Spot on.

Fortunately, Madge and Waney agree.

We have different perceptions of a perfect hooker that is all I can say. A perfect hooker sets up positions for plays and guides the team round the field.

I genuinely do not think it is any coincidence 90% of the time he comes on the field we seem to lose all momentum. I don't have the stats to back it up, but I would bet we score considerably less and concede more when he is on the field.

I think it is vital to look at the bigger picture not just him in isolation. Watch the team when he comes on rather than him.

I 100% appreciate his endeavour and application but I think he is very limited in relation to game/ruck skills and smarts.

MM is just going to be one of those players that will be under-rated when compared to someone like Tommy, but would be seen to do a decent job if he was at another club.
Very similar to Jon Clarke who never really matched the expectation levels of the club he grew up in, but has had a decent career since leaving [and was a GB international!].

In the age of SC, its players like these who are the difference when you have the inevitable injury crisis. Until someone better comes along, lets leave him alone and see how he develops. After all, hes still learning.
When hes been overtaken by one of the juniors, thats the time to talk about repacing him. At the moment hes an integral part of the reigning Champions, so why should we replace him/doubt him when there are other positions which are far more pressing.

It's only a few that under-rate him, to be fair. He's handily placed at 9th in our MoM voting, ahead of quite a few players that seem immune from criticism.

I'm going to watch MM more closely over the next few weeks. I think you're probably being a bit harsh on him, and that there is probably something in what others are saying about the other players that tend to be substituted when he is and sliding defence issues, but I have to confess I don't think I have enough info to come up with a definite view, there are a lot of factors that might be at work here.

I think the fact that he is the only player to have played in all Wigans games this season shows that Maguire and Wane think he's doing o.k. for the team.

I have seen the team improve in a few games with MM on the pitch. Also has international cap...

Is he scapegoat of the month or something? He's a cracking player who makes solid performances week in week out.

Out of interest, in your opinion, what are the duties of the modern day hooker exactly?

There isn't an ounce of creativity in him - that's my problem with him in a nutshell.

Many people in here don't seem to be able to see that.

Just another example of how many people on here view things as either black or white and don't see the grey.

Just because he has no creativity in his game doesn't mean he doesn't have many other strengths.

I guess it just boils down to what people believe to be most important in a hooker. Some will accept average attack as a result of rugged defence. I just happen to think creativity is the main thing you need from your hooker.

Hooker has become the new traditional 7 they have to guide us round the field and provide field position for plays. MM does not do this. For me it is that simple.

I agree. He doesn't have a 'rugby brain'. He doesn't see opportunities as they arise the same way Piggy did.

A great athlete, tough as nails but not smart enough and I don't think he even has the technical quality to make the most of opportunities even if we were smart enough to see them.

Totally agree With the pair of you.

Furthermore the game has changed and is adapting, positions are now played differently to what they were 15/20 years ago.

For me key positions such as a 6,9,1,13 have all adapted due to the structures of the team in attack.
The FB in attack now is very much like an old school 6 for example as a second receiver, the 6 is the same as a 7 just on the opposite side of the pitch.

Sometimes I don't even know if people are picking up on this.

They aren't picking up on it. People are saying that Sam should be at stand off and what they are missing is, he actually is but unlike a traditional stand off he's hiding at the back in defence so he doesn't get targeted. 13 is another position that seems to be changing, over in Aus at least, and they're almost becoming the tackling machine prop forward like they used to be pre Hanley. Ian Potter anyone??