Where have you got this impression that Thornley is such an awesome talent?

Regardless of your misguided opinions on the above players, only George Carmont is in theory "keeping him out the team" as your posts suggests as the rest don't play in Thornley's position.

The lad is 18, signed from 16. He was in full-time education at St.John Rigby College doing Maths, Science and PE. Wigan offered him a full-time contract, but he turned it down to complete his studies. A wise move IMO. And I hope that answers your question as to why he hasn't made an appearance yet in the first team, and that is before we look at the players we have coming through the academy who have progressed and excelled at a far greater rate than Thornley. Hence Stefan Marsh was handed his debut this season against Huddersfield Giants at the Murrayfield Magic weekend.

This thread is outrageous!

Well, if you lot are happy with the situation then so be it. If my club was damaging the country and virtually destroying any chance we have of improving as a nation and raising the profile of the sport in this country I wouldn't be. The pursuit of such egocentric goals as those which Wigan pursue will only lead to a future of shame and pity.

Some fans are going OTT about Wigan and some Wigan fans need to learn to stop being so sensitive and learn to take constructive criticism once in a while.

Wigan have had the best Reserves side for the last two years. Every team in Super League (apart from Leeds) has at least one Wigan trained player in their side. Not to mention the vast amount littered around the Championship sides. Wigan have the most amount of players on dual-registration than any other side in Super League. Wigan last week had 11 out of 17 players Wigan born or Wigan trained in their side. Wigan have another ten players, born or trained in Wigan, playing in their side tonight. Mike MaGuire has given debuts to four Wigan trained players this season in Liam Farrell, Johnny Walker, Stefan Marsh and Ben Davies in this season alone. Do I seriously need to go on?

I have yet to see anything on this thread that is "constructive criticism". People are ignoring the facts completely.

That's a VERY easy question to answer. He hasn't played for the first team yet as he has been on a part time contract. He was offered a full time deal at 16 but chose not to accept it as he wanted to complete his A-Levels. The part time deal was done with the assumption he would sign a full time contract once his A-Levels were complete. He chose not to and sign for sale instead.

What do you suggest a club does. Offer all 'promising' kids 100k a year just in case the turn out to be good?

I really don't see the problem, Wigan are releasing as many (if not more) overseas players than they are bringing in. Hoffman, Finch and Lima are all world-class players. I'd be ecstatic if Cas signed players of this quality, would be ordering my season-ticket tomorrow!

There isn't a problem. It's just another excuse, however unjustified for people to have a pop at Wigan. It's just a hobby for some.

People are entitled to say that Wigan should be focusing on their youth. If it is "world-class", their entire squad should be from Wigan bar 1/2 overseas players.

Suppose it's a consequence of success (and cynically cheating your way out of relegation).

But we are focusing on youth. More than most clubs in Super League.

I think your comment about how our entire squad should be from Wigan is hilarious and you have come across just like the rest of them.

I don't think I'll post on the VT anymore.

Leeds are the only team in the league without an-ex Wigan player. (Admittedly the players at Catalans, Crusaders and Warrington aren't home grown) But it's still a damn good record.

Jon Clarke ?

I'd completely forgotten about him.

Out of interest, did any of you ardent critics listen to what Shaun Wane had to say when Eddie quizzed him about the three signings?

Thought not.

I said entire squad bar 1/2 overseas players but don't let the whole sentence get in the way your whinge.

Focusing on youth more than most clubs? I think some clubs are behind the eight ball due being newly promoted or not having enough cash and slowly but surely some clubs are catching up.

And my comments go for every club, not just Wigan.

No, but I read his article in the Manchester Evening News about it:

Fine entire squad bar 1/2 overseas players - it's still a silly statement to make.




I don't have an issue to raise with over clubs over their youth policy. Frankly I'm only concerned about Wigan. Some opposition supporters seem to be just as engrossed into Wigan as me.



I never dreamt for a moment that the above wasn't the case.

The type of tosh I now expect from you.

Really? And here's me thinking the quota system was being reduced gradually so that we will probably have a total of 3 quota players anyway?

Do you honestly believe clubs like Harlequins, Crusaders, Salford, Bradford, Wakefield, Castleford, Hull KR, Hull FC, Huddersfield and Warrington have a cat in hells chance of making the above happen?

Clubs will always find ways around it. Wigan didn't want the reclassifying of quota players as Federation trained before the rules were put in place, but the majority of the league did.

Ian Lenagan has apparent plans for a full Wigan squad made of Wigan born/trained players. I don't think this is realistic or wise.

Yes.

At Cas we've currently got four quota players - McGoldrick, Widders, Chase and Sargent. Sargent is going at the end of the season so unless we recruit more overseas players then it is possible for us.

The whole point of the licensing was to increase the production of young English players. Some clubs are doing that proactively and we're starting to see the shoots coming through now.

Please explain to me how this is constuctive criticism?

Do you not think it would be great if every club in super league produced as many good young players as Wigan do and then also bring world class players into the league? How good would super league be if every club did that?

Like Cadoo says, you ignore the facts about how many young players we produce compared to other clubs and also the FACT that 4 aussie players are leaving.

We havn't made big aussie signings since 2007 really and yet as soon as we do everyone jumps on the 'lets all insult Wigan bandwagon'. Saints signed players like Soliola and Puletua to fill gaps and no one bats an eye lid.

By arguing against these signings you are effectively saying that we should promote youth INSTEAD, well does your club always promote youth rather than singing overseas players?

Next season we will have a perfect balence of youth, experience and overseas top talent, deal with it! But just because it's Wigan it happens to become your perfect nature to complain!

You cannot argue with the facts about how many young players we promote.

Quite frankly you don't even have an argument in this.