Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jan 20, 2016 8:52 pm  

Don't see how we can get the best out of either Mic Mac or Powell when they play 20 mins then off or on as the case may be.
Last year at Hudds MicMac was interchanged after 20 by Powell and we fell apart as we do away from home when we interchage the 9 from the bench.
Powell played the second 40 mins as Micky didn't return and was brilliant.
He controlled the show and ran Hudds ragged. We scored 4 tries to 1 away from home and won the 2nd half 6-20. It was his best game for us all season.
Proves what you can do when you don't interchange the 9 from the bench.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jan 20, 2016 9:13 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

Don't see how we can get the best out of either Mic Mac or Powell when they play 20 mins then off or on as the case may be.
Last year at Hudds MicMac was interchanged after 20 by Powell and we fell apart as we do away from home when we interchage the 9 from the bench.
Powell played the second 40 mins as Micky didn't return and was brilliant.
He controlled the show and ran Hudds ragged. We scored 4 tries to 1 away from home and won the 2nd half 6-20. It was his best game for us all season.
Proves what you can do when you don't interchange the 9 from the bench.

You only need to look at the world's top hookers to see that they all put massive shifts in.

Having a 2nd hooker isn't relevant anymore imo. Every top side needs a top #9 and needs them on the pitch for the majority of the game.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jan 20, 2016 9:48 pm  

I may have rose tinted specs but I don't see a weakness in our hooking options particularly. We certainly use different types of hookers to Roby, Clark, Burrow etc but Micky Mac is hugely important to us. I really don't think you can underestimate the importance of the aggression he shows in defence. We were a little soft a few years back and when Maguire came in he changed all that and since then Micky Mac has lead from the front and kept that going.

His job is a simple one in attack and he does that fine but defensively he's a leader and he intimidates opposition. I think he's massive for this Wigan team.

I do think that we could potentially work a little better if we had an impact hooker on the back of Micky Mac but we don't really play that style.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:45 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

I may have rose tinted specs but I don't see a weakness in our hooking options particularly. We certainly use different types of hookers to Roby, Clark, Burrow etc but Micky Mac is hugely important to us. I really don't think you can underestimate the importance of the aggression he shows in defence. We were a little soft a few years back and when Maguire came in he changed all that and since then Micky Mac has lead from the front and kept that going.

His job is a simple one in attack and he does that fine but defensively he's a leader and he intimidates opposition. I think he's massive for this Wigan team.

I do think that we could potentially work a little better if we had an impact hooker on the back of Micky Mac but we don't really play that style.

Wholeheartadly (sp?) agree about MM. Vast majority of opposition fans wiuld never admit it but they would welcome him with open arms. Imagine him starting at saints with roby off the bench.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:06 pm  

MicMac is great but doesn't play long enough.
When we're away from home and he goes off we lose the intensity, initiative and usually the game. The man off the bench is not up to the pace of our game either physically or mentally and our fast paced, aggressive game is lost.
Either keep MM out there or interchange him with a man who started the half with the half back off the bench going into the halves.
The problem at 9 I think is the major reason our away form is so dreadful.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 21, 2016 8:38 pm  

When people praise Micky they never refer to qualities a hooker must possess. They refer to hard hits, aggressive defence etc. Not gain quick years off a scoot, controlling the pace of the game, excellent distribution or bringing the forwards into the game off quick PTB etc.

Good player YES, good 9; debatable.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jan 22, 2016 5:42 am  

When MM first came on the scene I really didn't rate him at all. In fact many of the posts I have read on the last few pages nearly word for word echo what I said about him.

Now I guess much depends on what roll you expect your hooker to take in your team. If you want a scooter then fair enough but rarely do you get a hooked that scoots successfully and consistently well and also controls the game. MM when he first came on the scene did neither.

I'm not one who believes in the statement that is often chucked out when clubs sign an experienced player that "they will help develop the youngsters", but I think working with Piggy was great for MM as he learned how to lead us round the pitch and control us and that is what he has become very very good at. Obviously we miss his intensity when he goes off in defence but more importantly for me we tend to start drifting around the field with nobody directing us and putting us in correct areas of the pitch on which to build an attack.

For me MM is a belting hooker, his delevery is normally fast and accurate, he drives us round the field, his defence is outstanding and he is arguably now out pack leader for most of the year due to Locky often being absent. Add to this he is clearly working on his kicking game which improves every year.

Do I wish he had a more effective scoot? Yes, but he is not built that way, so I'm more than happy with what he brings to the table. If I am honest I think the club have let the squad down by not signing a back up hooker that compliments his style and changes things up when he comes off. Logan showed at times he could be that quality impact style hooker but not nearly enough, and up to now when Powell has come on we look rudderless despite him giving his all, he has so far looked very inexperienced in that position, which he is, and he doesn't bring anything different to the table to challenge the opposition that MM doesn't already have in his locker. You could argue Powell has a better scoot but that is it and it is still not a too class scoot as he also lacks that explosive pace and acceleration required to be a consistent and realistic threat to opposition defences.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jan 25, 2016 11:51 am  

Is there no Fantasy rugby league this year as nothing as been said.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jan 26, 2016 7:46 pm  

Ashton Bears wrote:

Is there no Fantasy rugby league this year as nothing as been said.

There isn't going to be one. Someone asked about it on the VT and Sadfish explained that there won't be one as neither Sadfish nor SouthStander.com who organise it and create the code to run it are able to commit the time to setting it up due to work commitments.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jan 27, 2016 7:07 am  

wiganermike wrote:

There isn't going to be one. Someone asked about it on the VT and Sadfish explained that there won't be one as neither Sadfish nor SouthStander.com who organise it and create the code to run it are able to commit the time to setting it up due to work commitments.

Thanks