He was lightning fast, could sniff out a half chance and had a 'feel' for who and when to back up.

However, he couldn't tackle to save his life and appeared to have a heart the size of a pea. My lasting memory of him isn't his try scoring but him actually running away from a Wakefield prop who had made a break and was one on one with him.

Good luck to him. He has everything that he needs to be an outside back in Union.

For Chris Ashton see Kevin Penny - RL is not just about speed - the lad couldn't defend to save his life when in a Wigan shirt and had no courage. Of Wigan's backline only a case for a place above Roberts could be made on last years performances and even in that context, I'd look at giving Ainscough a run first.

Now go and troll elsewhere

Lost a huge amount of respect for Ashton during one of the games of his last season. I forget who we were playing, but we were defending the North stand, about 40 out. They made a slight break on our left touchline and Ashton was covering. A quick PTB and they were passing the ball right across the width, making yards all the time. I watched Ashton and he walked - yes, the full-back walked - from left to right, watching the handling on display but making no effort to get over. They had an overlap, broke, and after a few offloads they eventually scored. It was only after they broke and it was clear he would be needed that Ashton broke into a jog, and he never got there in time.

Saying that, he's just scored for Northampton on the replay I'm watching (Xmas telly really is crap this year). Completely misjudged catching a kick and then backed up a nice break from Ben Foden to score. Sounds about right then.

Ashton joined a union team nicknamed "Saints" so thats enough to call him a devil for me. They ironically beat Worcester Warriors!

Mate, that is utter garbage! He was no better than Ainscough, maybe not even as good in that his try scoring return was nowhere near that of Ainscough's. In the same way, he was an excellent attacking player with defensive frailties. Ainscough could not make the side last year and, even if he could, it would not of been at the expense of Pat Richards or George Carmont for example. Get a grip man.

I wasn't agreeing with the shirt incident as such more the statement about the lack of respect he showed Wigan/the fans. As soon as he signed that contract he put zero effort in and Noble still didn't drop him for what seemed like months. Unforgivable, i'd never have him back at Wigan.

Unforgiveable behaviour? Dis-respected the club? Bad attitude?

Maybe so but Gareth Hock isn't exactly a shining little light is he? When he was hoovering the white stuff up his nasal passage he wasn't showing any respect was he? Not to the club, fans or coaches etc etc. What, was he "trying to get 2010 shirt sponsor"? What was Hock's attitude? With what he did it shows it was very poor.

Why is Hock the blue-eyed boy and Ashton the anti-christ? Don't try and spout the 'young and mis-guided' horsesh*t, it won't wash. Ashton was younger than Hock at the time - at least he wasn't taking Class A drugs.

Yes he paraded round in Northamptons shirt amongst other things - but IMHO that pales into little in-significance compared to the Hock scandal.

But for the right money and on Wigan's terms, yes I would have him back. However, it will never happen as his Yawnion career appears to be flourishing.

I'd have him back on a reasonable wage yes. But i dont blame the club for letting him go. We pay the asking price for him at the time would have meant we cant pay other younger players their more reasonable asking price because ashton is taking up a ridiculous amount of the SC, we could have ended up losing someone like Tomkins, Ainscough or Mossop.

You're joking right?

I Bet he's not!

Personally he would have to come back and play for practically nowt for me to consider having him back!

As the poster above mentioned the Huddersfield game away was the Final straw for me! Absolutely Awful, no effort, no heart! I'm not sure which was the worst bit of that game for me but if pushed it would be when he let the ball bounce (Not couldn't get to it, he just let it drop a yard away from him and he didnt have to run, he was stood underneath it) and then let Paul Riley catch it and couldn't even complete the tackle! Riley caught it seciond bounce stood still and then pushed him off! Truly Awful!

Wakey away was almost as bad!

Another poster mentioned him walking along the line behind the defensive line, he did it EVERY week, he was never in position and when any team kicked near our line he was always miles away!
He could only play the game one way, ball in hand, and unfortunatley for him that's not good enough at the Top Level in our game!

I'm not bothered about the shirt thing, not bothered he's gone to union etc etc

I just don't want Bad Apples with questionable commitment and effort at the club, he's one of them!

People keep making comparisons with Hock, and I don't really think it washes. Hock is an established international, who on his day can be an absolute wrecking ball. He's played at the highest level and, while he was always prone to the odd brain fart, was mostly very effective. His loss is a big blow to the club, and people can't be blamed for hoping he sorts himslef out sufficiently to do his time and then return. Ashton might have become a top class player in due course, but it was all unfulfilled potential at that stage of his career. Don't get me wrong, I'd have liked him to stay - but it makes sense for people to grieve the loss of Hock while at the same time feel that Ashton, who as you say will never come back, screwed us over pretty royally.

A fair summary.

The closest comparison to Chris Ashton that I can think of is Lee Smith - good attacking instincts, plenty of pace, dodgy defence and poor temperament. Despite Smith's obvious talent Leeds didn't seem too bothered that he was leaving for RU - by the same account, Wigan shouldn't be too fussed that Ashton is gone. He wasn't by any means the superstar that fans of other clubs would have us believe at the time he left, his poor defensive displays both in terms of positioning and tackling technique were a big contribution to our terrible performances in 2006 and early 2007, which were not fully compensated by his excellent try scoring record from full back.

Notwithstanding the above, I'd have him back if he ever returned to RL provided there was evidence his attitude had matured and his defence had improved, as in that case his support play / pace / try scoring ability would provide an additional threat that we don't have at full back. However I've seen no evidence of the required improvement in his Union career thus far.

If we were given the option of Ashton and Briscoe as fullback for Season 2011 I would choose Briscoe everytime! Run through brick walls that lad...!!

I think the difference between Hock and Ashton, is that Gaz at least showed some of his potential over a much longer tenure with the club and his failings are a personal issue rather than any predetermined intention to cause harm to Wigan. Ashton on the other hand looked to have great potential but needed work to iron out the issues in his game, wasn't prepared to put the required effort in, showed no loyalty to Wigan or RL and instead took the mercenary option of a struggling Union club whilst not offering any effort for the remainder of the season. My main disappointment is that he jumped ship at the first opportunity without paying his dues for the opportunity / development that Wigan had offered him. Whilst I understand that some people are motivated ultimately by money, I just cannot empathise with a young lad who turns his back on an opportunity with his local team, when most players his age would just be grateful to have a first team shirt in SL at that stage of their career.