I meant the combination of keeping up the dominance. McIlorum isn't a stats machine like him or Roby, the the tackles he does make hurt the opposition more. I meant that he does have a high workrate (not the highest), but that out of the players with the strong work ethic, he is by far and away the most dominant. Sorry for the ambiguity!

It's no good being Nathan Friend and making an absurd amount of tackles if the opposition can get on a roll by running at you all day, and at times the stats machines can start to become a liability because of this imo. McIlorum is not overused in defense for me and I'm thankful for that - he's less likely to be burnt out and can continue to be a threat in defence. I prefer it that way, but in terms of raw work rate he's bested by Roby, Houghton, Hodgson and probably some others.

Because your lot insist on telling us hes the best in the league

hmmm. I think you're missing the point that Roby is the benchmark for modern British hookers.

Imagine there was another world class British LF. The natural thing to do would be to compare him with Lockers, who has been the dominant player in this position in SL for some time.

I don't think any Wigan fan has an issue with enjoying MM in his own right. Performances like the one he put in against Leeds the other week will be talked about for years to come, like Lockers turning up on one leg at the last GF and still making a massive contribution or Farrell's performance against Leeds in the game where he broke his nose. MM's was the latest in a long line of leadership performances that make you proud to be a Wigan fan.

And anyway, how could anyone not enjoy watching a player who can bully the Leeds bully boys? Even Peacock looked rattled. It was fantastic!

When MM plays like that, it's more enjoyable than it was watching a Tomkins or Offiah score a sensational hatrick of tries.

Welcome back. Great to have you. I always enjoy your posts.

Tell me though, is MM not the kind of player you need? The performance against Hudds was a bit better but the problem is you don't have many leaders in the side or any players who can intimidate or unsettle the opposition. I suspect MM would be a great signing for you (not that that is going to happen!).

Your team really needs a player like him and I'm surprised you don't see this. MM's leadership, aggression and physicality are hugely important to us. He's now getting to the peak of his career and I think is becoming a genuinely world class player. He's far from being a limited player, in fact he has some very special qualities, as the Leeds pack found out again the other week.

Anyway, welcome back to the best board on the forum.

Good response.

Of course we would love a MM type player in our team. We certainly need it because we are just a group of nice fellas.

Although I'd play MM in his best position: loose forward.

On a side note. I keep hearing how Roby is 'shot' and he's a 'has been'. I'm not sure why really. Yes he's carried us since KC retired, but he showed his class in the position during the World Cup. He was outstanding.

Last year for us he was injured. This year he hasn't been at his best but he's still playing above the standard of any other hooker in the league. Our forwards are being pummelled so I don't know how you expect your hooker to perform.