Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Mar 11, 2024 11:33 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

If Isa retires at the end of 2024 I hope Wigan find him a position as head of development/community. He is a fantastic ambassador for the club and IMO would be perfect for that position.

Agreed and I've said the same many times.

There's literally no one I can think of who'd be better equipped to fill such a role. As a player he "failed" at the storm and had to rebuild in the UK. He chipped away at Widnes, moved to Wigan and has been an undoubted success. He's been coached by Bellamy, Wane, Peet etc. He's seen good culture, bad culture etc. The fact he's still playing at his age, shows that he looks after himself off the pitch.

If you wanted a role model for the next generation of Wigan lads, Isa ticks every box.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Mar 11, 2024 11:58 am  

sergeant pepper wrote:

Agreed and I've said the same many times.

There's literally no one I can think of who'd be better equipped to fill such a role. As a player he "failed" at the storm and had to rebuild in the UK. He chipped away at Widnes, moved to Wigan and has been an undoubted success. He's been coached by Bellamy, Wane, Peet etc. He's seen good culture, bad culture etc. The fact he's still playing at his age, shows that he looks after himself off the pitch.

If you wanted a role model for the next generation of Wigan lads, Isa ticks every box.

Isa a role model?? Ye gods

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:02 pm  

Zig wrote:

Winning at Saints is never easy, it wasn’t in the 80’s and 90’s and it won’t be in 2024.

It was at Wembley in 1989.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:41 pm  

thesaint71 wrote:

Isa a role model?? Ye gods

In every way possible, yes he is.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:57 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

In every way possible, yes he is.

Saints fans have a downer on Isa based on him losing his head for 10 or so minutes against them in '21, actions he was suspended for and released an unreserved apology for. Other than that game his discipline has been pretty solid for years, he's played wherever he's asked to, always leading from the front, defensively always been fantastic.
He's exactly the sort of player great Wigan sides have always been built around, good solid 100% professionals, willing to turn up and graft whenever asked and allow the star players around him to shine.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:02 pm  

thesaint71 wrote:

Isa a role model?? Ye gods

I can probably guess what you're referring to, was it three or four seasons ago when for whatever reason he lost it against you men in about three consecutive matches ?
Apart from that he's been exceptional, a real club man, dare I say Sam Panapaesque, just gets on with the job wherever he's asked to play, never a whisper of off field shenanigans or being anything other than totally professional in his attitude.
100% a role model for any junior coming through the ranks.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:30 pm  

spartakmixtapes wrote:

Saints fans have a downer on Isa based on him losing his head for 10 or so minutes against them in '21, actions he was suspended for and released an unreserved apology for. Other than that game his discipline has been pretty solid for years, he's played wherever he's asked to, always leading from the front, defensively always been fantastic.
He's exactly the sort of player great Wigan sides have always been built around, good solid 100% professionals, willing to turn up and graft whenever asked and allow the star players around him to shine.

Aye, they have never let it drop. In a funny way that spell showed why he is a role model. His head went and nobody can deny that but it was a poor time for the team and he was trying everything to inspire people around him. He shouldn't have done it but it showed how much he cares for the club and his team mates and it highlighted how much he hates losing. If a 10 minute spell of pretty harmless madness ruins every other action a person takes in their working life and their life away from the pitch then the vast majority of people would be snookered. He is absolutely outstanding in how he carries himself, how he deals with people and the way in which he drags every bit of talent out of himself.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:02 pm  

For a "squad"player Isa seems to be the first name on any team sheet he will be a very big miss as and when he does retire

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:44 pm  

apollosghost wrote:

I can probably guess what you're referring to, was it three or four seasons ago when for whatever reason he lost it against you men in about three consecutive matches ?
Apart from that he's been exceptional, a real club man, dare I say Sam Panapaesque, just gets on with the job wherever he's asked to play, never a whisper of off field shenanigans or being anything other than totally professional in his attitude.
100% a role model for any junior coming through the ranks.

He's a massive grub

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:48 pm  

thesaint71 wrote:

He's a massive grub

Think you've got him confused with Knowles