Showed tonnes of potential but looked out of position. He's made a few errors bbut he's young and still learning the game especially an elite level.

Right time for a rest.

Gelling clearly has some flaws but all these are coachable. He has the raw materials and attitude in my opinion to make a top class player.

The yards he makes and the damage he causes in the collision are the kind of thing that you either have or don't.

I feel he will be a great asset to the club but he is certainly a long term investment. Another offseason and a settled position and he should be fine in my opinion.

Agreed.

Gelling wasn't expected to play so many games for the first team this year and I'm guessing the coaching staff have been aware for some time that he's got some parts of his game that need work, while recognising the potential he has.

I think it makes sense to give Gelling a little bit of a rest and allow him some games in his preferred position for the under 20's. Wane needs to know the capabilities of both Gelling and Thornley ahead of next year so it makes sense to give Thornley a good run of games right now.

Having said that Gelling is still in the squad for Friday so nothing is certain. There's always the option of resting either Carmont or Goulding for a game so both could end up playing in the next couple of games.

I'd be delighted if Gelling never came near a Wigan shirt ever again.

Words that people have said about players such as Pat Richards, Mark Riddell and Brett Finch over the years.

I think that's unfair. I've spent plenty time knocking him, but that's because I just don't think he's ready for the first team yet. He's got bags of potential, and (unlike Pryce, for example) I think he has the raw ability and temperament to succeed.

He needs somewhere else to learn to cut out the faults in his game, whether that's in the reserves or out on loan somewhere for a while. We've been lucky so far that his mistakes haven't cost us anything, but coming towards the business end of the season, one bombed try or defensive lapse could be the difference between winning and losing.

My only disagreement with you previously Geoff has been that although I agree with your sentiments and do agree he may not yet be the finished article, I don't believe we had a better option at that moment in time i.e for the last 4 months.
Now that Thornley is here that may have changed.

No need for me to add much, I agree with every word you wrote. I still think he will be an asset to us, just needs more time. He's just a kid remember.

Another good comment. I remember being a bit doubtful about Pat myself, but now I just want him back and leaping like a spring salmon again. Young Gelling will be a quality three-quarter. GIVEN TIME!

You don't learn to play the game at SL level, if he still needs to learn he should be in the 20's and left there until he knows how to play the game.

This thread is just a prime example of why I hate some Wigan "fans" the expectations of certain Warriors fans is frankly laughable it really does get me down when if a player isn't top of every stats list inside 10 games then their the worst player they've ever seen in a Wigan shirt its embarrassing how some can even claim to be a fan of this Club.

When a player breaks into the first team he should be ready, Gelling clearly isn't. People say he's still learning the game, and it shows, it's not like he's learning to play at SL level, he looke like hes still learning the game at every level.

Loyal doesn't mean blind my friend.