Under Maguire I think there was or at least they were encouraged to all get in.

I’m not one of those fans who bags Wane constantly but there is no doubt over the years that some of that spirit and culture that Maguire instilled in the place has been eroded. This may sound silly and non important but even little things like seeing the players going to training camps or turning up for games in all odd training gear is a sign that the place has lost some professionalism and discipline. I’d want my ‘team’ looking like a ‘team’.

Maybe I’m sad

Never heard anything of this. Just witnessed a FB who was under-par then replaced.

I hope I'm wrong, but as cover, Escare is a good signing, as a first team starter? I'm not so sure.

john is right

Cheers for that.

no worries

Escare was a strange one from a fans point of view and to a certain extent it is to do with expectation, and managing expectations.

When he joined us he was seen by most including myself as a squad player who would only get a run out when we had an injury crisis.

As I mentioned above the coaches who are paid to know their stuff in both France and England rated him much higher than that.

I accept he is still green and learning which seems an odd thing to say for a player of his age and experience, however he was an absolute breath of fresh air in relation to providing the speed and evasiveness and general X factor that our turgid dull team so badly needed and I think that because not much was expected when he delivered like he did providing real moments of entertainment he became a fans favourite.

It’s kind of a role reversal from Tomkins where much was expected but for whatever reason last year he didn’t deliver and some fans turned on him.

I would say in both cases I would trust the coaches judgement over that of us sat in the stands.

Personally I’m more than happy for him to have the odd brain fart but start and give us as spectators something to shout about in a positive way.

100% agree

No brainer for me.. ST will no longer have the elusive pace he once had, and will therefore be more suited to using his experience closer to the forwards... Escare was excellent early last year, should obviously play at FB.

That’s kind of the point I was getting at. Escare, I think it is fair to say, was good and also provided some much needed entertainment value and quality at times but he also showed signs that he needs time to mature. Expectations were so though that he was described as excellent, which for me is a bit OTT can’t deny though he was good.

Similarly I’m not sure Saam was as bad as some would have us believe, once again more to do with expectations.

Just watched wigan tv and with the interview with wane it sounds like TL and Ganson to 9 and Powell to 6/7 bad move for me better with TL at 6/7 and MM/SP at 9

Shaun Wane knows more about how to be a rugby league coach than me but I’d love to see him start with Escare at FB with Sam in the halves. I’ve said all along I don’t think Powell is creative enough at 9, he’d be even worse at 6 or 7.

Funnily enough I think the reverse: Powell is no world-beater, but I think he's a better half than he is hooker.

I haven't watched the Wane interview, but do we deduce from this that Escaré isn't match-fit?

I don't think Powell has really had an opportunity to show what he can do in the halves alongside a more direct running threat like Williams is. Powell has played quite a few games in the halves over the years but the vast majority have been alongside Matty Smith (and as a result generally on the left edge with Smith on the right). The obvious problem with Smith and Powell in the halves is that neither are particularly direct so defenders are always expecting a pass. Powell played mostly at stand off and at least attempted to be more direct and if my memory serves me right he did okay during that period, but nothing spectacular.

In total he played 17 times alongside Smith, twice alongside Blake Green, 3 times with Williams, twice with Ryan Hampshire and once alongside Josh Woods (actually Gregson for most of that game if I'm not mistaken).

His games in the halves this year weren't great but there's some mitigation. One was the away embarrassment against Castleford where the entire team was a shambles and no half was likely to make an impact and the second was the home defeat to Salford with a weakened team (and as mentioned, he ended up partnering Gregson in the halves that game).

Really we don't know exactly how well Powell could do alongside an in form Williams and with some time to build up a partnership with the players on the right, just as we don't really know how Tomkins or Escare could do.

On his very few outings playing on the right side I've been impressed with Powell's passing ability from left to right, which might just help to make us a little bit more threatening on that edge. But then there are all sorts of options available, such as Williams playing on the right instead, allowing Tomkins or Escare on the left, or the more unlikely options of ditching split halves altogther.

Taken from Gellings new Blog the reason why he has gone... https://anthonygelling.wixsite.com/mysi ... in-a-bit-1

Taken from Gellings new Blog the reason why he has gone... https://anthonygelling.wixsite.com/mysi ... in-a-bit-1