In my lifetime it would look something like this

1. S. Tomkins
2. Robinson
3. Tuigamala
4. Connolly
5. Offiah
6. Paul
7. Edwards
8. Skerrett
9. Newton
10. Cowie
11. Betts
12. Bateman
13. A Farrell

Subs.

14. Carmont
15. O'Connor
16. Quinnell
17. O'Loughlin

These kind of things have been done to death but the point i am making is that we have 4 players in our current side that have the potential to break into my team. French, Hastings, G.Burgess and Smithies, possibly Harry Smith on the early glimpses but that is a long way off. Have we had a side in the last 10 years with as much potential? And why aren't we getting the best out of these players? (with the exception of Smithies who is seemingly self driven)

This is based on players being at their best, not always their wigan form, ie Bowen at NQC

1. Bowen (NQC form)
2. Robinson
3. Renouf (Brisbane form)
4. Tuigamala
5. Offiah
6. Kenny
7. Gregory
8. Shelford
9. Dermot
10. Smith
11. Betts
12. Farrell
13. Hanley

1) Sam Tomkins
2) Billy Boston
3) Inga Tuigamala
4) Alan Davies
5) Marin Offiah
6) Brett Kenny
7) Shaun Edwards
8 ) Kelvin Skerrett
9) Martin Dermott
10) Brian McTigue
11) Andy Farrell
12) Dennis Betts
13) Ellery Hanley

14) Dean Bell
15) Craig Smith
16) Terry Newton
17) Sean O'Loughlin

1. Hampson
2. Robinson
3. Bell
4. Connerly
5. Offiah
6. Barrett
7. Gregory
8. Skerrett
9. Newton
10. Platt
11. Betts
12. Farrell
13. Hanley

14. O’Connor
15. Cowie
16. H.Paul
17. Edwards

Sam isn't the best fullback I've seen at Wigan. He's an out and out half. To pick him there above someone like Radlinksi or Hampson is ridiculous.

Edit, and for someone like RG to say he's the best FB he has ever seen

Disagree, and I go back to the days of Jackie Cunliffe, Fred Griffiths, Colin Tyrer, George Fairbairn etc etc. Sam is the most complete fullback I have ever seen at Wigan, certainly the most exciting/entertaining and the one who put most fear into the opposition. Just my opinion of course

Hes the best Ive seen also

Not sure why theres any discussion around him being a FB
Hes played 99% of a 10 year career so far at FB, so hes a FB.

Ball in hand Hampson and Rads were limited, Sam is the best attacking FB I've seen at Wigan
Only cameos from Blake and Robert's come anywhere near close

Sam in his first spell or Roberts pre injury, unplayable at times

World class player but I wouldn't be picking him at 1. The role of fullback has changed over the years and suits him and his attacking abilities but I still prefer a FB to be someone I would put my life on making a tackle or taking a catch and I don't have that with Sam.

For the record my side (around 92 onwards from memory) would be:

Radlinski
Richards
Renouf
Connolly
Offiah
Sam
Edwards
O'Connor
McCormack
Smith
Betts
Hoffman
Farrell

Subs: O'Loughlin, Newton, Cowie, Fielden

Few explanations:

Rads gets in based on what I said above. If someone breaks I have every faith that Rads cuts them in half.

Gene Miles misses out based on the fact I remember little about him playing aside from old videos I've watched, same with Andy Platt and Dean Bell.

McCormack was only here a year but was outstanding.

Cowie gets in pretty much due to the longevity of me seeing him play and Fielden is based on his 06 and 2010 form. Mentions for Skerrett and Pongia.

I was tempted to put Faz at 12 and SOL at 13 which wouldn't be a bad thing really but used SOL as a utility instead.

2010 - 2013 he was unplayable. But I would put Radlinski above him, just.

1. Radlinski
2. Dallas
3. Gleeson
4. Renouf
5. Offiah
6. Barrett
7. Edwards
8. Skerrett
9. Newton
10. O’Connor
11. L Farrell
12. A Farrell
13. Hanley

Bench
S Tomkins
Craig Smith
Betts
Lockers

That was a lot more difficult than I thought it was going to be! Notable absentees include Williams, Clarke, Richards, Pongia, Fielden, Amos, Henry Paul, Lam - I could sit here all day listing players. It goes to show the quality of our teams over the years.

I agree. Sam (for me) is the 2nd best British born Wigan player I've seen play for us in nearly forty years. First being Hanley, never mind full back.

His 2nd spell came back and played a totally different style of game which was successful, could very easily have let it all collapse. His part in Rectumgate prematurely ended his career with us I think, had that not happened (with his brother's subsequent departure) I think we may have fought off any bids for him.

I'd take a 2010-2013 Tomkins over any version of Kris Radlinski

Some interesting selections there.
No place for Bill Ashurst is a bit of a surprise.
I never saw Alan Davies but my older brothers raves about him. I always remember the photo of him after a win drinking a cup of tea as he was a Jehovah’s Witness.

In attack, every day of the week. Defensively, never in a million years.

Same argument going on with Zak and French
Defensively he may have to make 2/3/4 situations in a game
Attacking wise a FB influences virtually EVERYTHING you do ball in hand.
Whilst Zak may have made quite a few great saves last year, weve looked far more dangerous and all round a better team IMO
I am certain at some point French will do something that will make someone say Hardaker would have saved that. But ball in hand he will have created 10x times more problems for the opposition in the meantime

And dont underestimate Sam defensively
He very rarely messed up and cost us games, and when a big tackle was needed or a high ball taking he very rarely let anyone down.

