Never seen such a slow no9 , he takes forever to pick up the ball and distribute it to the runners...seems like big mistake signing him , we played a lot better when Leuleui went into dummy half

I actually thought that Riddell had a better game tonight than in previous weeks, however I do agree that Leululai added an extra dimension to our game when he went to hooker and we looked far more dangerous.
.

agree, give Riddell another couple of weeks to get fitter and I think he will do a good job. With Tomkins doing what he did, it gives us another option.

Couldn't agree more

i have seen him play more that a few times in the NRL, he seemed then to have a lot more urgency in his game. i hate to jump on the fat lad bandwagon but he is defo carrying to much around his midrift. hopefully with a few more games under his belt he will gain match fitness.....mind you if he had got himself in-shape during the off season perhaps his transition into SL may have been smoother. who knows

Bloody hell he must have been Bad then



Every time somebody else stepped into the PTB they were quicker than him , also he doesn't like keeping up with play either does he

Another Matt King methinks

Jesus 4 games in which he has shown improvement today and you think he's another King!

For a start he won't be on anyway near as much money

He didn't come over with the reputation King did

Finally at least give the guy a reasonable amount of games to prove himself

He's not match-fit yet. Get a few more games under his belt and I'm sure we'll see Piggy come good. In the NRL he was a good controlling hooker. Fantastic distribution, and a good role model 'on the pitch' for Macca.

I thought Piggy played OK personally, much improved. Made some good ground out of dummy half, decent distribution and increased game time. With more time, I've no doubt he'll go well for Wigan.

Certainly anyone wanting Micky Higham back in his place simply does not know their rugby.

I have not been impressed by Riddell, or Roberts. But i think the boys just need game time. They came over here late for one reason or another from Oz so didn't get up too speed with the training. Was more impressed by Roberts tonight than Riddell. Jury still out.

jesus sounds like theres only you who knows nowt about their rugby. proven super league hooker or overpaid aussie never been ??????..... you decide. probably why you have never had much of an idea about rugby eh ????

He's got explosive pace - BN

Riddell hasnt done anything all season, he should prove himself in the reserves, when he played for Parramatta I thought he was a lazy player and knew the Wigan fans mwould pick up on this asap. McIllorum against Cas was great, he should start at hooker with Riddell in the reserves to prove his worth and fitness. Against Bratburt we want McIllrorum starting 9 with Leuluai coming into 9 when Tomkins comes on.

6- Smith
7- Leulai
9- McIllorum

14- S.Tomkins

Riddell had his best game in a Wigan shirt tonight which isn't saying much but it's an improvment i suppose. Every new player needs time to settle and as ever i use Pat Richards as an example of how a new overseas player needs time and shouldn't be written off too soon.

As for Leuluai i said during the week that he could become one of the very best hookers in the game if he moves there on a regular basis and in his spell tonight he did nothing to change my mind. He's so bright out of dummy half and constantly gets you on the front foot and puts big pressure on the defending team.

We have Bratfurt next week,

6- Tomkins
7- Smith

9- McIllorum

14- Leuluai

Riddell can whistle because I want Wigan lads playing, simple as! A lad from Wigan will put more heart and passion into their game than an Aussie regardles of how good they are!!!!!!

People like Riddell because he puts his hand up before he kicks, I couldnt give a monkeys if he got a ball and three cups and did magic tricks before he kicked a goal, end of the day we want lads who will put themselves on the line for the cause, Riddell aint done rack all, he plodding along earning his wage, McIllorum ripped Cas to pieces with his scoots, next week Riddell to reserves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

Leuluai has to start the game somewhere because imo he's now our best player.

Smith would be the man to miss out for me before Riddell.

I can't disagree but also feel that Richards looks better each time he is at full back , i don't think he ever stops learning , it must be is down to good attitude .

Richards is a superb player with a superb attitude as you say and i've said for a while now that i see him getting to a very high level at fullback if he is given a long run in the position. I think he'll add support play to his game and start to score regulary from there.

Other then that element of support play he's very good already. His tackle on the Quins player who broke the line in the first half was superb. He lined him up ala Rads and took him down with minimum fuss.

Top player.

Rads in attitude ? I HOPE.

And what a very poor example it is. Pat Richards was played out of position at centre and only improved when he went to play on the wing. That had as much to do with it as anything IMO.

But that is not the point. The REAL point is that [uexperienced[/u NRL players should NOT need time to settle in as far as their own game goes. They should be up to speed with that from the off. They may not be on the same wavelength as their team mates for a few games but their own individual skiils, general play and fitness ought to be apparent from day one (unless injured).

I can't comment on Riddell in the Quins game as I am here in the USA so I am making a general point. I don't think experienced NRL players should be excused when (apparently) players like S Tomkins have great a debut as Ainscough did (which I did see). If these two junior players can hit the ground running what excuse do vastly more experienced players have for not doing so? None I would say.

Dave

Iwould still have one trick mick,
over slow

off the mark,mark anyday..

And here's why you're wrong:

One trick Mick gives away penalties in defence and terrible passes in attack. PLUS you have him for 80mins.

Piggy's trotting back to the line is to slow to be counted in defence and he's not at the PTB so our better players can get crisp passes away. PLUS we can interchange him

Agree with all of that

I've always said Tommy's best position is hooker

Smith shouldn't be anywhere near a Wigan shirt after Sam Tomkins performance last night