Well said.

As is Flannery.

I honestly don't think that Dixon or Ashurst are anything but average, especially if you compare them to the likes of Tomkins, Mossop and Farrell at Wigan.

Watch out for a kid by the name of Jack Hughes, he looks very useful.

Flannery was superb saturday. But for lee smith might've had a hat trick. Seemed a natural at centre.

Do you mean the one from Dock Green!!

Do you think they teach them to do ankle taps with the chin over at Headingley?

Tomkins is nearly 3 years older than Dixon and Ashurst, Mossop is nearly 12 months older than them. As you yourself often mention, that kind of age difference, especially three years, can make all the difference.

They are certainly doing more in our first team than Tomkins did in yours at the same age.

Accepted, but I'm also basing my judgement on what I have seen of all those players at junior (academy) levels.

Never seen the fuss about Joel Tomkins if im honest.

Mossop is a decent player though.

Ashurst and Dixon are good players, Dixon has impressed me in recent weeks.

I think he's one of the finest back rowers in SL, cracking player.

The lad played well but he has done nothing more than a steady job at the moment. Some people tend to get a little bit over-excited when a youngster comes into the team and this might be one of those cases. He has potential but for anyone to suggest he might be a better regular choice than Wilkin is ludicrous, at the moment at least.

If you were picking a man of the match from Saturday, there would have been seven or eight in front of him.

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.