Correct
Joel done pretty well for me (i accept hes given a couple of niggly penalties away as usual) but hes made decent yards, added size and some good defense with 25 plus tackles per game.

Gelling/fpn/sarge and now Joel.
Like groundhog day with some

Are you saying he didn't miss them, or he wasn't injured? He definitely missed them, and the reason given for the Salford one at least was a thigh injury?

I'm saying he didn't miss both games due to injury.

He missed Salford as a precaution and wasn’t selected for Hull.

He’s a top player, our best winger by a street but he needs to get back to his best. As it should be, if he isn’t playing well then he shouldn’t be in the team. We’ve had little viewing time to go off this year but he’s been quiet in the bits he’s played and he didn’t have much money in the bank from last year, as he had a pretty ordinary year.

One thing I do know is that if we get him back to his best then we have a fantastic player on our hands.

I’ve genuinely never seen Burgess reach the standard of performance Manfeddi was putting in week in week out prior to his injury.

And how many other wingers in the league Have?

My only criticism of budgie previously has been his workrate. But he could do things Manfred couldn't.
Its a refreshing place to be in to have multiple options in most positions.
Let's not write players off just yet

I think I’ve mentally just put Manfredi to one side in the hope that we get some good news at some point. He was unbelievable prior to his injury.

In regards to Burgess what I always felt set him apart from many superleague wingers was his ability in space to link up with other players. He was brilliant in 2014 and 2015 and I actually felt he had a lot of room to improve as well. It’s my high opinion of his ability which makes me so frustrated when I see him not living up to that talent.

It’s all down to application for me but you can’t coach attitude and desire.

I don't get this bit.
Where does this bit about attitude and desire come from?
Like you say he was very good 2014/15
He started season very well 2017 up until his injury.
He played out of position occasionally and didn't sulk?

Back end of the year he had a few good games and showed glimpses of his early season form but suffered like everyone else did.

He needs a run of games, I remember offiah struggling 93 ish and just couldn't get going, and whilst I'm obviously not comparing him ability wise he's a similar style of winger where his pace etc. Give him the confidence.

He'll get his chances and in the mean time I hope he works hard, I just haven't seen any other evidence of where his application or desire should be questioned other than people having an issue with his comment that he's like to go back to the NRL one day and people taking offence to it.
His best chance of that is to perform for Wigan and that would be best for both parties in he long run.

Like yourself I'm fine with JT this season apart from the odd daft penalty. I was critical last season of him but so far a reasonable solid start to the season.
I take it that you would preferred that we had retained FPN Jukesie?

His work rate is poor, he doesn’t look like he fancies the tough carries out of his own end, he looked like he didn’t want to be there at points when playing at centre last year when opposition second rowers/centres would run at him, he looks too heavy and his comments and general demeanour smack of a lad that sees his Wigan career as a fallback option and very much second best. Is it desire, application, attitude? I’m not sure but he wasn’t on his own as you point out.

That’s honestly how I’ve seen him since he’s come back. I believe he’s massively talented but I also don’t think he applies himself as he could. He certainly doesn’t play at full throttle like you always see guys like Davies, Marshall and Manfredi do. There’s time for him to change that and that’s why I’m happy to see him being left out currently because it should give him a shake up.

There’s no doubting his talent.

Not at all, I just think he did a decent solid job last year whilst not earning the big bucks he was getting (but that's not his fault what the club paid him).

If he wants to go then pretty much like anyone else i believe it's the best allround.
However
What I was referring to is the constant need by some fans to pick scapegoats, their belief that if we get rid of player "x" like they suggest then the club would be better, constantly having digs at certain players (or coaches) just to promote their personal agendas/feelings and to be honest with you making up or telling half stories to get them across.

I've seen people state things as "Fact" that are based on what others have portrayed as Fact that aren't.

Apologies, went off track there, top line is I think wanes currently picking the right 19 to deal with the job in hand, but the people currently on the fringes will ALL have big parts to play this year and I dont think picking faults just to promote 1 idea or opinion over another does anyone any good.

Hamlin will get his chance; we have a whole season front of us.

Apparently Hamlin scored a 70 metre try for the reserves tonight against Keighley.

Just watched the highlights on WiganTV, he did indeed score a long range try, off a lovely inside ball close to the defensive line from Kibula. Hamlin didn't appear to play any part of the second half for some reason though.

Some nice scores there.