Quote: cadoo "Fans are all for playing the youngsters. Supporters get very enthusiastic when they see a player come through our own systems and make it to first grade Super League. And certainly for this game against Widnes supporters were all for playing one or two untried youngsters all for the reasons you mentioned to see how they cope, to see where we are for the future etc. I'm sure practically every supporter on this board would be in agreement with that, in fact, I think on the '19 man squad thread' supporters were advocating doing just that. The consensus being to play Joe Mellor and Anthony Gelling with Hughes keeping his spot in the back row.
However what supporters have a problem with (and I completely agree) is playing too many young lads at the same time against Super League opposition. Logan Tomkins, Joe Mellor, Anthony Gelling and Matty Russell are complete rookies with Tom Spencer also in there and Jack Hughes covering for George Carmont in an unfamiliar position too - you're just compounding the pressure on the side. Resting key players - Pat Richards, Sam Tomkins, Thomas Leuluai and Sean O'loughlin is too much. That's your best player, your main goal kicker, your halfback and your captain - your most influential player - all rested for one match with no less than SIX complete rookies in the side. It's not the way to bring through these undeniably talented lads in a professional environment.
I can't comprehend why Shaun Wane did what he did. His methods so far of drip feeding some youngsters into the side was working perfectly. Jack Hughes coming in for George Carmont with Pat Richards outside him and Tom Spencer getting some game time off the bench in short spells. Magnificent. Perfect. Exactly the way to bring the young lads in, maintain results and build up their confidence, allowing them time to settle to the pace of Super League. Throwing six young lads in one match, dropping four of your best and more importantly most experienced players is suicide - as we found out.
So fans have every right to be annoyed. That was embarrassing. Last year only a point separated the top two teams - we just blew a chance to go top and for Wire to have to chase us early on in the season. That was a historic win for Widnes and one we wont be able to live down anytime soon. Celtic Crusaders was one of the most embarrassing defeats I've had to endure as a Wigan fan. Losing to a side with a 100% loss record, rookie halfbacks, two imports rushed in, quickly put together squad, low on confidence Widnes team is something else.
Shaun Wane needs to lose the ego and stop trying to make a point about Madge's tenure at the club. He got it wrong this week - big time. Continue to drip feed the young lads like he has been doing around our experienced players and we'll see these lads develop like we've seen with Charnley, Mossop, Farrell, Tuson etc develop. Continue to let his ego rule his head will see him lose his job.'"
As some have said best post in the subject by a long way.
but I'd prefer 1st .
