I think he was awesome last year.
And he started this season off well but when he came back int the team he didn't seem to be as good.

It's not a difficult decision. The quota is coming down and we need our overseas players to be the best in the side and in their position. Amos Roberts at fullback on his day he's probably the best in the league - Phelps isn't. He has great utlity value, but when we need to strengthen other areas (like at prop) and we have quota that is coming down, we can't afford to give up a quota spot to a utility player.

Phelps has no future as Wigan's number one IMO for as long as Amos Roberts is in the side and there is an overseas quota. I'll get shot down for saying it, but there you have it. I've called for Phelps to be given a shot at six since Huddersfield away (when we got tonked). Whether he will be given a shot is down to MaGuire. At the moment, the only potential opportunity for Phelps is when Sam plays for England. I just can't see where he fits into the squad. How can you deny Amos Roberts the fullback position in favour of Phelps? You can't. As soon as Roberts is fit you can bet your life that Phelps will be dropped in favour of him.

I prefer Pat & Goulding on the wings with Amos fullback over Amos & Pat on the wings with Phelps fullback anyday of the week.

He's hardly "a million times better at fullback" than on the wing. He's a better finisher than Goulding and he's good under a high ball aswell.

What absolute rubbish. Amos is best when he gets to come in field looking for the ball. He's even said it himself in the match day programme. I quote:



Amos has the distribution skills to link up in attack because he has previously played at stand off. His biggest threat is his open field running and returns of the ball. He's elusive, powerful and very quick. So it makes sense for him to play fullback. Did you not see his performance at Castleford? You obviously didn't otherwise you wouldn't make the above statement. Watch it.

His stats from that game btw were:

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

Do you honestly believe Phelps would have managed that?

Cameron Phelps is a very likeable player because he's friendly and smiles a lot. A couple kisses of the badge and people will defend him to the death. However with the Cherry and White speccies off, he isn't as quick, powerful, elusive or as dangerous as Amos Roberts. Roberts is the far greater athlete. Did you not see him swot off those Wakefield players for that great solo try? Do you really think Cameron Phelps could replicate that sort of skill, speed and athleticism?

Amos Roberts would have caught Richie Barnett. Both are very quick, but Roberts would have got him. I would have even bet that Roberts would have been in a better position than Phelps to not let himself get beat on the outside.



I don't understand what you mean by this.

The Quota is coming down quite considerably compared to previous seasons. So we need our overseas players to be of the best at the club and one of the best in their position in Super League. Amos Roberts is the best fullback at the club and is one of the best in Super League. Cameron Phelps is not. He's a good player, but isn't worth a quota spot. So therefore because we need to strengthen in other areas - such as at prop - we need to keep our quota spots open to sign up players in other areas.

Exactly. Remember his opening try against Warrington? Would Phelps have scored that?

I don't want to sound like I am getting on Phelps' back, he's a useful little player and great cover for Amos, but that's all he is - cover for Amos. I don't see him getting a contract next year because of the way Amos has been playing.

Im not saying hes rubbish on the wing, hes good on the wing aswell, but its a better option having our most creative player in the middle of everything than on the wing getting the ball less, dont you think?

Spot on. On current form, our best 5 backs are Roberts, Richards, Carmont Gleeson & Goulding, and that's the only combination of the five that works.

Having said that, I value Phelps highly as a utility back, and I'd like to see him stay on that basis, assuming he isn't on a massive salary deal, and also assuming IL has no-one better lined up to take up his quota spot.

Phelps' distribution is better that Roberts'. Amos is fantastic with ball in hand running at the defence, but I'd want Phelps if you're asking the fullback to play as an extra 6/7 as we have done.

Plus Roberts can still come in from the wing to carry the ball.

I think the real question is Goulding or Phelps? Amos and Richards walk into the team obviously but imo the last place is between them two, i think im right in thinking both of them are off contract at the end of the season? At the beginning of the season I would have said Phelps every time but Goulding is on fire this year, does the fact that hes home grown and doesnt count on the quota push him ahead abit? Or can we afford to keep both?

I think we can afford to keep both, but IMO Goulding deserves to be ahead of Phels on this season's form so far, so if one of them has to go, then it's bye bye Cam, I'm afraid.