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??

That's a real shame to see IMO. There's a big enough lack of ball playing backrowers as it is. I know Paul Gallen's the current poster child for this "new breed" of 13, but I'm not a fan of it. Give me a ball playing quick footed loose forward over a battering ram any day. The games to one dimensional for some as it is.

It's not just over there though. look at Harrison at Wire & Langley at Bradford.

thats what Tommy does....leads the team roung the field, but MM brings something different, (not better....diferent).
its not like we dont have any other leaders?
too many chiefs????

as long as he gives good service to the first reciever, albeit Deacs, or Brett, we are fine.......and dont forget we have Sam popping up at dummy half when he spots something on.

anyone else notice Sam shoving 2 would be dummy halves out of the way when he ran up to take the ball and scoot over from 70 yds??

another question........"would Sam be good at switching to 9 for short spells?"

I think it's due to the game not producing the likes of Farrel, Sculthorpe and Lockers anymore. It's far more beneficial to have someone with those range of skills playing 13 than it is to have the likes of Harrison or Langley. What's puzzling is that even in Australia with their huge pool of talent, they to don't produce the quality 13's that they used to.

The days of quality players possessing the ability to switch between 6 and 13 look to be over. Even though many on here hate to see Lockers play 6, every time he has done under Madge he's been superb. It was when playing stand off in Noble's Wigan that Lockers struggled.

Why have Sam do it when Logan could?