I agree, competition for places is the key to maintaining top performances, players must know that their place is under threat if they dont reach the levels MM wants, but, if like Goulding has done in his last 2 games, you perform really well, score the tries when chances arise, defend solidly, and then get 'dropped', what message does that give out to him, during the season all players will have dips in 'form', but IMO, Goulding has earned a starting place.

So Phelps also hasn't earned his place in the squad?

Phelps is the best full back at Wigan. He's more structured than Amos and he's got a better rugby brain as well. It's no coincidence that Lockers was, in phelps absence, filling in the link up role on Friday and not Amos. Amos can't put in a pass like Phelps does or Lockers did on Friday.

It's not taking anything away from Roberts but his best position is wing and we've gotta find ways for him to come in field more but also we've gotta make sure Phelps still creating space for hid wing men.

Goulding sadly isn't as good as either Phelps or Amos and when you go to Saints with a prize as big as winning the last GF derby game at Knowsley Hole you needed all your aces on the pitch. Big games call for big players.

I'm with twosevenzero on this. I think Roberts is the best fullback at Wigan. Sadly he also the best winger.
If Piggy is injured I can see helps being on the bench on Friday as he is an excellent utility player.

They are two different types of player I guess and everyone is gonna fancy one style over the other.

I'd liken Amos to Jason Robinson in that he's got a wicked side step and blistering pace which means he's a threat everytime he gets the ball. I think this is what people seem to be getting excited about in regardes to Amos but Phelps for me is still the more complete FB when you weigh everything up.

If Riddell is injured i would like to see Phelps given a go at Standoff, we could have:

Roberts
Goulding
Gleeson
Carmont
Richards
Phelps
Tomkins
Fielden
Leuluai
Coley/Prescott depending on Coleys fitness
Bailey
Joel
O'Loughlin

Mossop
McIlorum
O'Carroll
Prescott/Feka depending on Coleys fitness

That's rubbish. Lockers has been linking up in attack all season. Not just in Phelps' absence. Amos Roberts has played in the halves in the NRL before and so has the distribution skills to link up in attack like Phelps' has been doing, as he proved against Castleford when he setup three tries and this season when he has been at fullback he has wrapped up six try assists. He is just as capable as Phelps in that department so we don't lose anything in that respect. However the big difference between the two IMO is Amos Roberts' open field running and returns of the ball. He has blistering pace and has the vision to spot a gap. His footwork is also awesome as demonstrated in 'that try' against Castleford. Cameron Phelps does not get close to Amos Roberts. Amos ripped Castleford to pieces whilst at fullback and it was one of the best performances from a Wigan fullback in years. He is the most dangerous man in Super League at the moment and needs his hands on the ball as much as possible which is why fullback makes sense and why MaGuire had told him to come in field more before a ball had been kicked against Castleford. He is much more of a threat than Cameron Phelps and that is not doing Phelps any disjustice either. Roberts is just that good.

Would Phelps have got these stats that Amos did against Castleford? -

Tries - 3
Assists - 3
Metres - 202
Carries - 18
tackles - 3
Busts - 8
Breaks - 4

I think Amos Roberts' long term future at the club is at fullback with Shaun Ainscough and Pat Richards on the wings. Many experts/pundits who have watched Amos in the NRL thought that fullback was his best position.

I'm curious why Amos was largely passing to Pat to run the ball in on kick returns on Friday though, he ran it a bit and then passed to pat to take the tackle. Maybe an injury?

I think the upturns in form that Madge has produced are causing us some good problems, rather than us arguing who is the "least bad" option for a position.

Phelps will @ some point get a point @ 6 this season, and am really excited to see what that might bring us.

I never said Phelps hadn't earned his place in the squad, nor was the post meant to be 'anti' Phelps, my point was about player's (in this case Goulding) coming into the side, doing what was asked of them and more, showing 'form', and then being 'dropped', I believe this sends out the wrong message to him, its not like he's just broken into the squad and its his debut season, IMO his performances have earned him a place in the team. At the fans forum I spoke to MM, he stated players would be selected on performance and form and not on reputation or seniority (something Noble was accused off), this is how it should be, play for your place, reward excellence, support commitment, this should be 'The Wigan Way'.

If Riddell is'nt fit i'd like the team to be -

Phelps
Richards
Carmont
Gleeson
Roberts
Sam T
Leuluai
Coley If fit otherwise Prescott
McLlorum
Fielden
Hansen/Bailey
Tomkins
Lockers

SUBS:
Prescott/Feka
O'Carroll
Mossop
Hansen/Bailey/Farrell

Very harsh on Goulding but sometimes thats how it is and tough decisions need to be made. I like the look of us with Lockers at six when Tommy goes to Hooker, we just look extremely solid.

If Goulding is going to be kept in over anyone i'd like it to be Carmont. I just like our back three being Phelps, Roberts and Richards its so dangerous and were a much greater threat with both Roberts and Phelps in the team.

Very difficult one for Maguire this. For me, Roberts is the best full back and winger (or at least alongside Richards) at the club.

I suppose the question is, are Wigan as a side better with Roberts at FB and Goulding on the wing, or Phelps at FB and Roberts on the wing?

Tough one because I think the honest answer would mean dropping Goulding, who has performed brilliantly so far this year.

Phelps & Roberts both on the field see us with our strongest line up on the field.

Thats the way it's gotta be for a game of such magnitude.