Do we feel our lack of performance from our scrum half is down to coaching.

2013-2016 Matty Smith

2017 - Tommy L

2018 - Powell

Can’t remember a time in all them years where’ve they’ve thrown a really money pass for a try. So little try assists come from our number 7. Just seems to be a bit of a passenger role, just pass it to lockers or stand off if we’re going left. Or pass it to the Full back if we’re going right.

Interesting to see if it changes with a new coach.

Yes I am sorry. I wrote that when I looked him up on the internet and thought I saw that he was born in May 1997. Turns out it was 1992. Must go to Specsavers. Oh wait a minute I do go to Specsavers. Must change my opticians.

I think I’m in the minority that actually didn’t mind Matty Smith at #7. He certainly wasn’t special but he was a solid kicker and organiser and him and GW complimented each other well IMO

to some around here that is akin to blasphemy you might like to put on a tin hat and hide in a trench somewhere (ps I don't totally disagree)

It’s all about opinions and I’m firmly in the opposite camp! Apart from his effort, Smith was truly awful but this debate has been done to death!

Smith did a job, and was excellent with Blake by his side in his earlier years with us.

Drinkwater is lighting it up at Catalans, how anyone can suggest he isn't the calibre of player wigan should go for is beyond me. it just shows you up as arrogant and proves the stereotype that many wiganers always expect the best. I think he would be a decent signing and wouldn't break the bank. he ticks all the boxes we need too.

is he is available for 2019 he should be on our list at the very least.

In a salary capped sport, I don't see how a club screaming out for a 7 can ignore someone who has dragged an underperforming side out of the mire. Proven in SL already I really think he would kick on with a move to a bigger club

Exactly my thinking. I think coached 8n the right was could become a top class player

Isn't it a bit of a myth to suggest that SL clubs signed the very best from the NRL? The difference now is that previously SL clubs could compete for players who could no longer earn top dollars, or were just below the best in the NRL. Now we're basically down to players who can't even get a game in the NRL.

I can't see anyone suggest SL clubs signed the best NRL talent. However we used to be able to attract the above average. Now we can't, not unless they've got baggage and need a change of scenery. Every team had 4 or 5 decent NRL players going back 10. Now they can't be brought over, the actual talent coming through isn't as good as the player NRL players we can no longer sign. End result is yes, we've got more home grown players, but the overall quality has dropped.

I'm sure Leeds fans would love to see Brent Webb, Lauatiti, Toni Carroll running around, Wigan fans seeing Adrian Lam, Brett Dallas and Trent Barrett running around, we could go through each team and highlight overseas players with quality that had loads to give and brought entertainment, we can't attract thay class of player anymore. And you know that if any home grown player with that level of talent that comes through, will surely be off to the NRL at some point as we just can't pay them enough.

yet many fans who truly believe this will no doubt be the same ones bemoaning our England international team saying we have a lack of homegrown talent.

the day will come when the Aussies don't have the upper hand. why do you think they always refuse to play up to SL demands / requests. they are constantly trying to belittle us and any new ideas we have to bring the game to a wider audience and that is simply down to the fact that they want to retain the talent. if and when the game does grow, that talent pool will dilute naturally which is what they hope to prevent. its arrogant and won't last forever. they'll soon have it rubbed in their noses. personally I think the English game is on the rise at least at SL level and with the many ventures the club and national sides are going on it won't be too long before that pool of talent that sits nicely in Oz will soon want away and when that comes, RL in general will be better off.

back to drinkwater, so what if his form attracts Australian / NZ team attention. our England side has flourished with the likes of graham and the burgess bros over there. we can't keep everyone and neither will everyone continue to want away from the UK.

Quite right. Unfortunately the strength of the pound not being as good as well as the famous tax loophole closing will no help either. people were crying out for less Aussies in our game, we are currently getting less aussies and the overall quality of the competition has dropped. The only reason we are standing toe to toe with them on the international stage is because more of our players are playing there

Just been reported that Drinkwater is wanted by Wakefield in place of Finn, but Catalans want to keep him.

I thought Finn wanted to stay at Wakey?

He does but they might think they need to refresh a bit.