I'm sorry, but this is exactly the type of wishy washy crap that irritates me on these forums. Just because the lad smiles a lot it doesn't mean we should be re-signing him or even using that as a reason to keep him on at Wigan. It's a ridiculous point to make when you think about it. Every player in Rugby League must enjoy what they're doing otherwise why do it?

See my post on the Rumours Thread about PhelpsHe isn't worth a quota spot. He played one and half games at the start of the season (against Crusaders & Hull KR at home) and was average, but since then he has been very poor when he was called upon. Against Salford away he looked very slow and off the pace & was completely embarrassed at Sheffield Eagles. He isn't a top Super League fullback - like Amos Roberts/Sam Tomkins - and is very average in any other position he plays in due to his lack of pace/acceleration. I don't buy into the fact he gives us great squad depth because of this. You also have to consider his value as a utility player because I think he hampers the opportunities of Josh Charnley, Stefan Marsh etc. Also when you compare him to our other quota players - Brett Finch, Jeff Lima, Ryan Hoffman, Amos Roberts - he isn't even in the same league as them. He was a rejected youngster from Canterbury who wasn't good enough for the NRL. At the time he was just a stop gap & now we no longer need him. We have Sam Tomkins & Amos Roberts who are light years ahead of Cameron Phelps at fullback (I would have hoped their performances just highlight how average Phelps was). And we don't need a quota spot to be taken up by a utility player and we now certainly don't need one for fullback. I think the free spot could be better used in another position such as at hooker to replace Riddell or at prop to strengthen the forwards or to perhaps replace Fielden. Then again it could just be kept free in case an opportunity to strengthen mid-season arises.

I think what speaks volumes of Cameron Phelps is that he is being shown the door at Wigan, but no club as of yet has even been linked with him. He is VERY average. Likeable lad with a brave heart, but not good enough for a side with title ambitions.'"

Thank you. I no longer need to WAND er about it.

Ignoring the childish aspects of your posts, the point about 'enjoying playing RL' is a poor reason to sign/resign a player in RL. Do you think any player at the club at the moment isn't enjoying their RL? It's clutching at straws was the point I was making.



I can't fault his effort - he didn't want to come off against Hull KR, but I disagree with you about his abilities & would love to know what it is about him that makes him a 'very good back-line player'.

I don't think he has 'simply been unlucky with injuries'. He had a chance against Salford City Reds and was very poor and completely off the pace & then was embarrassed against Sheffield Eagles. I believe he has played in the U20's the last few weeks & so has been fit for selection, but MaGuire has shown more faith in Stefan Marsh & Josh Charnley.

IMO his departure should free up a valuable quota spot & his wages can be used to reward Josh Charnley & Stefan Marsh (Sale are continually linked with him) with new improved long-term contracts.

You were obviously watching a different player than i was then, he was fantastic at the end of last season and before he got injred at the start of this season, and was involved in many of our tries early on when coming into the line. He has been unlucky with injuries, just because you don't rate him as a player you're nitpicking. The fact that Maguire gave him the number 1 shirt at the start of the season means he must have rated him as a player.

IIRC there were many questions marks over his defence after last season. I recall him having an absolute shocker in us getting battered by Huddersfield. He was average at best IMO at the beginning of the season. He did come into the line and setup some tries, but given the opposition and the way the team is playing now I have yet to see anyone struggle to do that at Wigan - Sam Tomkins, Amos Roberts and Pat Richards. What sets Amos Roberts/Sam Tomkins apart from Cameron Phelps and why I see him as no more than average is his lack of speed/acceleration off the mark/footwork/deception and running in open play. I would also question his support play. It was mainly his lack of speed/acceleration that saw him get embarrassed by Richie Barnett at Sheffield. People argue that he is fast, but I would have backed Amos Roberts/Pat Richards/Sam Tomkins to catch him. The second time IIRC Phelps just gave up. Maguire did give him the number one shirt, but was that due to lack of options rather than his ability? Why if he rates him as a player did has he not featured since the Sheffield away game? Maguire has gone with Stefan Marsh, Josh Charnley, Karl Pryce and Darrell Goulding rather than Phelps. If he wanted to accommodate Phelps then he could have done. We've even moved Sam Tomkins a halfback to fullback instead of just drafting Cameron Phelps back into the side.

If Madge is such a fan then why wont he play this week? The answer is the reason I think we should/will release him.

I completely agree

I wouldnt read a great deal into the squad numbers, Maguire was only here a couple of weeks when they were announced.

I would love it if wigan payed me to play for them, and i swear i will smile at all times whilst on the pitch.

can i have a contract now?

On a serious note, there are way to many question marks over phelps for me. the main problem is the players i would pick above him in each position.

FB-Amos, Sam, Richards and Marsh.
Wing-Richards, Amos, Charnley, Goulding, Pryce(if he stays), Marsh.
Centre-Carmont, Gleeson, Goulding, Marsh, Pryce, Charnley.
HB-Tommy, Sam, Finch. (mellor depending on recovery) as well as amos provding cover there. maybe deacon.

so you are looking at at least 3 injury's before he even gets a look in.

Who knows about the next lot of young players as well, i dont see why we should halt there progress by having phelps either taking up a u20 spot all season, or being put in the first team when we have an injury crisis above the young lads.

he seems a nice guy, but you need more than that to be in this wigan squad.

Thats a cracking, professional piece of journalism. If that was on our website it would read "St Helens have decided to release the following players.......we thank them for their endeavour"