Spot on. I did think, however, that following Hull's Crookes sending off for a bad looking tackle that had no malicious intent, the officials might have been under instruction to show no tolerance.

Think that's just different ref's doing things their own way. Thaler might not have sent Crookes off if he'd have reffed that game, likewise Silverwood might not have sin binned anyone in our game.

Either way James Child would've made a b*ll*cks of the Leeds/Wigan game.

I think the key, as well as being different refs, was that the Crookes one did look much worse, and the contact actually was worse. Ref gets one look, as does the liner. Thaler had a much better view of the McIlorum shot as well.

Personally, I would say he is decent, but better around. He is important to Wigan, and that is what matters to them, so good luck to them. We only have to look at our own side over the years to see the importance of certain players and are not rated by opposition.

Given an option of hookers in super league, other than what we have, he would be about 5th in my own pecking order. But that is not a bad thing, as IMO we have a few good ones.

I personally think he should stick with Wigan, where he has worked to get himself that shirt, and positioned himself well. I don't think he would have the same impact at another club.

he's a far better loose than hooker for me

That comment is one to follow with interest.

He's so average it's untrue.
The Wigan fans were raving about his performance against you.
I watched it back. He made 5-6 tackles in the 1st 20 mins. Ran the ball once while Dudson Taylor and Bateman really held their own and more.
His tackle on Peacock was a cowards way out. He didn't bend his back to hit Peacock just went high at no risk to himself. His then immediate action was to look at the ref who he kept in eye contact with because he knew he was about to get slapped by Peacock.
Bateman on the other hand is one fearless little sod. What did he do to Bailey's head? Never shirked a thing. Took the ball up on his return from the bin whilst Mickey was nowhere to be seen for another 10 mins.
Don't believe the myth of this average thug.
There's 5-6 better hookers in the league
Roby
Lunt
Clarke
Houghton
Hodgson
Monaghen
I dare not post this on the Wigan board. You just get a bukakke of abuse if you dare criticise them.

You don't rate him then?



Still not sure Bateman did anything to Bailey's head. Most likely source of that cut that I could see on replays was a stray boot during the melee. Bailey and Bateman mainly just cuddled.

Bateman is no respecter of reputation. I've yet to be convinced there's much there to back up the swagger though. Time will tell.

I'd love to have a hooker as average as Micky mc ATM.

Roby is the best 9 in SL by a mile when on form, Micky and Lunt battle it out in second IMO

Am I missing the reason Danny Houghton always slips under the radar in these discussions? I don't see him play that often, but I've always been impressed when I have seen him. Tough, good work ethic, steers his pack around the park very well, picks his times to go from DH and does it well.

He's really good.

He needs to get out of Hull though and apply and develop his talents elsewhere otherwise he'll drown in mediocrity.

(maybe a bit OTT, but I'm that way out today)

One thing that I dont think has been spoken about on this thread is the "cannonball" tackle on Bailey by Bateman just prior to the fight. This, I beleive is what started it all off, and the 3 consequtive incidents of foul play by Wigan.
I'm sure suspensions earler in the season were for lesser offences and is something that has'nt been penalised much at all. Poore and Paea were suspened earlier in the season.

Also, after watching the game again, I think Baileys head cut was from a head clash, the camera from behind the goal shows this very clearly.

Disagree, would take Houghton/Clark over Micky/Lunt.

Shaun Wane likens him to the departed Terry Newton www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... -1-6626497 to be fair there are a few similarities www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlQCew1lryE

Shaun Wane likens him to the departed Terry Newton www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... -1-6626497 to be fair there are a few similarities www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlQCew1lryE

Hookers in SL:

1. Roby
2. Lunt
3. Houghton
4. Clark
5. Monaghan / Higham
6. Hodgson / McIlorum

Agree with above about Houghton, both he & Hodgson need to get out of Hull if they're to go anywhere.

Atm I'd definitely support a deal to get Houghton with Aiton going the other way.

Hull board are always complaining about Houghton's passing from dummy-half and insist he makes so many tackles because the opposition run at him because he never wins the collision. Certainly don't think he'd be an upgrade on Aiton.

On topic, Roby, Clark, McIlorum and Lunt are the best hookers in the league, probably in that order, though with Roby declining and Clark improving that could change soon.

Hodgson is better than two of those.

I must admit I was puzzled by some of the hull fc board moaning about the large amount of tackles houghton was undertaking . Why not ask some of his fellow pack colleagues to help him out,pehraps that's why they are struggling .
As for Lunt ,I have recorded several times on here my disappointment at our failure to sign him, chiefly because when we had him he was superb.
But I thought he was not the finished product,with some more coaching he could improve even more.
Also with moon,I thought it was a smart signing but he could improve. Which I think he has fulfilled that promise.
We have been unlucky with aiton,he just seemed to be clicking when he went on sick leave.
Maybe we could sign another hooker,certainly any signings in the future should be of the forward variety.

Hilarious. The Warrington pair are at best mediocre.

I saw it live and it wound me up, I'd forgotten about that.

It's been part of Wigan's game for a while and it's ehouse cowardly. I remember Cunningham going mental at Tomkins for doing it.

Why on earth do you think Roby is declining?

His form this season has not been that great. Whether that's the beginning of a long-term decline or just a blip I don't know. I do know Clark is improving though...

Another mediocre performance from him tonight.

I really don't like the way that Wane has got his charges playing this year and this was evident last night. Last season Wigan were playing with skill and style, structured attacking line and a disciplined defence. All that seems to have gone out of the windows replaced with a two pronged game plan:

[list=11. Slow the ruck down as much as is possible
2. Niggle like f*ck[/listicon_surprised.gif

I said it earlier, Shaun Wane is a 'win at all costs' coach and good luck to him. History doesn't remember how a team played so much, more the trophies in the cabinet. Personally I'd prefer to watch a team like Cas, playing way above their abilities because they are well coached with a decent game plan but not necessarily winning silverware.

What cannot be denied, is that Wigan have a very young team capable of winning silverware, whilst we have an old team capable of winning silverware.

It looks like Wigan have got their recruitment and development strategy spot on, with their youngsters eager to step up and grab their chance.

Whereas we seem a tad less adventurous, and under this coach happy to stick to a rigid and ageing squad. I hope GH has a cunning plan, or we're in for a decade of Pie People gloating.