Props

Quote: stillinthepast "A.U.O.P. You say what an insult to Joel, it wasn't an insult, it was an observation of the game today.
Joel came back from Union and found out straight away that it wasn't the same, before he left he made his name has a long striding second row who could run away from the opposition such was his pace. before he left he had players like Tommy Leu and Sam and Lockers who could give him the short ball so that once through he was away and that was it, hence the number of tries he scored from 25/35 yards.
Since coming back though the service hasn't been there, Smith does not seem to have that ability on a regular basis to provide that kind of service and Lockers does not get about the field like he used to do. All this is borne by the lack of times Joel has ran tries in on a regular basis like he used to do and when you say Joel has the best offload of any of our forwards it is a sad reflection of the Wigan pack.
Your offload observation is probably based on the sublime inside pass he gave to Matty Bowen the other week, most of the time though he carries the ball in one hand and if the ball goes to hand it is a bonus.
I was comparing his work rate with Farrell making the point that Liam gets through more carries with the ball hence metres gained, as well has tackles completed. I also made the observation that Faz is probably on less money as well due to the fact that Joel is a player returning to the fold.
This is not a Joel knocking post, I am trying to point out that Joel is at his best as a forward who wants to run, but to do that he needs the service.
Liam on the other hand is the complete work horse forward who does it game after game.

I am not normally one for Stats but the ones below from last nights match point out the differences between the two players.

Joel Carries 11, Metres made 69, Tackles 26.
Liam Carries 19, Metres Made 123 Tackles 35.

Cheers,'"

Fair enough. Well argued. I must admit being a supporter I tend to form an attachment to certain players and I find it hard to criticise. When Joel came back I was delighted. I was worried he would struggle back in League. I'm more than happy with his contribution. As I see it he's one of our own. Family, if you like. Families stick together.

I find some of the criticism on here, at times, to be quite ridiculous. I think that we have the most fickle and spoilt fans in the business. Joel would walk into any team at Loose Forward or Second Row. To start criticism after such a great victory seems perverse. I honestly thought that we might have a few people eating humble pie this morning, especially after the displays of the two Mattys and Lockers. Apparently not. It seems we always need someone to bag.