If Netherton is rubbish, why was he recruited (in place of Smithy of all people) and why was he playing at Leigh, despite poor performances by him and good performances by Lunt, and why have they all now been replaced by Tomkins?
What happens if he does become brilliant and lifts the team, and then Wigan recall him?
These two dual-regs simply show that we have recruited very poorly. It shows a great deal of short sightedness, with regards to our long term aims, and it makes a mockery of our claim that we trying to bring through our own players. This was a perfect opportunity to blood our own young players. Even if they didn't win, they'd have gained valuable experience from it.
We are neither doing one thing or another here. The coaching staff are admitting that they have got it wrong and are now acting in complete desperation. I wouldn’t be surprised if SOC hasn’t laid the law down and told the coaching staff to start winning games or you’ll be shipped out, and this is all they can come up with.
If this doesn’t work, what do they do next?
I understand what you are saying, but as you say SOC may have said get results on the pitch. We have recruited badly with players like Netherton,Gaz Haggerty,and ropati.Netherton has had 2 good games in how many games?I would love to see our youngsters come through, but i feel we will see more once in Superleague.If not good enough they play in a better reserve division to prove how good they are, and maybe go on dual to a Championship team.You look at the clubs in Superleague only a handful make it, and others go elsewhere to find their level.For example at Widnes there was Yates,Bowman,Draper,Strong,Ainscough,Crook,Donoghue who are Championship 1 or top amateur level.
Little Pepe went to nursery school one day wearing his Widnes hat. His teacher asked him why he was a Widnes fan. He said, “Because my parents are.” His teacher said, “That’s not good. What would you do if your parents were drug dealers and hookers?” He replied, “Well then I would be a Warrington fan.”
There's a Wooly over there, baggy kecks and feathered hair with a 3 star jumper half way up his back, that’s a fecking Wooly back! Oooh-to… Oooh-to-be… Oooh-to-be-a… WOOLY!
Championship team.You look at the clubs in Superleague only a handful make it, and others go elsewhere to find their level.For example at Widnes there was Yates,Bowman,Draper,Strong,Ainscough,Crook,Donoghue who are Championship 1 or top amateur level.
I agree that only a small percentage will actually make it to full pro. But none of them will make it if none of them a getting a fecking chance and their only chance of first team rugby is taken by someone elses academy players. It's best to find out now, rather when we are in SL, if they are likely to make it or not.
We already know that Lunt and Houghton won't let us down.
It also seems that even good players are reduced to sh/te, by our coaching staff. I don't think Netherton is actually all that bad. Not SL standard maybe, but not that bad. Lunt is a better option anyway, for so many reasons. Until we have a better coach at the club, we'll never get the best out of our players. That's the problem, and it won't be fixed by a couple of dual-reggers from Wigan.
I agree that only a small percentage will actually make it to full pro. But none of them will make it if none of them a getting a fecking chance and their only chance of first team rugby is taken by someone elses academy players. It's best to find out now, rather when we are in SL, if they are likely to make it or not.
We already know that Lunt and Houghton won't let us down.
It also seems that even good players are reduced to sh/te, by our coaching staff. I don't think Netherton is actually all that bad. Not SL standard maybe, but not that bad. Lunt is a better option anyway, for so many reasons. Until we have a better coach at the club, we'll never get the best out of our players. That's the problem, and it won't be fixed by a couple of dual-reggers from Wigan.
I see your view point Pepe, and Lunt will still get chances even with these players on dual.The players we have brought in are top notch, as even on the Wigan forum they say Thompkins a stand out player, and Crosby better than Ben Davies.If we play Houghton he will try but maybe not as good as Crosby.To get the 7000 members or even close to it we need to start winning games.Winning is more of an attraction than getting thumped by 50. If we get the full salary cap we can entice quality players from NRL with a mix of top youngsters.We may even offer one of these duals a contract, who knows mate. This time next year if Houghton is good enough he will stand out in the Superleague reserves then go on dual to a Championship club.If impresses enough maybe a first team appearance.Have some patience Pepe we will be ok.Anyway we have Hecky,Haggertyjunior,Gaz Haggerty and Craven out injured and 4 players on disciplinary.We may still need to use our reserves after all, as we have a busy month of games.
Little Pepe went to nursery school one day wearing his Widnes hat. His teacher asked him why he was a Widnes fan. He said, “Because my parents are.” His teacher said, “That’s not good. What would you do if your parents were drug dealers and hookers?” He replied, “Well then I would be a Warrington fan.”
There's a Wooly over there, baggy kecks and feathered hair with a 3 star jumper half way up his back, that’s a fecking Wooly back! Oooh-to… Oooh-to-be… Oooh-to-be-a… WOOLY!
