First choice props : Sat Dec 14, 2019 2:54 pm  

Which 4 would you choose?

We have an abundance of competition for prop positions next year.

Which 4 would you choose?

Clubb
Burgess
Flower
Bullock
Clarke
Partington
Navarette
Byrne
Havard

I think my choice would be Burgess and Flower to Start, then Clubb and one of Bullock / Clarke to come off the bench as first choices

Reserves starting team would be Navarette and Byrne with Partington playing 13.

What are you thoughts?

Re: First choice props : Sat Dec 14, 2019 3:24 pm  

Burgess & Bullock starting

Flower, Byrne as “starting back ups” if you will

Clarke, Clubb, Navarette, Havard (blood slowly in) to fight it out for the rest.

Personally I’m starting to see Partington as more of a back rower than a prop but happy to see him in the “starting back up” line up.

At seasons end I think we’ll see Flower, Clubb and Navarette moved on. Opening up a lot more opportunities for Havard who I think has the potential to be a superb prop forward but will need time to grow into the role. He’s been awesome at U19 level but the step up to SL, especially in the prop forward position is a huge, huge step to make for an 18yr old.

Re: First choice props : Sat Dec 14, 2019 3:55 pm  

Clubb
Burgess
Flower
Bullock
Clarke
Partington
Navarette
Byrne
Havard

A saying springs to mind when I see this list. ‘Quantity over quality’.

Clubb- should have never been resigned. Makes me shudder to think could be one of our 4 props.
Burgess-needs to step up and return to former form. Been way from his best over the past few years.
Bullock-needs to drastically improve his D and fitness.
Clarke- looked bang average playing for Leigh in a lower league.
Partington- offers very little in attack. Average in D.
Naverette-so unpredictable. Can be solid or can be god awful.
Byrne-good prospect.
Havard-too young and untested to comment.
Flower-arguably past it. Suffered from injures last season. Don’t know if they effected his performances or if he’s just had his day. Looked bang average last season.

Re: First choice props : Sat Dec 14, 2019 4:10 pm  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

Clubb
Burgess
Flower
Bullock
Clarke
Partington
Navarette
Byrne
Havard

A saying springs to mind when I see this list. ‘Quantity over quality’.

Clubb- should have never been resigned. Makes me shudder to think could be one of our 4 props.
Burgess-needs to step up and return to former form. Been way from his best over the past few years.
Bullock-needs to drastically improve his D and fitness.
Clarke- looked bang average playing for Leigh in a lower league.
Partington- offers very little in attack. Average in D.
Naverette-so unpredictable. Can be solid or can be god awful.
Byrne-good prospect.
Havard-too young and untested to comment.
Flower-arguably past it. Suffered from injures last season. Don’t know if they effected his performances or if he’s just had his day. Looked bang average last season.

I think all of this is spot on. I think Burgess, Bullock and Clark are the three we have to pin our hopes on. If they can have good pre-seasons and hit their best form then we have something to work with. Maybe Flower has a chance of improvement next year if he can stay fit but as said in the other thread I think this will be his last year at Wigan.

The re-signing of Clubb was bizarre. I think the club value his off-field work as a leader and motivator but as a player he's way off. A really disappointing decision as it was an opportunity gone begging. He'll have some decent games during the year but ultimately in the bigger games he's found wanting.

Havard and Byrne are still developing - too early to assess. Navarette far too inconsistent - can't really be trusted in big games.

That leaves Partington who for me despite all of the hype is far too small. Non-existent as an attacking threat. He's aggressive and he hits above his weight but overall not a long-term prospect in a title seeking team.

Re: First choice props : Sat Dec 14, 2019 6:06 pm  

Starting
Flower and George Burgess

Bench
Bullock and Clark

If we play 5 then Partington

Re: First choice props : Sat Dec 14, 2019 7:59 pm  

FB 6 French
RW 2 Marshall
RC 1 Hardaker
LC 4 Gildart
LW 23 Bibby (ease Manfredi back in the reserves)
SO 31 Hastings
SH 7 Leuluai
P 19 Bullock
H 9 Powell
P 10 G.Burgess
SR 16 Smithies
SR 12 Farrell
LF 14 Flower

S 15 Greenwood
S 17 Partington
S 22 Clark
S 28 Smith

A season too far for Clubb and Lockers unfortunately

Re: First choice props : Sat Dec 14, 2019 8:49 pm  

Where would sammy kibula have figured in that list had you kept him?

Re: First choice props : Sat Dec 14, 2019 9:17 pm  

Superblue wrote:

Where would sammy kibula have figured in that list had you kept him?

Tough to say. I got the sense Lam wasn’t impressed with his commitment to pre season last year and he never got a look in. If he was still here and he threw himself in to pre season then he may have made a breakthrough but initially he probably would’ve been 8th or 9th choice.

Re: First choice props : Sat Dec 14, 2019 11:02 pm  

I may be in the minority but I’m really looking foyti seeing Clarke in a Wigan shirt.

I personally believe he will be a real asset IF he has his head screwed on the right way.

I remember watching him at Bradford and thinking this kid could be something a bit special.

He has undoubtedly lost his way a little but I think there is a very good player in there if he commits to it.

Re: First choice props : Sun Dec 15, 2019 2:23 am  

jonh wrote:

I may be in the minority but I’m really looking foyti seeing Clarke in a Wigan shirt.

I personally believe he will be a real asset IF he has his head screwed on the right way.

I remember watching him at Bradford and thinking this kid could be something a bit special.

He has undoubtedly lost his way a little but I think there is a very good player in there if he commits to it.

Minority you are.

From what I’ve seen he’s lazy and ineffective in the Championship. He needs to improve his game 100 fold, any less and he’s a failure