Saints fan weighing in so take it as you will

Wigan seem to be at using the same recruitment manual as Saints have in recent times up until the last season; projects mixed in with kids (and complete flops). Since Holbrook Saints have started to complement this strategy with a genuine NRL quality player (first Barba, the Naiqama). It gave our recruitment a complete different spin and has positivity flowing through the club, which feeds into and spurs on the kids - hence we’re on a bit of an upward spiral at the moment. Richardson’s running and stepping style is mimicking Barbas more and more with every passing game!

Warrington on the other hand are all about the here and now and forget the bringing players through and projects type signings

Oh, and I’ll sit on the fence about the wingers thing; Wigan and Saints use their wingers in incredibly different ways which makes comparisons very difficult. That being said, Makinsons defence is first class, a great finisher, solid under the high ball and his weakest area (returning the ball) has improved dramatically in recent years. There’s very few in SL I would trade him for.

Johstone is a fair call, he's quality. He did get dropped earlier in the season supposedly for not playing well enough but I haven't seen enough of him this year to know why Chris Chester made that call.

In terms of creating chances, I mean when Marshall makes a break it doesn't end with him, as it does for quite a few highly rated wingers. In my opinion when Marshall makes a clean break he's better than most of his rivals at creating a try scoring opportunity out of it, even if he doesn't finish the move himself. His ability to kick the ball accurately at pace, pick out accurate passes to supporting players and produce offloads in the tackle is something that shouldn't be overlooked. I know there's more of a focus these days on being flawless defensively and making good carries (and that's what makes Davies so impressive) but Marshall's attacking game is definitely worthy of high praise.

With regards to tackles we can agree to disagree. I happen to think it's an aspect of his game that he's greatly improved this year. I don't think Marshall has the same potential as Grace though, and I think Marshall will never properly become number 1 winger at a top Super League club simply because he's always compensating for his lack of height. No matter how well he plays there is always a greater chance that he'll be beaten in the air or overpowered by a bigger winger. I do like that Marshall doesn't let his head drop, and that after a bad mistake against Wire he responded with some good takes under pressure. I just don't think the effort will be enough to reach the level of consistency required.

Well put. I respect your opinion on this. I don't fully see how you can justify the 'breaks don't end with him' 'kick the ball accurately at pace' etc but I will say this, he's one of few players in attack who gets me off my seat when he's in open space, has the pace and ability to make something happen, and often find the try line, his attack has never been an issue with me.

In terms of age, in puts it into comparison when you look at other players around the same age as Marshall. Davies and Grace are younger, Burgess is only a year older. Whereas the likes of Tom Johnstone, Greg Minikin, Ash Hanley are all the same age, all are more complete outside backs.

I agree re the comments of how Marshall will never be a top 1st choice winger. Which is a crying shame. I'd love a winger from wigan to be the best around.

17stone 6lb according the club website.

TT is 17 stone 13lb, as is Sammy Kibula.

Hardly small.

Joel is next biggest at 16 stone 9lb, Sutton, Bretherton and Navarette are at 16 stone 3lb and Benny Flower, Caine Barnes and Jack Wells at 16 stone.

The worst thing about that was the rest of the team just standing and watching instead of giving Marshall some help.

First choice winger due to injuries to others reinforces my point which was the fact that someone at the very start of his career has already accomplished something extraordinary. Not really sure how you feel that contradicts it but whatever.

There's nothing skewed about asking for the markers by which you make the claim that Makinson is 'head and shoulders' above Davies. Last time I checked they didn't skew statistics in order to support one club or another. Yet again you fail to provide them. We're definitely starting to get a pattern here.

At least you recognize it as hyperbole. That's progress I guess. Maybe your next step it to recognize using it doesn't make it true.

Finally : "Head and shoulders" my ! Unless you care to prove otherwise of course...

He is similar to Budgie in that way. Both have time on the ball to take options while running at pace, nether are "head down run until tackled" types of player. It's a pleasure to watch.



The best taker of a high ball I have ever seen is Steve Hampson and he was a comparative midget. Players just gave up trying to kick to him. It's not impossible for smaller players to develop a technique to jump in a way to offset a height disadvantage.

I was gobsmacked with G Williams, he's better than that. He's not been a shadow of himself this season has he?

I agree. Felt sorry the lad. Can never question his effort or desire.

Is pretty good for it though FMC.
He looks to make the heavy yards and have sweet distribution too. It's makes me smile watching his dummy half passing he makes on occasions.

The point about teammates not helping Marshall out is a fair one; thinking back, it seemed to go on for ages. It was he who chased back in a desperate effort the last time we were humiliated by an after-the-hooter try, as I recall.

Size alone is not enough. My own clubs pack (Wakefield) is frankly massive yet there is no evidence so far this seaon that they could dominate anybody.

For whatever reason the attitude is all wrong at the moment with the backs shouldering far to much of the work.

We have pace in abundance but we simply can’t use it because the pack isn’t winning the battle up front.

Ditto mobility, potentially we have that in spades but that’s not happening either.

Packs win games and big and mobile as our pack is on paper on grass it’s totally lacklustre.

If you play it hard down the middle against us you could easily win because we are soft in sad to say.