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

I think this seasons team is starting to pick itself.

Richards impressed (apart from a couple of errors) last night and took the ball up strongly on a number of occasions. Mathers won't get anywhere near the team from now on.


Ainscough and Roberts the wingers


Tomkins if he carries on has more than a fair shout at 6
Smith can play in his preferred 7 slot
TL is a much better 9 than a 7.

come on,name a player who doznt give penalties away in defence anyway when one trick mick is breathing heavily we have another ace up our sleeve,

not scared of jon clarke......

Riddell is two play the balls infront of every one else. He's clearly unfit.

Once he gets some fitness back we will see the difference.

You have to ask, why is he so unfit, along with others 4 games into a new season.

Granted but Mick's penalties have resulted in tries in the last couple of games.

Jon Clarke - I feel the fear coming!

He shouldn't but we will probably see him at some point in the rest of the season

We should stick with yesterdays team only thing i would change is Coley for Mossop or Prescot

I totally agree.
Still early of course but for me, Piggy has been a disaster. Super slow at the ptb and offering nothing at all in attack.

Both these lads would give 100% more than Coley.

Put Wigan back into Wigan.

I agree 100% Coley is just taking up Cap space which could be better used

For me, and ive said this before. Riddell is a clever player. the rest of the team around him. Especially in the middle need to get switched on with him.

He looks for the next play. Smith and Tommy need to get switched on and our back rowers need to watch. He will make the difference once he's fit and the team start to gel.

I hope you are right. As for piggy getting fit, its another wait and see, he's always been too heavy though, its how he got his nickname!

Thought it was because his dad was a police man. However, i believe he's the man we are going to rely on when the team starts to get fitter.

If it was, I don't mind admitting I was wrong!

Im sure ive read it somewhere. He was called little piggy when he was a youngster. Can anyone confirm this is true.