Quote: easyWire "He was out of form in 2022 and threw a hissy fit after an honest appraisal from the coach (allegedly). Was never the same after signing a big money contract. I'm sure there's truth in the Fitzpatrick murmurings, but at the time Fitzpatrick was tasked with getting a coach who would eradicate the comfort culture. Maybe he had to trust Powell's judgement as the old way hadn't worked under Price.
In hindsight, the best thing (for the club anyway) would have been to drop him and explain why (handled by the player welfare manager). However, this is a clean slate and hopefully the Wigan environment has forced him to grow up a bit and readied him for the wrath of Burgess (who I'm certain will be happy to drop any player not giving 100% every week).
Time will tell.'"
hmm I think that it ill have opened his eyes to how a professional sucessful club is ran. his form automatically changed as soon as he turned to for wigan.
I think most fans will be sceptical about his return and he will be asked to "prove" himself which I dont think he has to do, he is a grand final winner and was instrumental in their succesfull season which is ironic given most people on here were talking about him being average and a mid table centre ?
I have maintained for a long time we are toothless in the centre and I do think its a very important position, the best centres in the league throughout super league history have all ended up as grand final winners we have been lacking in this for an awful ling time king and tai look to be a more strike orientated pair with wrench to cover for them .
ratchford is a hard player to asses as he is competent in many positions but excels in none he has probably been a victim of his own versatility and caused many coaches headaches of where to fit him in. theoretically if we did not have ratchford we could have signed an alternative that the coach wanted and fitted into his plans.