A concious decision based on mounting losses and huge debts to directors. If the board weren't fed up pumping money in we'd never see half the kids Saints are touting now.

You have been around here long enough to know my views on overseas players in general and how many there are at Wigan in particular.

I have to say though the article is typical newsprint when it says:

"How much more exciting must it be for a Saints fan to look forward to watching the development of these young players, whereas across at the JJB Stadium they can only wonder about the years of neglect of the development of local talent that has forced the current coach Brian Noble to build a team around the likes of Phil Bailey, Mark Riddell, Tim Smith and Cameron Phelps.

He hasn't been forced into it at all. [iIt's his choice.[/i

It also conveniently ignores that last season J Tomkins came of age for example and the presence of any other Wigan produced player in the current side. Likewise it ignores the fact that it is unlikely all the younger players at Saints will make the grade.

We all know the frustration of seeing Noble leave young players out and many of us believe J Tomkins came through despite Noble not because of him but I think it's clear enough where the problem lies and it is not as you or the article suggest in the production line of talent. It is IMO the coach where the problem lies.

Dave

Gardner is not home frown for Saints either. He was signed from Barrow wasn't he?

Dave

Also wasn't Wilkin signed from Hull KR?

I dont know the answer to this, so just throwing it out there, but of the Wigan team that won the WCC against Brisbane in 1994(?), what was the ratio of local players, British brought in and overseas brought in?

OK its getts better - saints 2008 grand final 13

Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Meli, Pryce, Long, Graham, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Gilmour, Wilkin, Flannery.

3 Home grown
3 Wigan
1 Bradford
1 Hullkr
1 Barrow
4 Overseas

I think if you look at most clubs in the past they haven't done enough to train and keep young players, but what is important now is that a lot of clubs are making an effort to change that which has to be the best for the game on all levels in the long run.

That is because they know that a good load of youth players coming through gets you an extra franchise point, so the system is starting to work, although still not so keen on the points and stuff, I think more needs to be take into consideration. But it is an easy point bringing young fellas through really isnt it.

Embarassing article that for Wigan - despite any queries regarding the statistics.

When the structures are in place at Academy level (and earlier) then yes it probably is, but first they need to get the structures in place to do bring the players through and to identify the players with potential.

one major reason wigan are not up to the level of leeds and saints on a consistent basis is the amount of overseas players and lack of chance for younger players who play in our team.
Ok, fair enough if you've got an aussie up to the standard of barret; who regardless of his nationality you would want in your team. However, i team is dominated by forreign players who for me arent at the level our team requires, bailey, riddel, phelps, smith just examples of players who i personally would rather have young british talent playing in that position.
Take leeds for example. Young Kallum watkins thrown into the deepend, but it paid off. Why dont wigan give the lines of young ainscough a chance and young talent like tomkins more a first team chance. starting over-rated, over-payed aussies week in week out we are never going to develop as a team. Signing a handful of players every new season isnt going to get us anywhere, it may work in football, but not in this sport. we need to build a homegrown squad and let them develop.