Regardless of your misguided opinions on the above players, only George Carmont is in theory "keeping him out the team" as your posts suggests as the rest don't play in Thornley's position.

The lad is 18, signed from 16. He was in full-time education at St.John Rigby College doing Maths, Science and PE. Wigan offered him a full-time contract, but he turned it down to complete his studies. A wise move IMO. And I hope that answers your question as to why he hasn't made an appearance yet in the first team, and that is before we look at the players we have coming through the academy who have progressed and excelled at a far greater rate than Thornley. Hence Stefan Marsh was handed his debut this season against Huddersfield Giants at the Murrayfield Magic weekend.

This thread is outrageous!

Well, if you lot are happy with the situation then so be it. If my club was damaging the country and virtually destroying any chance we have of improving as a nation and raising the profile of the sport in this country I wouldn't be. The pursuit of such egocentric goals as those which Wigan pursue will only lead to a future of shame and pity.

Some fans are going OTT about Wigan and some Wigan fans need to learn to stop being so sensitive and learn to take constructive criticism once in a while.

Wigan have had the best Reserves side for the last two years. Every team in Super League (apart from Leeds) has at least one Wigan trained player in their side. Not to mention the vast amount littered around the Championship sides. Wigan have the most amount of players on dual-registration than any other side in Super League. Wigan last week had 11 out of 17 players Wigan born or Wigan trained in their side. Wigan have another ten players, born or trained in Wigan, playing in their side tonight. Mike MaGuire has given debuts to four Wigan trained players this season in Liam Farrell, Johnny Walker, Stefan Marsh and Ben Davies in this season alone. Do I seriously need to go on?

I have yet to see anything on this thread that is "constructive criticism". People are ignoring the facts completely.

That's a VERY easy question to answer. He hasn't played for the first team yet as he has been on a part time contract. He was offered a full time deal at 16 but chose not to accept it as he wanted to complete his A-Levels. The part time deal was done with the assumption he would sign a full time contract once his A-Levels were complete. He chose not to and sign for sale instead.

What do you suggest a club does. Offer all 'promising' kids 100k a year just in case the turn out to be good?

I really don't see the problem, Wigan are releasing as many (if not more) overseas players than they are bringing in. Hoffman, Finch and Lima are all world-class players. I'd be ecstatic if Cas signed players of this quality, would be ordering my season-ticket tomorrow!

There isn't a problem. It's just another excuse, however unjustified for people to have a pop at Wigan. It's just a hobby for some.

People are entitled to say that Wigan should be focusing on their youth. If it is "world-class", their entire squad should be from Wigan bar 1/2 overseas players.

Suppose it's a consequence of success (and cynically cheating your way out of relegation).

But we are focusing on youth. More than most clubs in Super League.

I think your comment about how our entire squad should be from Wigan is hilarious and you have come across just like the rest of them.

I don't think I'll post on the VT anymore.