I see your view point Pepe, and Lunt will still get chances even with these players on dual.The players we have brought in are top notch, as even on the Wigan forum they say Thompkins a stand out player, and Crosby better than Ben Davies.If we play Houghton he will try but maybe not as good as Crosby.To get the 7000 members or even close to it we need to start winning games.Winning is more of an attraction than getting thumped by 50. If we get the full salary cap we can entice quality players from NRL with a mix of top youngsters.We may even offer one of these duals a contract, who knows mate. This time next year if Houghton is good enough he will stand out in the Superleague reserves then go on dual to a Championship club.If impresses enough maybe a first team appearance.Have some patience Pepe we will be ok.Anyway we have Hecky,Haggertyjunior,Gaz Haggerty and Craven out injured and 4 players on disciplinary.We may still need to use our reserves after all, as we have a busy month of games.
Three of the players are only out for one game and we have plenty of cover, both in the first team squad and academies, for Gaskell. No need at all for Dual-reg to cover them. Houghton is 21 and fast running out of time to prove himself. This was an ideal opportunity for him. At least we know that he'll be available for the whole season. We had our fingers burnt last year with this dual-reg crap. I agree that we need to win games, but the reason why we aren't is down to poor recruitment and poor coaching. This is what needs to be addressed. This is the problem that I am highlighting. This is the same coaching staff that could be here next season making the same mistakes and overlooking our own junior development prospects.
You have been the most vocal poster of any of us on any board I’ve looked at, where you post, on bringing our own youngsters through. If anything, you’ve suggested practically filling the team with them, and now you don’t want them, in favour of two Wigan players?
Whilst I wouldn’t want to put as many youngsters in the first team as you have wanted to do, this was a perfect opportunity for two lads (Houghton and Lunt) who are clearly ready now.
I know that Tompkins and Crosby may be of a higher standard right now and perhaps help us win more games, but they can both be recalled and that’s the last we ever see of them and our season collapses again, as it did last season, as a result.
Be in no doubt. This move smacks of pure desperation.
Pepe i am still vocal of our youngsters been played mate, i just think we need to get results now. These youngsters will be a little bit fitter than our youngsters due to been fulltime.Next season our best will be fitter,stronger,and maybe just as good or better.I have had a rethink and if play too many youngsters and play rubbish their confidence will be lost.Anyway i am not 100% sure about Betts even though was a great player but we need to support him for this season.Maybe Betts needs time as i bet he has not seen much Championship rugby for the last few years.
You seem suicidal because McNamara hasn't picked your precious Mickey Mac, who's better than Roby, and Darryl 'Meninga' Goulding who makes Jamie Lyon look like an amateur.
same. im willing to give betts the benefit of the doubt for the time being. he is a newbie at this after all. you never know, he may just turn out to be a very good coach once hes endured for a while and hopefully learned the lessons he should be learning. this season could be poor, but could also be beneficial if betts comes out fighting next season a much better, more rounded coach as a result of this years experiences. and its far too early to judge that at the moment. assuming he can reflect and recognise his incorrect decisions and learn from them, i am not overly fussed about not being world beaters this year. think of it as speculating to accumulate. he is new at this and just like our youngsters we shouldnt expect the world immediately. as OFFTHECUFF says, whilst i can understand the wish for our young lads to be thrown in now for some experience (as we do really have nothing to lose this year) i find this desire tempered by a wish to avoid instigating a crisis of confidence amongst the youngesters if things dont go well. with regards to Dennis Betts position, this is not an option for him. he is actually 'newer' to the demands of first team coaching than many of the academy products are to first team rugby. but there is not the option of introducing him slowly to the role, as there is with the academy products. Steve Oconnor has taken a gamble employing an inexperienced, unproven coach. i didnt expect him to be brilliant at it from day one, and only a fool would. im willing to wait and see, becoming a first team coach is a steep learning curve. and Dennis hasnt had nearly enough time to gain the experience and learn the lessons he needs to in order to be a good coach. something which with hindsight, was manifestly obvious when we took him on (given it is his first team coaching debut). so the fact he isnt a world beating coach from day one shouldnt be a surprise. lets wait and see if he can fulfill his potential. not panic before he has really had a chance.
Don't you all think that because the first team is playing garbage that they(the coaching staff) are hoping for a pot for the reserves, seeing that they are way and beyond the others in their league? Wirking on the assumption that one pot is better than none at all!
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We have recruited badly with players like Netherton,Gaz Haggerty,and ropati.Netherton has had 2 good games in how many games?I would love to see our youngsters come through, but i feel we will see more once in Superleague.If not good enough they play in a better reserve division to prove how good they are, and maybe go on dual to a Championship team.You look at the clubs in Superleague only a handful make it, and others go elsewhere to find their level.For example at Widnes there was Yates,Bowman,Draper,Strong,Ainscough,Crook,Donoghue who are Championship 1 or top amateur level. 
