Agree with all of that
ST particularly in 2012 was brilliant and his reading of the game was fantastic.
KR and also George Fairburn were great players but justed lacked that extra bit of pace to make them that little bit special

As a Leeds RL / Rhinos fan I have seen plenty of great Wigan players and sides since I first started watching the game in 1977 and despite having such a strong dislike of the Wigan club due to our strong club rivalries over the years but I also have a healthy respect for the Wigan club.
I have chosen a side that IMO is the best side that I have ever seen play live for Wigan

1- Sam Tomkins
2- Jason Robinson
3- Inga Tuigamala
4-Gary Connolly
5- Martin Offiah
6- Brett Kenny
7-Andy Gregory
8-Kelvin Skerrett
9-Terry Newton
10-Andy Platt
11-Andy Farrell
12-Dennis Betts
13-Ellery Hanley (Captain)

14-Shaun Edwards
15-Gene Miles
16-Terry O'Connor
17-Sean O'Loughlin

The games changed massively and as you know, I haven't

Thanks for your perspective

I do believe it's good sometimes to take other fans views on board (when not trolling obviously).
I know that when I watch other teams theres always players that I think "Frighten" you more than others. Players who always seem to pull something out the bag and players who if they're missing you breathe a sigh of relief.
Theres always the argument about players that may have been brilliant for 6 months (Kenny/Miles for example) compared to players who played significantly longer (Edwards/Bell).

I do think that's an honest appraisal from an opposing fan, and IMO it would difficult to criticise any selection.

The debate for me would be :-

Ferguson, butnto be fair Robinson was as good but was obviously here longer.
Bell/Miles for either of the 2 centres ???
Edward's at half back if you take his longevity and winners record into consideration
Craig Smith for skerret O'Connor
Dermott for Newton

I'm not saying any of them would replace the others definitely, just debate.

I've watched the game since just about the same time as yourself (I was 6 in 77)

My dad raved about Alan Davies, said he was good at Wigan, but even better at Oldham. Dosnt have the same profile at Wigan as say Ashton/Boston etc but by all.accounts he was some player.

My dad was also a massive Dave Bolton fan
After he died i took the family to Oz (not with anything he left me BTW ) and I got the chance to meet him.
That's was some Cruise around the Harbour!
Also had an hour discussion with Steve Roach, a pint with Laurie Daley and sang a karaoke with Benny Elias!!!

1. Tomkins
2. Robinson
3. Inga
4. Myles
5. Offiah
6. Barrett
7. Lam
8. Platt
9. Newton
10. Farrell
11. Furner
12. Hanley
13. Locky

Hi Jonh
What Year are you working from as your criteria? I.e. When did you start watching?
Obviously the thing that stands out there is Lam over Gregory or Edwards (Whilst I was a big fan of Lam I wouldn't have included him over either of those)

Barrett over Edwards or Kenny? - I can kind of see that although personally I wouldn't

Furner was a Very good player and does get overlooked from time to time in these discussions, but Betts from 89 to 95 was just awesome. Goodway as well often gets overlooked and he was Very good for us from 85/86 through to 90
Farrell to 10 I can see and is a good way of getting Lockers in there, but we all know he's a back rower however Hanley to 2nd row is a non starter

I think we just have to accept that picking players in their true positions means we leave International/World class players out
Big Rads fan - But he misses out to Sam
Big Ferguson fan - But he misses out to Robinson
Dean bell - Wow - What a competitor - But you can't have them all - Connolly/Miles/Inga/Renouf/Iro etc.
Picking 2 halves - You have to leave out 3 of Gregory/Edwards/Lam/Kenny/Barrett for example

I love Lockers - But Hanley plays 13
I Love Farrell - But Hanley Plays 13

Farrell you could shoehorn into 12 as he played a lot of rugby there, but half a dozen games at prop doesn't warrant consideration for me.

1/ Sam Tomkins
2/ Jason Robinson
3/ Dean bell
4/ Gene Miles
5/ Martin Offiah
6/ Kenny
7/ Gregory
8/ Craig Smith
9/ Newton
10/ Platt
11/ Betts
12/ Farrell
13/ Hanley

If were having subs then :-

Edwards
Skerrett
Lockers
Barrett

In my lifetime:-
1)-Joe Lydon
2)-John Ferguson
3)-Dean Bell
4)-Gene Miles
5)-Martin Offiah
6)-Brett Kenny
7)-Shaun Edwards
-Kelvin Skerrett
9)-Thomas Leuluai
10)-Andy Platt
11)-Denis Betts
12)-Andy Farrell
13)-Ellery Hanley

"That" Season (2004) Faz played 10 games at prop-He played 20 in the back row
That's why no matter which way I look at it, I have to leave Lockers out - Faz and Hanley are shoe ins for 2 of the back 3 spots
And as good as Lockers has been, those 2 would both get in at 13 before him - Faz played a lot of his career in 2nd row so ok to play him there.

Don't ask me why, but from someone like yourself I find it strange that you never warmed to Betts as you put it.
He was a Model professional, Played 80mins most weeks and played EVERY week (Didn't he play something like 80+ consecutive games around 90/91/92?). He played his best rugby in the Big games and was as tough as they come.
One of my best memories is the try he scored at Headingley in Mission impossible season, He barged over taking 3/4 men with him and when he stood up after scoring and raised his arms to the 3/4k Wigan fans it was just Spine tingling.
Hoffman/Furner in terms of class would push them, Goodway was close and Faz for sheer longevity and consistency of performance, But I just think Betts had the lot. (Let's not mention Haughton, I'll put that down to Lockdown Fever or someone has pinched your password! )

Edwards/Gregory argument is a difficult one
If I wanted someone to play for my life it would be Edwards - And I do think there is a place in any team for players with dedication/work ethic over ability
If I could watch one player again at his best one more time it would be Greg. Despite the obvious flaw of turning his back (Which I don't think ever got exposed) He was sublime at times.
Lam was very good, and defensively one of the best 7's I've seen. he was Very good in all areas of the game, but I just think he didn't get us over the line enough like the others did.

Barrett was fantastic season 1 - dipped a bit season 2
But Kenny was just awesome
The one that gets missed a lot is Ella - He was every bit as good as Kenny over the regular season, but was injured when we lost the CC QF to Cas at home so missed out on the exposure of the CC Final - I do think if he'd have made a CC final people would remember him more fondly.

Ella was good but not as good as Kenny, one of the best ever for me not just for Wigan

Betts was absolute quality in both spells he had here

Kenny's "Best" was better than Ella's and his big game record was second to none, but Ella was really good and his constency through run of the mill league games when he could have coasted made him a really good acquisition For us.