115 tackles in 4 games, with a 100% success rate, ie 0 missed tackles.

Given the possession we had v Salford and in the second half v London and add to his offensive plays as well the contribution to the team is massive.

He is really making a run for a World Cup spot in the back row.

interesting question would be do people prefer Farrell at 12, or Gaz Hock? Farrell gives you the workmanlike effort, steady, dependable and will run his blood to water. Hock is the unpredictable x-factor that can win a game on his own, or smash somebody in the face and lose it for us ...

Not that Hock will ever play for us again, but just putting that question out there

I'd have Faz anytime over Hock

Slightly on the negative side (only slightly) he is the second most penalised player, one behind Justin Poore of Wakefield.

does the higher tackle count not contribute to his getting penalised more in the tackles?

would like to see his tackle count/penalty ratio and compare it to other players.

Faz, massive work rate, dependable, good in attack. It's just a shame that 2nd row is the only position open to him at the moment.

Quote ="wigan pie man"does the higher tackle count not contribute to his getting penalised more in the tackles? would like to see his tackle count/penalty ratio and compare it to other players.'" Farrell is 19th in the tackles made. www.superleague.co.uk/stats

Quote ="wigan pie man"does the higher tackle count not contribute to his getting penalised more in the tackles? would like to see his tackle count/penalty ratio and compare it to other players.'" Farrell is 19th in the tackles made. www.superleague.co.uk/stats

Could this not be his inexperience with the wrestling tactics brought in by Madge, which seamed to be see what you can get away with by holding the tackled player down as long as you can.
The penalties he gives away are not from dirty tactics but from around the tackle and something that could be sorted with a bit of advice from more senior forwards, who I must admit are a bit thin on the ground.

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"Farrell is 19th in the tackles made. www.superleague.co.uk/stats'" cheers for that, i now have a headache trying to do the maths another thing ive noticed......also 15th in metres made. not a bad effort also notices Sam's 11th in the errrors made chart

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"Farrell is 19th in the tackles made. www.superleague.co.uk/stats'" cheers for that, i now have a headache trying to do the maths another thing ive noticed......also 15th in metres made. not a bad effort also notices Sam's 11th in the errrors made chart

He's having a fantastic year and a starting spot has come at just the right time imo. He played as a bench player 95% of the time in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and after making a huge contribution in his first season I thought his impact was going a little stale and this starting spot has really sparked him up again. He's never had a real bad trot for Wigan by any stretch but he didn't really progress as I hoped and I'm sure that was due to a lack of minutes. He's now playing with added responsibility and he's come on leaps and bounds. One thing I've been impressed with is that he seems to have added a physical side to his game and is playing with much more aggression which is an area he's needed to work on.

As for the question of him or Hock? It's tough because they're so different. One thing is for sure they'd be immense in the same side with Faz starting and Hock causing havoc from the bench but that ship has sailed and i'm more then happy to see Faz playing as he is. He's made the loss of Hock that much easier to take.

Gotta say. Faz and hansen together sounds a damn fine prospect. Not the x factor of hock but two second rowers who get through the work will be excellent for the pack and the halfbacks.

The good thing about both Faz and Hansen is that as good as they are defending they also know where the try line is and they'll get over for a few(especially Farrell).

We've lost something in Hock but have gained in other areas via Faz. That can't be said for most of our other losses.

Which is why you're not a coach. Try getting on a plane to Sidney with them both and see which one the Aussies take off your hands. No disrespect to faz of course.

This. As good as Farrell is I can't imagine an opposition coach picking him out as a main strike weapon and I don't think opposition players are particularly fearful of him. Hock is a game breaker. yes he does stupid things, on and off the field, but he'll get you a lot more points than he'll concede.

I'd have Hock all day. Take the Huddersfield game. Hock would have found a way to get us over the line at the end there

I think so. Faz is actually doing quite well on attack in that he is offering some very good support play and running some good lines but I don't think he has the strength of Hock to break the line. So if he isn't in space he won't be able to create any for himself like Hock might.

If Hock had Faz's (or H's) brains he'd be up there with Hanley in my opinion but he just lacks that cleverness about his play. Faz on the other hand is a smart player but just doesn't have the impact.

In that case, name the close games where Hock has played a match winning role.

Or he would have found a way to continually lose the ball with daft offloads or stupid kicks as well as found a way to conceed stupid penalties and get himself sin binned when things didnt go his own way.

2 very different players even though they play the same position very difficult to compare.

Great teams are about balance and the strike and aggression Hock gave along with the work ethic and brains Faz has would complement a second row partnership. Faz and H starting with Hock off the bench as impact would be a fearsome combination.

Id have Hock+Faz or Hock+H but H+Faz is a lesser combination due to the similarity.
With the loss of Hock we lose a strike forward, which we have no cover for.
We have less balance now that we have lost Hock.

Really?

Hock may have caused enough damage in the earlier stages of the game to have us in a position to already be leading but he's not a player I'd trust to guide us over the line in a close game. When games are tense and people are losing their heads you need a cool hand not a hot headed, frantic player who would try and force every ball.

Class player but he's a total 50/50 shot when it comes to making match winning contributions. I find it very difficult to think of too many occasions he's won us a tight game.

I appreciate and acknowledge that Liam Farrell is doing well for Wigan after four games from a defensive stand point. But anybody who would have him over Hock is surely on a wind up.

From a defensive stand point!

Must have missed his 3 try's in 4 games, assists, tackle busts, metres made etc.

He may be no Hock in terms of scattering defenders and putting fear in the opposition but he does some things much better then Hock can. Not saying he's a better player by any stretch just a different and very good one.

Another 36 tackles yesterday at Cas with none missed again. Also our top metre maker. www.superleague.co.uk/match_report/8792

Another 36 tackles yesterday at Cas with none missed again. Also our top metre maker. www.superleague.co.uk/match_report/8792

And Hock made 155m off 20 carries against Hull but also missed 1 of 19 tackles, made 3 errors and had 5 penalties.

Pretty much sums up what you'll get from Hock.