Hi

I know many people now think Pat is good, in the first season I think I was the only one who rated him only from watching him in the NRL. The people around me in the East Stand including my wife didn't rate him

I must admit I am totally biased and think he is our best and most consistent player by a long way. Obviously not what everybody else feels as he is way down on the points marking. He is the leading try scorer, leading goals scorer, leading metre maker (I think) rarely makes a mistake, so what does he need to do to be top of our points list.

In my opinion as of now Pat Richards is way out in front of everyone (including Wigan fans views) to be Man of Steel.

I will probably be shot down by others who I must respect their views but I will argue that every fan would want him in their team and is this the case with any other player. There will obviously be some person who will bring into the topic some weird view but they are entitled to this even if I still think Pat is way out in front of any other player as MoS.

I think Pat is the best winger in the league definately, and i also think he's our most consistent player.

He was a slow starter this season compared to a few other players but right now he is a form player in the league.

Other contenders for MOS will establish themselves in the remaining games, Pat could be one of them.

the guy is a points machine, the sooner he's back on the wing the better for me

That is not a bad call. He is a player who slips under the radar for MoS IMO and perhaps this is because he is considered "only" a goal kicker? Is it possible hitting headlines as a goal kicker masks a players other efforts?

He is certainly one of a few select players who rarely have a bad game for Wigan.

Having just written the above, what I should have said is "He is always an excellent player for Wigan who rarely has an off game" so I am as bad as anyone at damning him with faint praise.

Hopefully the players who vote for MoS now are not as daft because if he carries on as he has started the season he would be a deserving winner.

Dave

The problem Pat has is that a brilliant game is a normal game for him. He plays superb nearly every game but because people have come to expect great things from him every game it slips under the radar a bit. He is easily in the top 5 players in super league as a whole and should be in the running MOS but playing for us may stop that because nobody likes Wigan for some reason

Couldn't agree more, he has been our most consistent and often best player since his second season, regularly outshining Trent and Sam. But as DaveO says he doesn't get the plaudits he deserves. I think it's because he is on the wing. If you look at Sinfield and Eastmond, both kickers who play a more integral role in the creation of tries as opposed to Pat who finishes them off, both are considered their teams most important player.

I would give Pat MOS without a second thought already this season but ultimately he ain't flash enough, you can see that it'll be between the likes of Morely, Graham and Sinfield even though none of them may have had a particularly good year.

IMO if they were to choose a shortlist of 3 now you'd have to consider Pat, Monoghan and Orford, all Aussies I know but all important in their sides successes this season.

O/Tish Joel has to be a shoe in for Young player!

Good shout.

Joel's too old for young player, they have to be under 21 at the start of 2010. I reckon (winners name first):

Man of steel: Richards/Roberts/Orford
Young player: Eastmond/Lomax/T.Briscoe
Rookie: Lomax/Whitehead/Foster
Coach: Maguire/Agar/McManara

I think it's U23 at the start of the season, in which case Joel qualifies.

I can't think of another player who has been as consistent as Richards this year, still a long way to go mind.

I'm only going off Sam Tomkins' rlwikirl to be fair, hardly the most reliable source.

I can't believe Pat has never managed to get into the Super League Dream Team yet. Shocking oversight

And that is why it is worth verry little in my opinion. Year on year there are some shocking selections in it.

I've said that year on year since his first iffy season. He's been a fantastic player for us and he's without question the best wingman in this league and also one of the best fullbacks.

A super player.