I would retain him.

Good utility player.

Smith, Carmont and Bailey but Bailey can apply for Federation status as he was here before the rules came in. So at the moment he counts as none federation trained until his current deal expires then he can become none federation trained.

Richards is classed as none federation trained as well I think as he signed a new deal before this concession came in.

So our none federation trained players are Feka, Richards, Smith, Carmont, Phelps, Bailey, Roberts and Riddell - 8 players.

We expect Smith and Bailey to leave and regardless of Bailey's potential change of status if he stayed, that still leaves us with 6 none federation trained players.

So if we sign two Aussies/Kiwi's as IL has said we are after doing then we need to lose two of that six and with Carmont and Phelps OOC then it's got to be them.

Dave

I think phelps is someone showing some enthusiasm and passion in playing for the team and trying very hard to improve in the fb position, esp now learning from radlinski - this has got to be a good thing. He should get some praise for this because we want people to be enthusiastic about playing for wigan and have some pride in the shirt.

Phelps new contract?

Yes- shows enthusiasm, looks more dangerous than anyone else we try at fullback, probably cheap.


No-takes an overseas spot, could we do better? stops Ainscough or Veivers getting a game.

Contract talks at this point in the season are not going to take place, it will all depend on a range of things

SL finishing spot
CC

T. Smith the sooner the better in my opinion, can not stand him on and off the field.

Carmont, to gain a new deal, will have to show them injuries aren't a constant thing with him these days.

Bailey, I'd like to see get another 12months, always a great defence, no matter what others say, and his involvement with the squad his great, well settled in.

Phelps - I thought with him recieving the 1 on 1 off Rads, that had won his place for next year and he's resign, but I still thing he'll be on a Virgin flight back to Oz in the winter!

id love a team full of players who play with the commitment like phelpsy- a shoe in for a new contract IMO

Its ironic people want players to show passion and pride, Phelps does, they want him gone.

I think Phelps suffered in terms of fans opinions of his value to the squad due to him initially being used and described by the club as a utility player as changing your role constantly doesn't help you to find your feet.
Since starting to feature at full back he has shown so much promise that he has been kept largely to one role and so has been able to improve which he has done rapidly. I for one would like to see him resign for at least next year but not simply for his standard of performance. The lad has a fantastic attitude and will to succeed, he accepts areas where he needs improvement and seeks out knowledge and training to do so and he doesn't just talk up what he wants to do in the press and then show nothing on the pitch. He has taken the chance to instill himself in a position where there is competition from at least two other first choice players and to make himself in many people's opinions the best we have in that position.

It isn't up to us fans who stays or doesn't of course but I would be very disappointed if Phelps was let go simply because of his nationality. He has earned a place for next year where many of the squad have failed to justify theirs. If the all of the overseas signings we have made in the last few seasons shared Phelps' attitude (I accept that some do but a lot haven't) and desire to improve there would be a lot less people moaning about the number of them in our squad.

Is that enough though. Perhaps in the current band, but if we want to get where we should be as a club we must also recruit on ability. In relation to some of the players Phelps excells in pride and passion, BUT players with the ability of Phelps will not put us back in a silverware winning category consistantly. 1 year at the most if we cannot recruit real quality, as the quota drops after next year he will be gone without doubt if retained.

Potentially he wont be here for years with the quota coming down, but one of the few players to impress this year.

Deserves another year without doubt.

We have so many other issues in the team, this obsession people have with the fullback position is baffling.

I agree but some of those may well need to be sorted by using Smiths quota spot and wage. It is not about the fullback spot for me, it is more about those other positions, but his contract and race count against him if we can bring real quality into other areas od the squad.

I accept that, but I see no evidence that we have real quality set to join us. I fully expect due to the quota rules, Phelps wont be here more than another 2 seasons.

That being said, he is the best fullback and the club and deserves to stay as long as possible due to his desire and pride in the jersey. Contrast that with Riddell/Fielden and I know who I would pick.

sadly though its not as simple as that. contracts must be honoured.

I know, but you understand the point I was making.

I agree but if we recruit two none federation trained players whether quality or not he will have to go. Same with Carmont.

If you want a quality prop and half back recruited, you can't keep Phelps as well.

What do people want most? To address the issues that most see as need addressing or reward an enthusiastic player? That is what it boils down to.

Dave

Yes but, its not really valid if the quality is available and contracts are honoured, sad but true.

Regarding Phelps he does give his all but that not enough for me, IF the quality is available. Were he at Salford or Celtic, Wigan fans would not praise him.

If we could sign Matt Orford & Dave Kidwell, then yeah, fine, Phelps will need to go, but if we are going for players at Darryl Griffin/Paul Johnson level then I will take Phelps everytime.

Phelps, what an absolute quality improvement he has made to our back line.

Yeah okay, we still conceding too many points for my liking, but I feel a hell of a lot safer with him at FB than anyone else in our team, including Pat.

Now we just need to tighten up the defensive line in front of him

Outshined Briscoe for me yday, and i know a lot of people would like him back.

Bottom line though is that if we can get a SH and PROP to come over from aus phelps will have to go.

He has to stay imo. He is safe as houses at the back and runs it out well. He gives it his all and we have bigger fish to fry then getting a new fullback in.

Long term we may look elsewhere but for next year he should be our number 1.

If Karl Pryce can get a contract, and Phelps doesn't, then the world has gone mad...

Phelps is looking decent in a poor team. Never proven to be save under a high ball that is being contested. Doesn't do anything outstanding, just looks half decent in that position.

If we ever wanna compete we need to let him go and bring in a better FB.

Although in an ideal world we would let Phelps go and bring in a top FB - such as who? Not a lot of top class full backs are available at present.

Given that we also need a top prop, a top class half-back quite possibly a second row (assuming we lose both Hock and Bailey or do we run youngsters??)

The salary cap will only go so far, even with the players we lose a prop and half-back would swallow up most of any free space.

We lose Hock, Smith possibly Bailey at the end of this season - would that be enough to sign a prop, half-back and full back (assuming we don't look for another 2nd row) - persoanlly I am not sure we would get a FB any better as prop and HB are surely the priority.

Look at it this way.
We're gonna be parting ways with-

Smith
Phelps
Coley
Hock
Bailey
Goulding

Thats 5 players. We really don't need another back rower when we have

Mossop
Lockers
J Tomkins
Hansen
Flanny
Farrell

to chose from. Mossop himself will be like a new signing.

The reserve team have had an outstanding season, many of their players deserve a chance in SL, many of these are backrowers.

So out of 6 players going I think we could bring in

Prop (maybe 2)
SH
and a FB.

Thats 3 maybe 4 players coming in for 6.

Pryce is federation trained Phelps isn't.

If Phelps has to leave because IL wants a different set of 6 none federation trained players in the squad then what it means is the new rules are actually doing what they are designed to do, limit the number of overseas players.

It's all about whether Phelps is good enough to be one of our 6 none federation trained players, not how he compares to the federation trained players such as Pryce.

Dave