It wouldn't surprise me - I don't remember seeing him all game.

I have absolutely no idea whats happened to Fielden since his Bradford days. I don't buy this theory that one punch ruined his career.

Defensively in the main he is still very good. But his go forward is national league standard and this is a big problem within the team.

This is the same for most of our players which is why I have to question again certain aspects of the coaching.

60 mins a week since he was 18 had more to do with ruining his career.

And people complain about the kids not getting enough game time, he is the prime example of why they should be brought in slow and not thrown in especially in the front row! Look out for this happening with Burgess in the not to distant future!

Its not just RL where this problem exists, look at wendy ball and Owen. He only 28 (ish) and he constanly injured with what are basicly overuse injuries. Slow and steady wins the race.

However, if i had been a wigan prop, and had found out they were looking for a enforcer prop, i would have been mortified and made sure i doubled my efforts to ensure that i was that man! Being told your no use as enforcer as a prop must really hurt!

But it doesnt seem to have made a blind bit of difference!

Just watched it again and these are the true statistics:

Fielden

Tackles 31
Carries 5
Metres 21
Missed Tackles 3
Minutes 46
Mistakes 1

He made 11 metres in 4 carries until the 74th minute where he made a 10 metre run.

If you look at Fielden when he was at Bradford, he looked massive, particularly around his shoulders. He seems to have lost a lot of 'muscle' - I would certainly put him at two stone lighter than when he joined.

He looks more like a second rower than a prop, but he's too slow to play second row.

Basically, he needs to regain that weight (and presumably power) that he's lost.

I said this a good 12 months ago he's still a big guy but imo he's not as big as what he used to be?

Such a fall from grace from the guy who was heads and shoulders above Peacock when they played together!

Honestly maybe a change of clubs or coaches will do him a world of good. Time for Fielden to experience life outside of Nobles coaching?

It wont be, that means he took 4 balls up all game.

]

and i think that is the problem. He must be earning the most money at the club yet his contribution to the team just doesn't seem to justify it... I'm sick of seeing home just waltz into a tackle - whatever happened to running onto the ball at pace (something Feka does all the time)

Do not want to get accused of a anti Noble post but it is very very rare 2 people with a coach athlete relationship stay together for so long and have success.

The situation can result in stagnation and i think that is one of the issue with Fielden.

I certainly agree with this.

which was exactly my point he isnt worth the money we pay him

All in all, i dont think Wigan wil renew his contract, im sure we have him until the end of 2010 though. Signed a 4 year deal IIRC.

I don't think that Fielden's heart has ever been at Wigan. When his contract ends, he will return to Bradford, or possibly Leeds, and look to regain his form and passion.

not wigan quality

My physio is his physio too, Fielden is pure muscle according to him.