I have and did. He's far too slow to get into position, he bends down like an old man, he offers no threat as a runner, he does not draw defenders before passing to runners. He passes the ball better than Higham but who does not? He is only playing half the game at best so he should be putting everything into that 40 minutes.

Brad Drew gave Riddel a lesson in how to play hooker in the first game, Shaun Berrigan and Ryan Hudson both outplayed him. Chad Randall dished out another beating. This is a player supposed to be at the peak of his career and yet what has he done for Wigan thus far? The longer he stayed at Parramatta the worse Parramatta became.

People talk about time. Even now Roberts is showing hints of class. Smith even had some great touches at Hull. Sadly his defence negates any good he can do. Riddel at the moment is down with Mark Reber.

It is worth repeating that only number 4 should be taken into account.

It is quite simple, injury is the only excuse Riddell should be permitted for his poor start.

We have brought over in Riddell as an experienced NRL player so given his experience and position at hooker then if he is fit he should be right up to speed by now and be part of the solution to a team struggling for confidence, not part of the problem.

All this he is in a new country stuff is not good enough. People travel to work all the time and no one forced him to come here. He isn't some wet behind the ears kid but someone in his late twenties.

The way some people go on you would think leaving the boundaries of Wigan borough was a traumatic experience!

Dave

Its not. But entering them is

It is if you get stuck in the one way system

Didn't Ridell also have an op at the end of the NRL season and so miss a lot of pre-season work? I am sure that will have some impact as well.