Re: TV games (not Wire) : Sun Oct 13, 2024 7:43 am  

just_browny wrote:

This just comes across as a bit petulant. Wigan haven't got to where they have with a load of eye catching signings. French is a great player, but so are Williams and Dufty. Wigan are a great side because they get the best out of decent players like Miski, Leeming, Havard etc and work cohesively as a team.

We've got a lot of the cohesion this year but probably need to improve again in the forwards, including getting some big dinners into the likes of Holroyd and Whitehead. If we do that, we don't need to sign up the entire Dally M team of the year, and as you well know the salary cap wouldn't allow us to.

You say that but they signed the best centre in the league (who should be playing for us). Thompson was always going to be a fantastic signing. Keirhan is a good player - bloody good goal kicker too.

Dufty is not a great player. He’s a good player not great. French is on another planet to Dufty.

Re: TV games (not Wire) : Sun Oct 13, 2024 7:52 am  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

You say that but they signed the best centre in the league (who should be playing for us). Thompson was always going to be a fantastic signing. Keirhan is a good player - bloody good goal kicker too.

Dufty is not a great player. He’s a good player not great. French is on another planet to Dufty.

Wardle is a good player and has had a fine season. He had about three touches last night, one of which was blowing a try in a way that, if it had been Warrington and match-defining, would have seen an effigy of him hung up in front of the Rodney. But yes take your point that he has been a good addition. Keighran is no better than 'solid' imo as a centre bit yes a good goal kicker.

We will have to disagree on Dufty; I think his contribution this year has been extraordinary. Thousands of selfless tough carries on the 4th tackle, dozens of clean breaks, tries and assists from the back field.

Re: TV games (not Wire) : Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:01 am  

just_browny wrote:

Wardle is a good player and has had a fine season. He had about three touches last night, one of which was blowing a try in a way that, if it had been Warrington and match-defining, would have seen an effigy of him hung up in front of the Rodney. But yes take your point that he has been a good addition. Keighran is no better than 'solid' imo as a centre bit yes a good goal kicker.

We will have to disagree on Dufty; I think his contribution this year has been extraordinary. Thousands of selfless tough carries on the 4th tackle, dozens of clean breaks, tries and assists from the back field.

He’s the best centre in the comp there’s no doubt about it. Has everything you’d want in a centre. Speed, footwork, strong, can pass, scores and assists.

Don’t get me wrong I like Dufty but IMO, he’s still suspect under the high ball, which as a fullback should be your bread and butter. He also stagnates a few of our attacks IMO. He bombed a couple last week where he should have passed as the third man pivot but choses to go alone. He’s had a fine season but for me he needs to brush up in these two areas to be considered a ‘great’ player.

Re: TV games (not Wire) : Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:38 am  

Honestly, another close season under SB and co, a fit Fitzgibbon, a bit of meat on the younger forwards and teach Tai to pass and we will have a decent season. Won’t be a bad season anyway barring a disaster eg SB leaves and we sign Wellens as his replacement…

Re: TV games (not Wire) : Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:41 am  

Sorry meant to say (if Eammon McManus is reading) Wellens is a great coach who would improve any team so get him signed up for another 3 years before other teams come knocking.

Re: TV games (not Wire) : Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:43 am  

sally cinnamon wrote:

Once again Wigan show why they are the greatest sporting club in the world, possibly in any sport, certainly in rugby league. They are the benchmark for our great game. We were honestly privileged to be on the same pitch playing them at Wembley, just like in 1990 when we had an open top bus tour for losing to them.

It seems like the era of cherry and white dominance is starting again so it's time for us all to get down on our knees and suck on Uncle Joe's mintballs.

It works better if you occasionally post something positive.

Re: TV games (not Wire) : Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:58 am  

Wigan are quality but we’re not exactly a million miles off are we? We’ve also got some tremendous prospects coming through….one of whom I believe will be better than Wardle in the not too distant future. Getting Fitzgibbon fully fit is going to be huge and if I was coach I’d be spending a HUGE amount of time on Hayes and Leyland developing an effective kicking game.

Re: TV games (not Wire) : Sun Oct 13, 2024 9:55 am  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

You say that but they signed the best centre in the league (who should be playing for us). Thompson was always going to be a fantastic signing. Keirhan is a good player - bloody good goal kicker too.

Dufty is not a great player. He’s a good player not great. French is on another planet to Dufty.

Dufty is a fullback though and a better one than field. Field bottled out of a few high balls last night. The only ones he took were when nobody was putting pressure on him.

Re: TV games (not Wire) : Sun Oct 13, 2024 10:16 am  

just_browny wrote:

This just comes across as a bit petulant. Wigan haven't got to where they have with a load of eye catching signings. French is a great player, but so are Williams and Dufty. Wigan are a great side because they get the best out of decent players like Miski, Leeming, Havard etc and work cohesively as a team.

We've got a lot of the cohesion this year but probably need to improve again in the forwards, including getting some big dinners into the likes of Holroyd and Whitehead. If we do that, we don't need to sign up the entire Dally M team of the year, and as you well know the salary cap wouldn't allow us to.

Wasn't meant as petulant but I take your point.

In my view we are unproven at scrum half and limited at right centre.
We seem to be light in the forwards and our best forward may be leaving. We dont have a reliable goal kicker.

But we will see next season.

Re: TV games (not Wire) : Sun Oct 13, 2024 10:33 am  

Wires71 wrote:

Wasn't meant as petulant but I take your point.

In my view we are unproven at scrum half and limited at right centre.
We seem to be light in the forwards and our best forward may be leaving. We dont have a reliable goal kicker.

But we will see next season.

Pretty much said this myself regarding those positions and with reports of Russell in this mornings match I’m concerned. I did say when he was announced I did not see him as a replacement for Nicholson and that I’m not sure how we improve on this season.

Like you we will see next season I guess.