Agree with all of that
ST particularly in 2012 was brilliant and his reading of the game was fantastic.
KR and also George Fairburn were great players but justed lacked that extra bit of pace to make them that little bit special

As a Leeds RL / Rhinos fan I have seen plenty of great Wigan players and sides since I first started watching the game in 1977 and despite having such a strong dislike of the Wigan club due to our strong club rivalries over the years but I also have a healthy respect for the Wigan club.
I have chosen a side that IMO is the best side that I have ever seen play live for Wigan

1- Sam Tomkins
2- Jason Robinson
3- Inga Tuigamala
4-Gary Connolly
5- Martin Offiah
6- Brett Kenny
7-Andy Gregory
8-Kelvin Skerrett
9-Terry Newton
10-Andy Platt
11-Andy Farrell
12-Dennis Betts
13-Ellery Hanley (Captain)

14-Shaun Edwards
15-Gene Miles
16-Terry O'Connor
17-Sean O'Loughlin

The games changed massively and as you know, I haven't

Thanks for your perspective

I do believe it's good sometimes to take other fans views on board (when not trolling obviously).
I know that when I watch other teams theres always players that I think "Frighten" you more than others. Players who always seem to pull something out the bag and players who if they're missing you breathe a sigh of relief.
Theres always the argument about players that may have been brilliant for 6 months (Kenny/Miles for example) compared to players who played significantly longer (Edwards/Bell).

I do think that's an honest appraisal from an opposing fan, and IMO it would difficult to criticise any selection.

The debate for me would be :-

Ferguson, butnto be fair Robinson was as good but was obviously here longer.
Bell/Miles for either of the 2 centres ???
Edward's at half back if you take his longevity and winners record into consideration
Craig Smith for skerret O'Connor
Dermott for Newton

I'm not saying any of them would replace the others definitely, just debate.

I've watched the game since just about the same time as yourself (I was 6 in 77)

My dad raved about Alan Davies, said he was good at Wigan, but even better at Oldham. Dosnt have the same profile at Wigan as say Ashton/Boston etc but by all.accounts he was some player.

My dad was also a massive Dave Bolton fan
After he died i took the family to Oz (not with anything he left me BTW

) and I got the chance to meet him.
That's was some Cruise around the Harbour!
Also had an hour discussion with Steve Roach, a pint with Laurie Daley and sang a karaoke with Benny Elias!!!

That’s what you call a trip
Good lad

Dave Bolton was before my time but again a player who I would have loved to have seen
Alex Murphy I think has Dave Bolton in his 13 off all time

1. Tomkins
2. Robinson
3. Inga
4. Myles
5. Offiah
6. Barrett
7. Lam
8. Platt
9. Newton
10. Farrell
11. Furner
12. Hanley
13. Locky

Hi Jonh
What Year are you working from as your criteria? I.e. When did you start watching?
Obviously the thing that stands out there is Lam over Gregory or Edwards (Whilst I was a big fan of Lam I wouldn't have included him over either of those)

Barrett over Edwards or Kenny? - I can kind of see that although personally I wouldn't

Furner was a Very good player and does get overlooked from time to time in these discussions, but Betts from 89 to 95 was just awesome. Goodway as well often gets overlooked and he was Very good for us from 85/86 through to 90
Farrell to 10 I can see and is a good way of getting Lockers in there, but we all know he's a back rower however Hanley to 2nd row is a non starter







I think we just have to accept that picking players in their true positions means we leave International/World class players out
Big Rads fan - But he misses out to Sam
Big Ferguson fan - But he misses out to Robinson
Dean bell - Wow - What a competitor - But you can't have them all - Connolly/Miles/Inga/Renouf/Iro etc.
Picking 2 halves - You have to leave out 3 of Gregory/Edwards/Lam/Kenny/Barrett for example

I love Lockers - But Hanley plays 13
I Love Farrell - But Hanley Plays 13

Farrell you could shoehorn into 12 as he played a lot of rugby there, but half a dozen games at prop doesn't warrant consideration for me.

1/ Sam Tomkins
2/ Jason Robinson
3/ Dean bell
4/ Gene Miles
5/ Martin Offiah
6/ Kenny
7/ Gregory
8/ Craig Smith
9/ Newton
10/ Platt
11/ Betts
12/ Farrell
13/ Hanley

If were having subs then :-

Edwards
Skerrett
Lockers
Barrett

In my lifetime:-
1)-Joe Lydon
2)-John Ferguson
3)-Dean Bell
4)-Gene Miles
5)-Martin Offiah
6)-Brett Kenny
7)-Shaun Edwards


-Kelvin Skerrett
9)-Thomas Leuluai
10)-Andy Platt
11)-Denis Betts
12)-Andy Farrell
13)-Ellery Hanley

I thought hard about David Bolton, but went for Brett Kenny, funnily enough after having a conversation whilst on the Aussie World Cup tour of 2008. I was sat with someone you may have heard of a man called Billy Boston and asked what he thought about Bolton and Kenny. His answer, "I loved playing with David, but Kenny is the BEST I have ever seen"

I should however have included Bill Ashurst probably in front of Betts or Craig Smith.