looked like making a bust. As my mate said it was like an under 9's game, just keep giving it to the big lad and let him take it forward.

: Sat Feb 21, 2009 8:38 am  

Leuluai would still be at Wigan, he isn't that old ?

: Sat Feb 21, 2009 8:57 am  

thornley has not signed and from a comment he made .. makes me wonder if he ever will

: Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:05 am  

Same as now - there'll be no backbone and all be spineless.

No danger of Sam Tomkin's getting game time this season unless we have a Good Friday-esque injury crisis.

Least he's starting to use the youngsters more - past couple of years we've had a 26 man or so squad yet Nobby only wants to use about 20 of them.

: Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:58 am  

MattyB wrote:

Indeed, just checked on him.

Mossop / Farrell / Vievers all names i've been told to keep my eye on, but anyone else have a view? It's imperative that 2 youth players make it into the squad each season, to allow us to eek out these imports!

3/4 Top Quality Imports plus a dozen Top Quality local lads = potential success.

We're stuck with some of the imports for a long time though. Ok so Bailey's contract is up at the end of the year, but haven't we just signed Riddell on a 3 year deal, Roberts on a 4 year deal, Pat's on a 3 year contract too.

: Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:09 am  

Katrina wrote:

We're stuck with some of the imports for a long time though. Ok so Bailey's contract is up at the end of the year, but haven't we just signed Riddell on a 3 year deal, Roberts on a 4 year deal, Pat's on a 3 year contract too.

Indeed.

I'd base the team around Roberts and Richards.

Bailey to go for me at the end of the season.
Smith will no doubt go as well.
As will Phelps and Leuluai.
Feka (not sure when his contract is up) - keep for few years for his impact play off the bench.
Riddle? Well he needs to shape himself quickly, lay off the pies and ale and get down to the gym.


UK Players

Coley - Must go season end.
Mathers - To go at the end of the season, better lads in Reserves.
Fielden - Massively Reduced contract required to stay as back up prop.

: Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:10 am  

Not a Wigan fan, but have developed a soft spot these last 2/3 years (I will never admit that in public though ).
What I cant understand is that with no relegation and the talent your junior system snaps up, why you invest in overseas short term mediocrity that blocks the development of local kids.
Noble has never given kids a chance, he always goes for safer options, he is a dinosaur.
I was very concerned about our recruitment at Leigh this year but what I saw on the park at Featherstone midweek was 16 lads who would die for each other, I recall the late 80's Wigan sides with Wane, Edwards, Betts, Kiss, McDermott etc there was a spirit and togetherness. What happened to it?

: Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:12 am  

Feka was the only player with a decent go forward and sense of urgency. Also thought McIlorum played well. We looked to have more zip when he was distributing.

: Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:13 am  

maurice wrote:

Not a Wigan fan, but have developed a soft spot these last 2/3 years (I will never admit that in public though ).
What I cant understand is that with no relegation and the talent your junior system snaps up, why you invest in overseas short term mediocrity that blocks the development of local kids.
Noble has never given kids a chance, he always goes for safer options, he is a dinosaur.
I was very concerned about our recruitment at Leigh this year but what I saw on the park at Featherstone midweek was 16 lads who would die for each other, I recall the late 80's Wigan sides with Wane, Edwards, Betts, Kiss, McDermott etc there was a spirit and togetherness. What happened to it?

Agree with everything you said there.

: Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:26 am  

nohalfbacks wrote:

Feka was the only player with a decent go forward and sense of urgency. Also thought McIlorum played well. We looked to have more zip when he was distributing.

He put in some massive hits in defence too.