Re: CC Wigan at Home : Mon May 22, 2023 7:40 pm  

Briscoe was good at the yardage and a good finisher, but gave me kittens under the high ball, and I’m sure there was one year his shoulders were knackered and he could barely contest a kick (granted not his fault).

A good servant and arguably still better than Olpherts. Luke wasn’t bad either, and he got us out of a jam a couple of times.

Re: CC Wigan at Home : Mon May 22, 2023 7:49 pm  

I must admit before a few weeks ago I had know idea who Tom Holroyd was.

Surprised to see him in the England team a few weeks ago.

Couldn’t be more impressed, one of the best players on the pitch the last 2 weeks.

Strong hard working and aggressive, combined with good size and seemingly a good attitude.

You’ve got a stud there

Re: CC Wigan at Home : Mon May 22, 2023 7:59 pm  

NSW wrote:

I must admit before a few weeks ago I had know idea who Tom Holroyd was.

Surprised to see him in the England team a few weeks ago.

Couldn’t be more impressed, one of the best players on the pitch the last 2 weeks.

Strong hard working and aggressive, combined with good size and seemingly a good attitude.

You’ve got a stud there

Yeh, him and Cam Smith been our best players so far this year.
Along with McDonnell who we poached from you lot....
If Tommy can stay injury free he'll become a top front rower.

Re: CC Wigan at Home : Tue May 23, 2023 7:48 am  

Yeah Smith great too, I like a ball playing loose forward rather than just another “middle”.

McDonnell is a weird one, I wasn’t too bothered when he left us. Didn’t see him as massively athletic and he given he was 22 which is a bit old for a prospect I thought he maybe follow the usual path of, head to Leigh or Salford then down to the championship.

But I was very wrong. Kick in the teeth for us that Isa and Farrell are heading towards the end and Nicholson is ripping it up at Wire, McDonnell been good for you and Pearce Paul off down under.

Luckily Nsemba looks decent

Re: CC Wigan at Home : Tue May 23, 2023 8:39 pm  

NSW wrote:

Yeah Smith great too, I like a ball playing loose forward rather than just another “middle”.

McDonnell is a weird one, I wasn’t too bothered when he left us. Didn’t see him as massively athletic and he given he was 22 which is a bit old for a prospect I thought he maybe follow the usual path of, head to Leigh or Salford then down to the championship.

But I was very wrong. Kick in the teeth for us that Isa and Farrell are heading towards the end and Nicholson is ripping it up at Wire, McDonnell been good for you and Pearce Paul off down under.

Luckily Nsemba looks decent

Yeh, Nsemba looks a handful tbf. Put himself about and mixed it with some of our big guys. Could be a good one.
Must admit I've been impressed with how Harry Smith has turned it round.
I know he was a stand out junior, but he looked out of his depth when he first came into your first team set up and I thought he might not make it.
But he looks a real talent now.
Good to see a young British half back with a rugby brain and a great short kicking game.
Good on him.
And agree on our Cam Smith.
He's a real throw back to a classic ball handling 13, and he has an incredible work rate.
Not many of those around these days.

Re: CC Wigan at Home : Tue May 23, 2023 10:18 pm  

Senior did not pass well until Tony Smith got hold of him, so Newman has time. He would also benefit from a quality, quick winger outside him to pass to and give teams more to worry about. As others have said if we had some real class like bevan french it would make a big difference all round.

Re: CC Wigan at Home : Wed May 24, 2023 4:32 am  

but we don't have tony smith. we have the poundshop version

Re: CC Wigan at Home : Wed May 24, 2023 8:03 am  

tad rhino wrote:

but we don't have tony smith. we have the poundshop version

Which was said about Tony Smith and Brian Smith when Tony joined.

Re: CC Wigan at Home : Wed May 24, 2023 8:23 am  

really? by who? I never heard or read it

Re: CC Wigan at Home : Wed May 24, 2023 10:07 am  

tad rhino wrote:

really? by who? I never heard or read it

There were definitely calls of we've signed the cheaper Smith coach at the time both on here and on the terraces, it's 20 years ago, sorry if I can't find or remember the exact posters names

Tony Smith had done nothing of note at all when he joined us, he inherited a side that had got to a CC final and just missed out on getting to the Grand Final, had a core of once in a generation players and some very good experienced pros.

Comparing Rohan and Tony at this stage of their respective Leeds coaching careers, is pointless, and even if you did I'd say Rohan's achievement last year of taking a side in 11th to a GF was equal to Smith's first year at Leeds, simply due to the circumstances.