I really wonder whether some people attend the games at times.
Wilkin offers a kicking game, pace - for a backrower, and versaitility.

Wilkin is very durable and more often than not puts in 80 mins and is up there stat wise with the best especially defensively were he is vital and badly missed when injured.

What does go unnoticed at times is his will and desire to support the play either as a dummy runner or second phase, some of which has been wasted this season and he hasnt had the supply he deserves.

His try at the quinns epitomised that last week. I agree Dixon looks slightly more advanced than Ashurst and physically bigger, but theres a long way to go for both players, and from reports the best backrower out the lot of them, McGenniss is yet to get his opportunity due to injury.

You have to remember Pete has a vendetta against Jonny Wilks.

As for the Ashurst vs Dixon debate.

Two highly different players. Dixon strikes me as a ball handling player, but with excellent physical attributes.

Ashurst will go very unnoticed in his career I feel. Not that we won't appreciate him, but he will not be a target man for the opposition. He will make good runs, good lines. He could do with upgrading the guns slightly to aid his game, but he has been superb for us this season.

I don't have a vendetta against wilkin. I just think he is most overated player in super league.

If leon, eastmond, longy or other players go missing people bag them on here but i've not seen wilkin since the Leeds cc game.

Before people start telling me how much work he does that goes unoticed, so does leon pryce but fair few slagging him off on here for going missing.

I'm suprised potter ain't sent search party out for wilkin or put missing person posters up round town.

I'd agree with you.

Dixon looks good and like he can do everything (defend, pass, support etc)

However i'm a big fan of Ashurst. I think he has been quietly going about his business and been one of our better young players this year.

I pretty much agree with you assesment though.

s try at the quinns epitomised that last week. I agree Dixon looks slightly more advanced than Ashurst and physically bigger, but theres a long way to go for both players, and from reports the best backrower out the lot of them, McGenniss is yet to get his opportunity due to injury.'"

The situation Zena has just descirbed is akin to tyrer 2005-6.

You're kind of all over the place there.

Why are we saying either or as this thread seems to suggest.

The two players have differing styles that complement the team.

Ashurst is the wide running type of backrow, whereas Dixon is more like Clough in that he can take the more direct/physical approach.

Both have done outstandingly well to be regularly playing 1st grade at 19 years of age.

Shaun is physically much bigger than first team players never mind u18's. He constantly ripped it up for the reserves. Will he be world class or a Saints firt team member ? The answer is we do not no! He might make it, he might not. But the fact is that he is a excellent prospect.

Stopped reading here!

Seriously, open your eyes when you're watching the game, fella.

Can't understand why people don't notice Ashurst. How many times has he made a break/half-break by hitting a short pass through a gap? Set up a corking try at Bradford and pole-axed one of their players doing it.

As for bashing Wilkin - seriously, some of you guys need to grow up.

A lot of Ashurt's work will go unnoticed because it is often donkey work. He does offer a superb extra option out wide, and as he grows, both in size and as a player, he will become a superb runner out there.

He has made a few breaks this season off the back of his short runs and good speed through the defensive line.

Ashurst took a pummelling on Friday. he was crunched a number of times, but was not guilty of making the errors that others made.

I think Dixon has more promise and the makings of a very good player, but Ashurst is a reliable memebr of the team on a steady path to progressing his career. I think he will be a good squad player for us.