You keep banging on about the comparison between Riddell and Diskin, but I just don't get it.

I don't give a toss what Diskin does, I want Riddell to earn his keep, which he clearly isn't up to now.

Jack can you read?

I compared him at first with the other three hookers on Friday (two of whom Wigan have released), in which he came out o.k. probably top.

Then someone else posted that he didn't compare well with the two at St.Helens or the two at Leeds. I merely pointed out that his stats were as good if not better than Diskins.

Noble. I claim my £5.
Even Mathers has improved. Great tackle on Tomkins probably won them the match.

top post. 100% agree especially about hopin for more creativity from piggy

True, but he must improve his disipline (although he's not alone in that).

Yeah he does, but being aggresive makes him the player is ala Terry Newton.

Like Terry he does need to curve that aggression.

Just think.
We could have signed Buderus or Berrigan.

Then there could be REAL cause for complaint.

I think you play your Hookers the wrong way around Riddell should be your starting hooker and 1 trick mack should be an impact hooker when defences are tired apart from that the rest of your pack bar hock is rank ! and without a dominant pack your on a looser

welcome to last year


both higham and mcilorum have been used as impact hookers and i'm not sure it works.

One win and we are getting advice from Wire



In all seriousness i pretty much agree with you bar you've missed O'Loughlin off our good players in the pack list who's exceptional at the moment.

We need to rid of Riddell at the end of the year, pay him off or whatever.

Starting hooker McIlorum as we now know what he can do, quality player.
Tommy off the bench for impact.
S Tomkins at 6
New quality 7 to partner Sam, on a 3 year contract.
Lockers at 13

That should be the core/spine of our squad for at least 3 years. The continuation of a core squad is the key to success. Look at Leeds & Saints.

Leeds: Diskin/Buderus(lately), Burrow, McGuire, Sinfield
Saints: Cunningham/Roby, Long, Pryce, Flannery(Used to be Sculthorpe until last season)

When was the last time we had the same half backs, 9 & 13 for more than 4 years? You need the spine of the team, that and a good full back.

Think Fielden would be a priority there.

Move Tomkins to Fullback. He can play a Billy Slater, Brett Stewart Karmichael Hunt role far more there.

Had a few drinks have we?



Tomkins at FB? Never.

I've been converted by Last Son of Wigan.

Why not exactly? Modern full backs are some of the most creative players in the game.

S Tomkins is a creator and oppurtunist, he'd be wasted at FB. Wouldn't get the ball enough to do much.

Plus, it would mean getting 2 new halves and going through the whole "building a team" process again.

Tomkins has played FB in the Reserves IIRC, and he's filled in a few minutes for First Team this season.

Look at their comparable stats this season, and why would you pick McIlorum first.
I like Micky Mac but hes conceding far to many penalties and missing far too many tackles at the moment. His time will come.

Just look.
[urlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics_player.php?season=2009&stat=missed_tackles&hs1=2009&hp1=2385&hs2=2009&hp2=2075[/url

If you "pay up" a player it still counts on your salary cap.
How do you then replace him?

A fullback can get the ball as much as he wants. Look at Brisbane and Queensland when Lockyer played fullback. He played a dual role as stand off and fullback. A most dangerous element to contend with. Also, Newcastle play Kurt Gidley in a similar role.

Can we not fire him? And then pay his MIsses?

McIlorum is on far less money for a start. Plus he's played 5 games less than Riddell on the stats.

McIlorum gives 100% effort each minute on the pitch - Riddell doesn't even look interested at times.

McIlorum hits hard every tackle, yes he may miss a few but not without making decent impact. Riddell does a lot of 2nd man tackling.

McIlorum is younger and a better prospect, Riddell is enjoying a nice pay-off.

There we go then!

Because reserve level is good enough for SL. Look at Pryce, creating and scoring tries yet when he's played in SL he is naff. Same with Goulding.

i think mark riddell has spit the dummy.

I think Paramatta would take Riddell back. Sterling and Price where on the footy show the other week saying they wouldnt have let him or Smith go if they where in charge, now they are in charge of the franchise, I say we try to strike up a deal so we can let the fat git go. I would borrow the trailer from the local livestock farm and drive him to the airport.