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.

As I've said on a number of occasions - when Dixon & Ashurst fill out they'll be terrific players. Far better than Stankevitch & Jonkers ever were.

I hope you're right. However, around at the same time Stankevich & Jonkers came through, Gareth Price looked by far the better prospect in the reserves, but came to very little. As the song says - It goes to show you never can tell.

both look decent prospects, and hopefully they'll kick on.. you never can really judge youngsters for a year or two.. you can throw foster into that category too..

as for dixon keeping wilkin or flanno out.. i agree

Too true. Wasn't Bracek ahead of Graham at one stage, and Bannister in front of Clough?