"I don't accept people are too dim to understand the implications of re-signing him for the rest of the squad so I am baffled at the support for this player. "

Dave, spin it how you will, but that is strongly implying that people who "don't understand" your argument on this are "dim".

As for the rest, I basically agree that retaining Phelps may be a problem. But I can also see that sometimes you have to stop hatching convoluted plans and just stick with a player if he's delivering the goods.

With regard to the prop situation, neither you nor I know what the real options are - and they won't necessarily all involve players "like Griffen". I certainly wouldn't jettison a player who's giving his all purely because keeping him might mean that we can't then sign some top Aussie prop - who presumably (if the Phelps re-signing is true) isn't even on our radar at present.

I think the rules only apply to players who are non federation trained but who don't count on the quota.

Phil Bailey will count for nothing because of the relaxtions on the quota the RFL made that overseas players (who count on the overseas quota) who have signed before the new rules were made don't count on the quota when their contracts are renewed. But they will if they move clubs.



That is correct providing they were signed prior to the rule change.



Correct and a quota spot.



Apparently not. The only reason I can see is that neither have ever counted on the overseas quota only the non federation trained and so the rules only apply to players like them.



Not mine IL's reckoning

Dave

At the end of the day Phelps is good, young, talented, bang in form and on a wage that isn't constrictive to the salary cap.

The argument over overseas spots is a none starter imo as if Phelps wouldn’t have been signed we would have had to replace him from the NRL anyway as there are no young British players equal to Phelps currently out there! Then you’ve got to ask yourself who is better in the NRL that will come over here and be;

A-Better than Phelps is now,
B-Come over for Phelps wage,
C-Provide the squad coverage Phelps does
D-Provide the length of service Phelps will at the club
E-Has the potential Phelps also has?

I truly think we’d be struggling to find anyone in the NRL that can tick all the above boxes. Yes we maybe able to get some 29/30year old semi decent/Glory days behind them type of player on a short term fix but what would be the point? Phelps has the potential to be our FB for the foreseeable future/

Why are we finding problems with this? I’m seriously worried about the state of some of the fans of this club--- we boo our own players when they are playing for us, we hound certain players out of the club, we criticise the chairman no matter what he does, we knock resigning like Phelps who is arguably the inform FB in SL at this moment in time. It’s constant doom and gloom on here it really is

Absolutely spot on.

Some people follow this club by viewing stats, facts and figures on a computer screen opposed to actually watching the game and personal performances.

It gets boring.

The only thing that matters imo is that Phelps is currently right in form and I can see no reason why that won’t continue or that he won’t get better.

I think we need to stop referring to Phelps as young. He is 24 not 19. He is midway into his career and approaching his peak for a back.

I am pleased with this re-signing as long as he doesn't leave us short in quota spots as DaveO mentions. If it doesn't then I think it is a good move. Cameron Phelps at the moment is the best fullback at the club. Amos Roberts and Pat Richards are not as good as him. I think in attack he is brilliant with his inter-linking with Thomas Leuluai setting up the last two winning tries for us. I haven't seen him miss a one on one tackle yet and he rarely makes many mistakes. He has improved every week and under a full year with Kris Radlinski will no doubt improve more. The fact the contract is only for a year keeps our options open. Also it means Pat can start a season knowing where he will be playing - on the wing! His best position IMO where he is more of an attacking threat.

At the end of the day im happy with Phelp's great squad player better than alot we have had end of convo

To put it another way it then he’s still got plenty of years and seasons left in him which can only be good for Wigan.

It depends how he performs. He may have plenty of seasons left but he might be crap.

He is at the moment the best fullback we have at the club but is not one of the best in the league. Brent Webb, Clint Greenshields, Paul Wellens, Shaun Briscoe etc are better. He needs to improve to that level to warrant an extension at the end of this current deal.

Your fullback has to be one of the best players in your squad. One of the key positions in your side. I don't think Phelps is at the moment but I think he is getting there and is showing signs he may get there. He needs to improve his support play, track back quicker and improve his positioning. Positioning will improve with experience as Kris Radlinski mentioned in his book. He also mentioned in his book that he used to practice his running doing overtime and trying to get faster. Something which I think Phelps needs to do.

On current form, Phelps is one of the first names on the team sheet, he is in form, one of our most creative players and deserving of the "1" shirt next season.

I really don't know what fans want sometimes, they slated Mathers until the lad was afraid to be a water carrier, other players are booed and ridiculed based on their accent, apparent body language or person who replaced / are keeping out of the team.

Phelps is one such victim of this because it is percieved that he is keeping Shaun bloody Ainscough out of the team. He isnt. Phelps is the FULLBACK in this team on merit. Ainscough has to dislodge one of the WINGERS namely Richards or Roberts.

Yes, in terms of the quota laws for 2010, it potentially means we cant sign an overseas player that we all know we need, but I think we all know a halfback isnt coming so it doesnt really matter, Bailey & Carmont still need to be resigned and either could makeway for a prop. To slate this singing merely because we MIGHT be signing someone from overseas is stupid.

It needs to be accepted that a player who is showing passion in the shirt and wants to be here is worth more than a "name" player (using Fielden as an example). We bemoan players like Mathers for not being good enough and bemoan players like Riddell/Fielden for not looking like they care. We get someone who ticks both boxes in Phelps and we still complain. Honestly, what do we want?

Id like to say well done IL for resigning Phelps - now if you could add a top class prop to that everything would be much better.