Because the OP is one of many posts after last night bemoaning things that aren't issues in the short term. We have a cracking side when everyone plays but our best players are being rested. People don't seem to take that in to consideration though when bagging all the other players.

Lockers and Tomkins do indeed make the lads around them look better I suppose but the same can be said of Sinfield and Peacock at Leeds for example.

The point I'm trying to make is all this whining and moaning after last night (including this thread) is ridiculous in relation to this years prospects, they're still very good IMO but if people want to start a hundred thread panicking about next years chances I could understand it.

Hope that clears it up for you!

Why pick him as captain when he takes him off after 20 mins

After Piggy left and wasn't replaced by a marquee hooker there was much angst about Micky Mac not being ready and how someone else was needed. MM has stepped up to the mark, shown quality, shown he learned from piggy and has developed into a quality 9.
Agree he is prone to the odd moment of ill discipline but can't question his commitment or his place in the team.

McIlorum is one of our best players, we just need a decent stand in to come on when he needs a rest. Logan is not good enough.

FWIW I think Hansen wouldve been a better candidate for Captain last night, Mickey Mac is too much of a hot head to be captain.

Micky Mac is one of the first names on the team sheet and quite rightly so. When he goes off its noticeable in attack and defence. I'd play him for the full 80 in all the big games. People moaning about his discipline need to understand that you need aggressive horrible b4stards in your pack who play on the edge. I'd say our pack on the whole lacks this and is too nice, Micky provides a bit of fear factor that you need.

Give over, you are basically saying you can't be a good hooker without having ill discipline, which is . And to say anyone who "moans" about his discipline just doesn't understand is more .

I'd like to see you play with a busted knee......

He's not ill disciplined though, its a myth. How many yellows/reds has he had this year??? He's an aggressive player, he gets in his opposite numbers face and gets stuck in. I wouldn't swap him for any other hooker in SL personally.

Yes because that's what I said

. Where did I say to be a good hooker you need to have ill discipline? How about read a post properly before replying.

Based purely on the last 2 seasons , Shaun Lunt by plenty .

In your opinion.

If someone criticises him for lashing out at times and you say "yeah but you need horrible b4stards in your pack" then surely you are referring to that which was criticised as being a necessity, a need.

Micky has developed into a good all rounder at 9. With his age no doubt he'll still be improving before he's at his best.

Him as a captain is a different issue, more reflects on the lack of true leaders in our team minus Sam and Lockers.

The problem for me is not Micky but how we suffer when he leaves the pitch, personally I would have gone for a different approach to the interchange I'm not a fan of Logan.

Something like (if Sam and Lockers are to be wrapped in cotton wool)

Charnley (I will keep banging on about trying him as a fb, he's a massive talent, needs to be on the ball as much as poss)
Thornley Goulding Gelling Richards (Big strong backline)
Powell Smith
Taylor Micky Dudson
HH Faz
Flower
-----------------------
Mossop (dropped to the bench, not impressed) Crosby Green (try him as a 9) Tuson

Flower to play in the Gallen 13 role, almost as a 3rd prop to help out the go forward from the pack. Interchange Micky for Green, then we have Green, Powell and Smith as the creation.
A very solid back line to strength up the defence.
Let Charnley attack on both sides of the pitch, he can score from anywhere given half a chance.

McIlorum is a far better player than Logan who I dont really think offers a great deal, certainly no more than numerous hookers knocking about Super League.

My only issue would be that he shouldnt ever be made captain, I think it affects his game and I dont think we really have a captain on the field when he is it as he cant communicate with refs etc. It is like we have no captain at all (if that makes sense).

Logan would benefit from a seasons loan somewhere. He has potential imo, just not fulfilling it at the mo.
We need a interchange hooker along with MM.
Who?
Theres a kid at Wire, about 3rd or 4th choice, and with Clarke linked with Wire, he might be available..go for him, hes also a Wiganer...Brad Dwyer.

I think you do need at least one or two players in your pack like that yes. A pack full of Liam Farrell type players would be no good (not criticising Faz here). There has to be an element of fear when the opposition are running the ball in and I think Micky Mac adds this for us. It is inevitable that from time to time a player of this type will cross the line and give a penalty away/get binned or sent off.

Warrington have Westwood and Morley, Leeds have Bailey and to some extent Peacock. Morley has made a career out of playing on the edge, despite discipline issues he has always been one of the first names on the team sheet for every coach he's played under.

I agree with you, especially the last bit!

Micky Mac is a tough character. I agree with what's been said about needing a fear factor, and it's a shame we don't have any other players (Eric is learning) who give us that. HH, Flower, Faz, Dudson, Crosby and Mossop just all seem too nice. I can imagine the opposition enjoying running at us because they know they won't get hurt.

Agree on your first point but disagree on your second.

McIlorum is one of those players that never goes missing. Other than McIlorum, who was the last decent hooker we brought through? Martin Dermott? Pretty poor for the best youth system is SL in my opinion.

And Hansen's worst games have come when he's been made captain. If he'd only been here for 3 years, captaincy wouldn't even be suggested for him. He's just definitely not a leader.

According to Rogues he's the best hooker in super league and should play for England before Roby.

I actually like MM, I like his rough side (to many pens tho) and like his work ethic but IMHO he's behind Roby, Houghton and Higham for a England spot.

He's way behind Lunt as well IMO. Lunt has 8 times as many tries, 3 times as many assists, more tackles, twice as many metres made, 4 times as many busts. I would put Clarke at Cas significantly better as well. It was apparent when Tommy went off and MM came on that Wigan's threat diminished dramatically. Tommy also showed how you could be terrifying in defence while retaining discipline. Your problem is Tomkins is nowhere near standard.

I would love you to show me where I said that. I think you will find what I said was that Mickey Mac is a very good hooker and would one day play International RL.
Oh and btw Gary Schofield picked him as Englands first choice hooker in his League Express/League Weekly article a couple of weeks back.

Bloody hell, I agree with you but now even I'm doubting it since you said Schofield has him as first choice.

Those fellas aren't playing on one leg. When did we start comparing injured players against players with the top stats? Baffles me how people draw comparisons