The teams current predicament has actually forced me to join the forum to vent my frustrations after many years of just reading other forum members views. My first year of watching the Wire was 1978 at the Wilderspool Zoo where the atmosphere was always electric and I couldn't wait to get to the game on a Sunday afternoon...I was less enthusiastic about visiting the toilets behind the Fletcher St end! I've watched some fantastic players in my time there (Jonathan Davies, Les Boyd, Alan Langer, Des Drummon, John Woods etc). My question is where have all the players gone that had the x-factor and would make you excited every time they had the ball? I was really excited by the signing of George Williams this season but he's not had the impact that I would have expected. Is it just because he's playing behind a poor pack? It's just that whenever I saw him play in a Wigan or Canberra shirt he always seemed to break through the line to either score or make a try. Thanks for reading my first post and I'd appreciate any thoughts on the subject.

Jeez…..saw the thread title and thought it was Kiss Kam Karl’s next pre-match “entertainment” idea!

Welcome clem.

I don't think it's just us in terms of x factor players. There are maybe a few in superleague but not many, the last one at Warrington was sandow. If only things turned out differently with Chris Sandow.

Matty Ashton

Does anyone remember the big inflatable Sumo wresters we had pre match in the 1980's some time? Think it was against Wigan. Or did I dream it.

Think we’ve had that a few times through the late 80s/early 90s yeh.

Stop it now, you don’t want to be giving Fitzpatrick idea’s

These would be better than our current props

I think we've had plenty of them in recent times, just not for long enough.

The likes of Akauola, BMM, Sandow, Mamo, Austin, and Clark all had plenty of X-Factor spells but far too briefly. Even Widdop was exciting to watch last season.

When it clicks with Daryl Powell we'll get the inner X-factor of players coming out. Williams will be back to his best, Charnley will score tries for fun, hopefully Clark gets back on track, Ashton will make plenty of breaks, etc.

I think the lack of entertainment issues are part players getting used to Powell and partly a poor pack. It'll get a lot better, hopefully.

I think it is also partly a confidence thing. If your losing or winning unconvincingly you do want to try anything in case it goes wrong. When your winning regularly you feel far more able to try something a little different. I agree though if you are monstering a team with your pack it is easier to recover from those errors.

“Clem Fandango…. The works experience guy?”

Great username

BTW when Austin arrived he had the X Factor, and was for a time unplayable. Sadly for us and him, as he seems like a decent sort, once you've been rumbled you need another string to your bow, a bit like the Stavros Flatley dancing troupe, decent watch first time out.....

Thanks for the replies guys....hopefully the team can have an upturn in form soon because at the moment their form is as depressing as watching somebody trying to reverse their car into a space between 2 other cars on Sainsbury's and then struggle to open their door to get out! (with rows of empty car parking spaces around them!). And thanks for the compliment Shropshire Wire...yes I just had to use 'Clem Fandango ' as my username....if anyone hasn't watched 'Toast of London ' yet ,I suggest they do because it sure is a lot better than watching Wire at the moment!...and even funnier!

Yes, I can hear you Clem Fandango. You and I must be of a very similar vintage and I started going to Wilderspool about a year after you. I also rarely post. Over the years I have witnessed so many highs and lows and that's a big part of being a fan. I love watching those players with the X-Factor, I also love watching players who put 100% in every time they play - for me that seems to be sadly lacking at the moment. I look forward to it returning - hopefully very soon.

I know its all the same once you get past Knutsford but have you switched counties