Quote Last Son of Wigan="Last Son of Wigan"Please be careful with who you sign when over in Aus, the current batch aren't exactly when we're looking for.
We've got an out of shape out played hooker in Riddell who has 1 decent game since he arrived. He is also setting a bad example for the youngsters. This week we saw last seasons top tackler (Hansen) the most promising young talent (Tomkins) and the top try scorer (Ainscough) all miss on the 17 for an average Aus who so far is being far out played by a young lad Mike McClorum.
What most the likes of Hansen, Tomkins and Ainscough think when they see Riddell waddle back into the team after offering nothing so far this season. Has standards at Wigan dropped so much that we are actually convincing ourselves that he is a good or decent player? God I hope not.
Looking at his history with the Dragons and the Eels, the Dragons got rid cos they were sick of his ballooning weight and poor professional attitude to his fitness, not shining merits are they!
Then we have Roberts the 28yr old winger who we signed on a 4yr deal. If there is an impact player look furtherest away from him and you'll find Amos Roberts. Is he anything special, no. Would he be greatly missed if left out of the side? No. Does he do enough to keep out Ainscough, who was the top try scorer in the league only after playing 10 games? No.
All in all was he worth being from the otherside of the world? worth a quota spot? worth a chuck of the CAP? No
Did we need a winger? Did someone say Phelps, Ainscough, Pryce Richards?
Tiger Tim, what a player, yes he can pass the ball. But thats about it. Has off field issues, can't tackle, can't run, and I feel so sorry for the fans who watch him closely every week praising him for a good pass or sharp dummy when deep down, we all know he's not good enough. Last night he was totally out classed by Dobson.
I could go on, focusing on the average Phelps and Bailey, but I think my point has been made.
Sad thing is when I heard true Wigan fans us words like awesome and world class to describe certain players or things players did when deep down we know there aren't world class.
The Aussies at Wigan have it all, fans who love the game and just want to see a player give it 100% week in week out, they can escape from the 'fish bowl' media attention they get in Aus, and a good salary to play rugby in a rugby league town.
So Mr IL, before you board that plane to sunnier destinations take a trip out round the rugby fields over Wigan at the weekend, for some unknown reason this small north west town has given birth to some of the best players are sport has ever seen, lets look inward before we look elsewhere.
Be careful IL, lets recruit well...'"
I think the majority of what you say is correct. However i like most people on here were excited about riddell as higham was not good enough as a starting hooker.
He has been a massive disapointment in more than one area.
For me Amos Roberts is David Vialiki Mk II. The only thing he has is pace, which to be fair he has a lot of. Last night all he had to do was bend his back and he would have scored, but as with the saints game he just flapped! Not good enough, and under no circumstances should he be keeping Ainscough out. Its not like he superman in defence (not that thats what any winger is paid for), but i just dont see the point of signing him up for 4 years. We cant get rid of him so what is his motivation?
If your going for more players Mr Lenegan, please dont bring any back, as in doing so all we do is get players who seldom perform, in turn weakening our development systems, but conversly improving the australian national side as a young lad steps into the old mans spot, and batters us for years to come!
