His Bradford record from many moons ago or his Wigan record which is let's face it, far from good, many fans are living in a dream world if they think he is going to play like the forward he once was

To Say Fielden has been mediocre is very unfair. He was immense for us in 2006 when he signed and only then had a couple of poor seasons on the back of some personal problems. Fielden had found some real form through the 2010 season and if I'm not mistaken would have been selected for England had he not had an op on his knee (that subsequently led to a lengthy lay off after trying to come back too early V bradford in the 2nd game of the 2011 season.

I was sceptical that he could make any sort of return this season but he has and based on last night for the U20's I would have no qualms whatsoever in putting him on the bench v salford. The guy deserves a chance and at the end of the day nobody on here really knows just how he will react from an 18mth absence.

He will not be stupid, he knows he will be playing for a reduced contract and if he gewts offered a better contract elsewhere I'm sure he will take it and good luck to him.

I agree totally with you. Most judge him on his wages and not on his performance for us. If everyone was really not so hung up and judgemental on that they would realise no he rarely hit the heights he did for the Bulls with us but he was not a disaster by any means. If he goes well over the next few weeks i would give him a contract based on him been fit. If any long term injury he should then retire instantly. Only reason i would even consider that route is i can not see any decent props who are available atm in SL. We can more or less forget the NRL as no decent player will leave now due to the cap and currency rate.

far from good? he was vital for us in 2010 grand final winning season, so much work defensively, without him we'd have got nowhere near

been here since 2006, one and a half great seasons, two seasons injured and two where he was Rickey Bibey standard, not exactly spectacular is it

I think many of us feel that even if he gets to 85% of what he once was, he could be a useful addition to the squad.

The key here will be the probable reduction in his salary.

I actually don't think that he was half as bad a prop for us as many would have you believe. Sure he wasn't a world beater as he was at Bradford, but he gave many workmanlike, honest displays.

If he can rediscover that, and we can get him at the right price, then there are many worse options imo.

Thing is if he's fit is there anyone you can think of who we can realistically sign that's better?

Someone with a beard probably.

Greg Dowling?

Now he was a real rough house prop !

There are only 2 props with beards in superleague and both tick the wiganer box.

Paul wood and bryn hargrieves both are from the wigan area and have beards. Is that what you are hinting at

Calm down tricky it was just a Patrick ah van joke

He doesnt play prop

He can't play wing either.