So who was he better than then?

He didn't drop a ball, only because he bloody didn't go for any.

Send him to Leigh.

I know, but since his first game in cherry and white he has shown no signs of consistant improvement. Through out last year he was generally very poor yet the majority of supporters and coach were willing to give him a chance. After a full pre-season, three friendly games and one Super League there is STILL no sign improvement since his very first game for the club and it's fustrating to see, he simply can't continue to be selected.

Even though I've heavily criticised him, you'll also see a few posts of mine in this thread sympathizing with Mathers. Yes, he is enthusiastic and he shows no lack of effort but it simply isn't enough to warrent a place within the squad. The supporters reactions are understandable as they don't like to see a poor performance from a key position, but that's Brian Noble's fault as it's his decision to keep selecting him.

Josh Vievers could have done better.

Nobody

1. Roberts
2. Coley
3. Riddell

Coley a close 2nd. Roberts did okay

Roberts caught a ball that wasn't kicked directly at him.
Coley ran at the defence once.
Riddel made some decent passes and also tackled a few, even on his own



Mathers is a liability, sorry mate - why are you defending him so much? He's cack

Coley, Mathers, Phelps and Riddell were all extremely disapointing

I know i just like sticking up for players who are getting a lot of stick

1 - Roberts did okay for a debut in a new team and his first game for 4 months. He wasn't good but he wasn't bad. The only time he was out of position was when he and Phelps were both left cruelly exposed by a combination of our poor defence and the time that Drew/Obst were allowed. He certainly wasn't afraid to attack the ball.

2 - A close 2nd to Mathers IMO. Not driving in as hard as he could do and a couple of daft errors but he tackled well at least.

3 - You're joking? His first stint was just about the most organised I've seen us at dummy half for a long while. However, he clearly isn't fit enough.

www.wiganrl.com/news_full.asp?newsid=4502 How is triping only category c?!?! Lets hope its the full 4 matches though

www.wiganrl.com/news_full.asp?newsid=4502 How is triping only category c?!?! Lets hope its the full 4 matches though

no, the only way he should miss the hull game is if he cop's a ban (which i don't think he will get cause he plays for wigan)

Im pretty damn sure Mathers and Hock both got bans last year

Mathers will not be playing on Friday - whether be it by ban or by being dropped.

I hope this is true..

Paat to fullback or Famous Amos?

It is as far as I know. Should be interesting to see who they'll put at the back. Possibly since Amos has only had one game and we've always been comfortable with Pat at the back?

I would be amazed if it was Amos - given he has only just come back from injury and played 1 game for the team he is far better on the wing for now - give him chance to get match fit and used to the team.

Pat to FB is a must and a no-brainer.

In fairness, Roberts and Riddell had probably never played in such freezing conditions before in their lives. Give them a chance to settle.

Phelps and Tim Smith were also awfully poor, as was the skipper, and no one in the side played well.

Coley was at fault dropping a ball when charging out of his own 20 (immediately being replaced) and for his stupid decision to go for the try on a tap-penalty on their line, wasting six tackles. But he was having a go.

Mathers just lacks 'bottle' to me. It made me laugh when he started pushing Wakefield players after he'd been sin-binned...

He won't go for anything like a 50-50 ball (evidence when a chip-kicked bounced between him and an onrushing player and he 'ducked', Wigan being lucky that a try didn't result).

When you think back to the likes of Radlinski, Connolly, Hampson, Lydon, Edwards, Fairbairn, Tyrer, Ashby, Griffiths, Bolton, Martin Ryan ...and now this fellow is wearing the no 1 jersey !

He makes 'Doc' Murray look world-class !!!

I absolutely agree - possibly Amos could be an option in the future but certainly not now for me.

Stay at home and save your money, pal. You don't have a clue what you are watching.

I don't think Colin Tyrer was the bravest fullback I have ever seen either, but he was quick and could kick goals.

When Eric Ashton was challenged about Tyrers defensive displays, he said there are twelve of us in front of him who should be making those tackles.

Didn't he play at Wembley with a broken jaw Edwards-style?

you forgot about Briscoe who's nose is as bent as Bill Clintons knob

But it's not doing him any good being constantly placed in the firing line when he's clearly not up to it.

He needs significant time in the reserves to rebuild his game.

No, Keith Hepworth the Castleford scrum half cleaned him out with the most despicable off the ball tackle I have ever seen. Tyrer had to leave the field with a badly broken jaw and Wigan lost their most potent attacking force (he had broke the try scoring record for a fullback) and goalkicker.

Bill Francis took over the goalkicking and missed (2 or three) easy penalties. Why Bill Ashurst didn't take over the goalkicking remains a mystery.

Wigan lost 7 -2.

Hepworth conveniently avoided Wigan games for about three years, until Tyrer "caught up with him" at Leeds.