True it perhaps a little unfair to compare Dixon and Ashurst with Tomkins and Mossop, due there age and relative experience. Someone who is very comparable with Dixon and Ashurst is Liam Farrel.

Not only is Farrel younger than both Ashurst and Dixon but he's also made far less first team appearances for Wigan than those two have made for Saints. Granted not many fans other than Wigan one's will have seen him play, but he is already looking a very accomplished backrower both in defense and attack. Dixon and Ashurst on the other hand are both very workman like offering a reasonable amount in defense but not so much in attack.

Let's all sing together:

Wigan's young players are better than Saints young players,
Wigan's young players are better than Saints young players,
Ohhhhh ....
Wigan's young players are better than Saints young players
And anyone who says differently should shut their gobs.

I thank you.

I've not seen Farrell so cannot comment on him as yet, however Dixon is currently at 1 try every two games, so isn't that bad going forward.

However, a lot of this discussion is supposition, we are talking potential in all players. Some don't achieve what people expect them too, others apparently over achieve. I just don't see the point of writing off players who are 20/21 and holding their own in the first team as these two are.

I've seen some really good stuff from him, but the wigan fans opinions of him has gone up and down since he broke through. I don't know whether his performances at the mo are because of good form, or his class developing, but he certainly hasn't pulled up trees from the day he broke through.

What I will say is that neither dixon or ashurst are exactly sizable, which is something we miss in our back row. Clough's a decent if irregular build, but I do expect him to move towards the front row.

I couldn't agree more, Wigans own Joel Tomkins suffered heavily from inconsistency at a young age, but as times passed and he's developed both mentally and physical and he's grown into the player he showed glimpses of becoming at a young age. All players as they mature become better, however it's glaringly obvious when watching them play at a younger age which one's are going to go onto great things are which aren't.





Joel's been sensational for us so far this year, you only have to look back at his game against you guy's to see how good he is. What's the deal with Clough, granted I don't see him play as often as you lot, but he does seem to be in a little bit of a form slump. From a player who was breaking tackles at will, he just doesn't seem to be kicking on from early last season.

I don't think Clough has ever been that sort of player TBH.

Alright maybe not, but having seen him play quite a few times this year, he doesn't seem to be playing as well for you as he was previously.

When he first started appearing, he managed to get over the whitewash quite a lot, but as he became more involved last year (combined with us having front row injuries) he got pushed more into a workhorse role, assisting (or being in) the front row. He made a very impressive amount of yards over the year, and his tackling is a major strength for the team. He's still young so I expect him to start re-developing his attacking game as he goes along, but I do think by the time he's 27 he'll be playing more as a prop.

Me too. However he's one of those niggly git type players that always have to have a cheap shot or a sly dig in the tackle which really winds me up and gives me reason to smile when osmeone knocks him on his .

That was supposed to say "someone" by the way, Osmeone isn't a new Samoan prop.

It's too early to compare these players. As well as Tomkins and Mossop being older they are also far more physically developed. I have always preferred Joel over his brother (nothing against Sam). Joel is just such a great runner of the ball and a really physical defender. I would have him in a Saints shirt in a drop of a hat.

I was just thinking about how a young (U23) Wigan/Saints/Wire team would paste a similar Yorkshire side. All the good young kids seem to produced on the right side of the Pennines at the moment. This is reflected in the current Super League table.

The Yorkshire clubs day (ok decade) in the sun could be coming to an end. Lets all unite and be happy about that.

True it perhaps a little unfair to compare Dixon and Ashurst with Tomkins and Mossop, due there age and relative experience. Someone who is very comparable with Dixon and Ashurst is Liam Farrel.

Not only is Farrel younger than both Ashurst and Dixon but he's also made far less first team appearances for Wigan than those two have made for Saints. Granted not many fans other than Wigan one's will have seen him play, but he is already looking a very accomplished backrower both in defense and attack. Dixon and Ashurst on the other hand are both very workman like offering a reasonable amount in defense but not so much in attack.'"

It's starting to pee me off, frankly. It's not like their kids are world beaters. Honestly. Wigan win some matches and the fans all think they can come on here behaving like they've won silverware. Meanwhile, they have a few injuries and they are beaten by the club at the bottom of the table! We have a few injuries and we beat ... cue Eddie Hemmings ... The Champions.

I think we are underating Dixon, he's got the potential to be a very good player. He does a lot of work puts in a solid performance and is excellent at reading the game. I reckon he will make it and move up another level to surpass Clough.