Re: Manfredi : Thu Oct 18, 2018 11:14 am  

I like Tom Johnstone and I have no problem with Wakey fans fighting his corner. Dom Manfredi is the best winger in Superleague though, period. There isn't a weakness in his game and he does everything to the highest level. He is Hall-like in his consistency. TJ can blow hot and cold, even to the point of being dropped. That said, if he continues with his recent record of consistency, I can see many more discussions of this nature over the coming years. Fingers crossed they both have their fitness nightmares behind them.

Re: Manfredi : Thu Oct 18, 2018 11:17 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

I like Tom Johnstone and I have no problem with Wakey fans fighting his corner. Dom Manfredi is the best winger in Superleague' though, period. There isn't a weakness in his game and he does everything to the highest level. He is Hall-like in his consistency. TJ can blow hot and cold, even to the point of being dropped. That said, if he continues with his recent record of consistency, I can see many more discussions of this nature over the coming years. Fingers crossed they both have their fitness nightmares behind them.

No he isn't, get a grip, is there no end to some Wigan fans arrogance? Since when has TJ blown hot and cold, sop making up rubbish. He was dropped once early in the season big wow. Blowing hot and old with 25 tries, seriously don't think I've ever read a more stupid comment.

Re: Manfredi : Thu Oct 18, 2018 11:38 am  

vastman wrote:

No he isn't, get a grip, is there no end to some Wigan fans arrogance? Since when has TJ blown hot and cold, sop making up rubbish. He was dropped once early in the season big wow. Blowing hot and old with 25 tries, seriously don't think I've ever read a more stupid comment.

So he was dropped for his consistency then?

Re: Manfredi : Thu Oct 18, 2018 12:11 pm  

vastman wrote:

No he isn't, get a grip, is there no end to some Wigan fans arrogance? Since when has TJ blown hot and cold, sop making up rubbish. He was dropped once early in the season big wow. Blowing hot and old with 25 tries, seriously don't think I've ever read a more stupid comment.

To be fair, I don't think we'd say that any of our other players (bar SO'L) are the best in their position. Gildart in the future perhaps, but we're very well off for wingers and a fully fit Manfredi is clearly the best of a very good bunch.

As others have said, he's just frighteningly well rounded, can score any kind of try but also defends & runs his weight as well as any outside-back in the comp. Pound-for-pound as hard as any player in the league, brilliant in the air with excellent footwork, phenomenal awareness. Wigan's attack hasn't been all that great going to our right hand side for a few years now, but he's the sort of player who can create tries for himself out of nothing.

Johnstone is a very, very good winger who deserves his place in the England set up in front of Dom seeing as he's only been fit for a couple of months. I don't accept that he's a better player though, or that any winger in SL is for that matter (on-form Ryan Hall probably was with his all-round game, but that's another debate).

Re: Manfredi : Thu Oct 18, 2018 12:41 pm  

I also think Manfredi is the best winger in SL and after a full preseason with us, should be in contention this time next year.

Re: Manfredi : Thu Oct 18, 2018 4:52 pm  

KingRoss11 wrote:

Personally I’d be trying to make Burgess into a centre over pre season, has shown glimpses of potential in that position and has a decent passing game although the main worry is his defence in that position. A backline of Hardaker (presuming he stays) Manfredi Gildart Burgess and Davies is a very good one

I’ve seen enough to be happy in my conviction that Manfredi and Davies are right wingers, whilst Burgess and Marshall are left wingers.

When any of them swap to the other wing they aren’t as good.

For me, on the left it’s Marshall over Davies, but on the right it’s Davies over Marshall.

Same thing applies with Manfredi and Burgess.

Re: Manfredi : Thu Oct 18, 2018 6:46 pm  

Personally I’d go with, all things being equal, Jerry M as the top winger in the comp, however I think both Manfredi and TJ have the potential to surpass him.

Rightly so in my opinion he was Jerry was regarded as the best winger in the World after the World Cup and whilst Giants have struggled and he hasn’t notched up the tries his ability to make yards after contact and his core skills are still outstanding. I wouldn’t however swap him for Manfredi due to where both are in their respective development and careers.

Interesting comment from Vasty regarding arrogant Wigan fans. This comment may carry some credibility from some posters however a man that consistentenly called 7 time Dream Team player, England Academy, Knights, England, Wigan Captain with numerous trophies throughout his almost unrivalled career at every level of the game as poor, sadly doesn’t carry much weight with most realistic and non blinkered posters.

Re: Manfredi : Thu Oct 18, 2018 7:08 pm  

Arrogant for saying exactly the same thing as he'd said too. How does that work? Apparently you can't score 25 tries and blow hot and cold either. Better tell that to Ben Barba as it seems he is unaware of this fact!

Good shout on McGillvary. I definitely think he is first choice for England and his skill set is definitely suited to that environment. 2015 aside though, I don't think he has ever really set Superleague' alight so I'd be reluctant to proclaim him the best in Superleague'. However, I certainly wouldn't object to anyone else holding that view.

Re: Manfredi : Thu Oct 18, 2018 8:39 pm  

Greg Eden scored 40 try’s last season and he’s bog average!

I’ve said previously in this thread I won’t compare Manfredi to anyone or make any claims about him. He’ll write his own stories next season I’m sure. I’m a big Tom Johnstone fan but there is an element of Wakey fans who genuinely would have him a nudge ahead in a debate about who’s better between him and Billy Boston, Brian Bevan or Martin Offiah. I get they’re excited about the kid and rightfully so but give him a chance.

Re: Manfredi : Fri Oct 19, 2018 3:32 pm  

You could look at it this way: who would thrive in the NRL? I'd say JM, definitely,and Manfredi if he keeps current form up, too. Johnstone a maybe, Eden a definite nope! Hall: past his best.