I'd say out of the 3 lindop looks the best option, wrench has footwork and pace but gets injured a lot and can't seem to defend.

Roddy doesn't have a proper rl apprenticeship, he's got power, can defend,

Lindop looks like he's got the best collection of all attributes, wrench's window might have come and gone

Wrench hasn’t had much luck to be fair, but I agree, Lindop with a full pre season has a good chance.

My point was more that the weakness is so obvious it hardly counts as scapegoating to point it out.

No doubt that Lindop is the future, it's just a case of whether he replaces King on the left or Tai on the right.

Wrench has shown his attacking class both from a solo point of view, and also his ability to put his winger away. The only question for me with Wrench is defensive positioning and decision-making. And of course his unfortunate injury record.

Tai is great in defence though.

I seem to remember two gingers in that PNG squad for the World Cup. Maybe that was down to what I was drinking at the time.

Not forgetting Lesley Bruines I would say we seem to have too many centres atm. Wrench and Lindop need to play next year to 1) 2 gain the experience and 2) show that they can step up another level. it's no use picking Tai and King every week, we can already guess what is likely to happen in the first 5-6 games - the coach will stick with the same players. So barring injuries we are likely to have 3 centres kicking their heels.

So let's move on to Drinkwater. Who of course get's slated (by those who love to throw crap for some sad reason) for not being able to stop second rows five yards out. Well to be honest not many scrum halves can. Wigan have 3 backs who might be even weaker than him in the tackle. What a great surprise that our scrum half is pretty average at stopping big lads five yards out. Who else could have been picked?

Why should we move on to Drinkwater on the Recruitment and Rumours thread?

Good point. Perhaps I should have started it with "One year deal for much loved player".

I thought the player in question was leaving us at the end of this season (now) or has he signed a one year deal?

Sorry Rico ... I just made that up. But it would allow me to post on this thread.

You saved me the post. Wesley Bruines was Burgess first signing, with the ACL, so he obviously has plans for him.

Is that Wes's sister? Is she any good, and more importantly would she have got that pass away to Thewlis in the semi?

I think the X-Y chromosome Bruines version only had a one year contract (club option to extend a year?) so not sure if he is in Burgess' plans.

Burgess himself said the 2nd try was soft. Sam Tomkins called out the poor tackle technique of the first. I trust their opinion over yours.

Why are you unable to accept that some people have different views from your own? A good number of people think our scrum half is pretty average at a lot of areas. He couldnt keep Hayes out of the side ffs. But you keep on thinking they are all superstars and then suprised when we fail to win the prize again.

When you play or coach you tend not to criticise but encourage ... even the worst players. I would not appreciate some of your comments if I was currently playing.
I liked Hayes BTW.
I trust Burgess & Sam over my opinion too. Burgess would have stopped the try but Tomkins ...no chance. 90% of half backs would not stop the tries. You have never tried to stop a big forward five yards out. But why do you slate individuals???

It’s not Slating it’s an opinion which you clearly disagree with. Why are you always attacking people for their opinions.

Imagine your son played for Wire ... would you like him to read the forum?

That would be his choice to make. If things were going well he may like what he reads if it’s not then he may not like what he reads. The point is its choice. It’s not for you to decide what is written, I get you don’t like negative comments made about some players, just come up with a comment why you disagree with someone’s opinion instead of attacking them. To use your analogy do you think people like reading you attacking their comments.

Just to Clarify: So you are asking me to be more respectful to individuals who insult players (in case I upset 'em) who slate players for their efforts on the pitch. Some of who have never ever stood in front of a snorting prop forward who has just had his knackers tweaked.

So your saying your not allowed an opinion if you never played.

We've had this one before & those who never played get very uppity & it is not a popular view on this forum for obvious reasons. It does help your understanding of the game to have played. If you've dropped balls, missed tackles etc you tend not to be quite so critical of others.

Never driven an F1 car but I know Lance Stroll should not be near one. Anyways as you say we have been here before and yet you still criticise people having an opinion.

Opposition pick out smaller men for one on one’s within the 10 yard area.

They either run over him, or move the ball to pull to stretch a defensive zone to isolate the smaller guy to be hit with a short ball.

Hayes for sure always got targeted, as did Tai and Drinkwater.

It’s very difficult to stop a 17 stone forward hitting anyone at speed, never mind smaller guys.

I do have my doubts about next season. Losing Nicholson and Bateman makes us weaker. I’m not sure on Leyland, don’t know if he’s what we need or if he’s good enough to be honest. We’re quite light in the back row. I’d like a huge prop forward and the centres King and Tai just don’t do it for me.

Totally with you. If you could pin Wigan back to their own line French, Field & Smith would be walked over. I doubt it will happen. So when I see one of our half-backs picked out for missing a tackle it does make me think a bit.