Probably because he's no good.

I was just about to post along these lines (i was eating a sandwich though!)

People have soon forgotton but in the two years prior to this Feka was our standout Prop by some distance. Now that Coley and Fielden are (rightly) getting the plaudits, Feka has been left out in the cold.

We all know he did a massive amount of work in the off season to shed the weight and deserves some game time. When he has played this year i really think he has some good stints, but he is getting less than 10 minutes a half somtimes.

He has probably only played the equivalant of 2-3 matches this season (if you add the minutes up) so that is hardly a fair crack of the whip.

I would be gutted to see Feka lining up against us for some other SL outfit, beacause he has been a true clubman in his time here.

MM leaving him on the Bench for the leeds game was pretty poor IMO, when Tuson never got off the bench.

Saying all this though MM's start is pretty much beyond approach at the momment and we as a team are doing very well.

I just wish that the big man could play more of a part of it all.

Ps It was a really good sandwich

Thing is though, under MM+SW I really don't think you can play and perform well including training + reserves and not be getting your chances - playing well involves acheiving the targets set for you by the coach, not the fanbase. Or does anybody actually beleive one player is getting treated differently to the rest?

Clearly it depends on you judge and view a prop, because he certainly wasn't my stand out prop over the past 2 years.

I really hope he doesn't leave because there is loads of talent in him, Maguire just needs to figure the best way to work with him rather than leaving him on the scrapheap just because he has a different style to your average prop.

Feka has been told he wont be offered a new contract.

Without being over critical of Madge’s way of doing things I'd actually have to say yes to a degree.

You can’t doubt Feka’s commitment and the proof of it shows with the weight he’s lost BUT he’s still never going to be the type of player Madge likes and it would take a complete transformation of his game style for him to be factored into Madge’s long term plans.

Feka is working his socks off but everyone else seems to be as well and unfortunately for him Madge will always pick another style of player when he has the option.

Thing is though, our judgements are always made without the benefit of working with player day in day out, knowing what's been asked, how he has stacked up, and what the discussions have been.

There's always 2 sides to every story, and we miss a very big part of what's going on when we say a player should/shouldn't be getting game time.

I'd love to have seen Feka kick on like some of the other players have, he's a really great guy, but it increasingly looks like for whatever reason, a parting of the ways is inevitable and in the best interests of both club and player.

I would think he will end up reunited with Noble wherever he ends up next year.
As far as i can see he has done his best to get in MM good books but he does not want to play him. I wish the lad lots of luck wherever he ends up he is a good impact player and has always shown pride in the shirt unlike some.

We obviously don't know why he isn't getting played and whether or not he is hitting targets but I really think it would be in the interests of both club and player of he could be turned into an integral part of the first team which he does not seem to be at the moment.

He was a much better when he came than he was last season so he went downhill over Nobles time here. I think another one season contract would be fair for him to see if he could kick on because I don't think it possible to turn his game around as quickly as some other players.

There is another thing to consider - the entertainment factor. Like it or not while Madge may be viewing this with totally objectively the paying spectators simply don't. [uThere will be A LOT of very disappointed people particularly young kids who seem to idolise him if he is let go.[/u

Feka is one of the few players we have to bring on who when he takes to the pitch there is an air of anticipation and excitement that he might be able to do something different. Bringing the likes of Ben Davies on doesn't have the same effect.

Now I am all for the production line we have leading to first team games for the young players but going with three first team props (Fielden, Coley, Prscott) and a young player instead of Feka (with O'Carroll injured) is not IMO working and I think the fans will tire of it when they know the big man is available.

If Feka doesn't play v Wakefield that will be a mistake IMO.

Dave

I guess a lot of it depends on what is actually being asked of a player.

What happens if Feka can’t do some of the stuff he’s being asked to do? Do you discard an obvious talent or do you rework your game plan to fit him in?

I’d take Feka over O’Carroll and Prescott any day of the week although he isn’t as much of a worker as them.

I want to see my props make big yards rather than 60+ tackles a game

If Feka isn't being offered a new contract it maybe that MM & IL have a replacement ready to sign or already done so who will be a better player and cost less.
The squad have been playing without him and that has to be due to MM's game plan and team selection to carry out that plan.
Any incoming prop you would deduce will be one who can fit into MM's plans without a hitch.
MM went with the same squad for this season which has given him time to look at players and what they give him and the team.
Players who fit in with MM's plans will stay, those who do not will go.

And that's all well and good. However, for [ithis[/i season Feca is 1 of 5 props in the squad. With O'Barrell down I sincerely hope we don't see MM repeat his Headingley mistake this weekend.

I thought Feka had a good game against Cas and I'd be very disappointed if he didn't play on Sunday.

Feka is a fans favourite, and while I too would sad to see him leave you could not argue it would not be for the good of the team under MM given his lack of game time.

MM clearly does not appreciate his style of play, and is looking for a different style of Prop to suit his team and the way he wants us to play.

I think we as fans are going to have to get used to seeing some much loved players leave the club, from time to time in the future all for the good of the team.

Its the ruthlessness that will ensure we remain at the top.

I agree, but what would be your selection this weekend?

I don’t see it as ruthlessness more a failure on the coaches part to formulate a plan which uses all of our talent.

I like Madge and I’m happy with what he’s done but like I said earlier it’s on the few negative aspects of his time here.

It's a balance though in a team sport, what if a plan that gets the most out of feka causes a negative in other areas. There isn't always a perfect answer in life, and it's often a case of chosing the least bad option.

Very true but for me what Feka brings to the team far outweighs the negative aspects

That may depend on how many missed tackles he has in a game compared to how many yards he makes on the burst.

I still think he was a key factor in our dismal show against Warrington in last year's CC semi.

I know that's only one game, but it was a very important one, and his poor defence was very noticeable that day.

Having said that, I'm divided on whether we should keep him or not. I'm still pleased when I see him come onto the field. Of course, I'm not having to take in to account how much he is earning and how much the club may want to spend on new recruits.

Feka is one of two Wigan players who I am led to believe are taking up almost 25% of our salary cap. He is going at the end of the season.

I have been on my jollies for a week, so I am a little out of the loop regards injury, but if we are in a similar position to what we were going into the Leeds game Feka has to be on the bench.

From a fans point of view I agree I think he has been treated harshly, but at the end of the day we are on the outside looking in and there must be reasons for this either by a simply clash of styles to what MM likes or other reasons that we will probably never know.

Is the other one a prop aswell by any chance?

just thinking the same, and by all acounts he's going too.

It's hard to know what's going on between Feka and the coach. If it's not simply a falling-out between coach and player - perhaps MM is asking him to do the kind of stint a man with his physical attributes can't possibly deliver in terms of yards/tackles/game time. It might simply be a management decision, i.e. Feka's salary could be used to bring another prop to the club who fits in with what the coach wants. Perhaps it's simply what a lot of people have said in his time at the club - he's a luxury we can't afford with a relatively young pack.

I know at least one poster has suggested MM should be more flexible to include Feka in his plans, but that all depends on whether he brings more positives than negatives to the team as a whole. The jury's out on that one for me.

Whilst I'd be sad to see him go, I wouldn't be that surprised - how disappointed I am depends on who we can bring in instead.

Having said all that, when he crashed over the line at KR on Good Friday, he did give me my favorite moment of the season so far... I just wished he'd done it more often.