he said it was a possibility early on, regardless of what he has said recently so who knows.

Massive flaws in his game? Nothing like having to do one of our own junior players down to back up your argument is there!

I am also certainly not getting anything mixed up. I just happen to think you need both skill and experience to inherit a first team half-back slot off Finch or Tommy given we are losing both.



If Powell is considered the junior half back with most ability then unless he gets some experience in 2012 Wane's options are play a completely inexperienced half back and keep Sam at 1 or move Sam to 6 and have a player who has played SL at 1. I think the latter option is better if all we sign as a half back is Smith. At least until the likes of Powell can be given some 1st team game time [iat Wigan [/iplaying to our system. Wane seemingly doesn't think this way which is fine as its obviously his job but that doesn't mean we have to think he has got this one right.

On Saturday whilst on the way back to Calella I told Conroy that Matty Smith and Rangi Chase would be our halfbacks next season, he didn't believe me, I think he may do soon.

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ml&BID=480 £350,000

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ml&BID=480 £350,000

Ahh so I'm not allowed to say anything negative about a Wigan player? No opinions allowed whatsoever unless it's positive? You think I'm deliberately criticising Russell purely to prove a point to you? How arrogant is that?

Just watch Russell play! His ability under the high ball is very poor right now and has been for a while, his positioning still isn't good enough for the highest level although one positive is that he does seem fairly strong when making a one on one tackle considering his size.

In attack he's brilliant with ball in hand and has some of the best footwork I've seen from a young player, but when he needs to pass the ball he struggles. It doesn't look like it comes naturally to him which is perhaps understandable for someone who pretty much just danced through defences at academy level.
When joining the attacking line his timing is still off as is his positional sense with when and where to join in.

If you're a fullback who gets nowhere near the ball when the opposition kick high I'd say that's a pretty massive flaw wouldn't you? Certainly if someone is expecting him to be first choice fullback for a team expected to be among the best in the league yet again next season.

Russell is only 19, he's got plenty of time to work on his game and continue to improve but from what I've seen of him so far he's definitely not at the level yet where he can fit into a top side and do well week in week out.

If he starts to show some improvement in his game I may well change my mind. If he starts looking much more confident and composed at Super League level I almost certainly will change my mind but right now I haven't seen anything to convince me that he's got enough about him to be thrown right in at fullback, effectively replacing Tomkins, and make a success of it.

He's got the potential to be a top class player, but not every potential top class player is going to be good enough at the age of 19. Some players take longer to mature as players and even out the weaknesses in their game. I think Russell is still at least a year off being a first team player at least.

As for the last bit, I agree that if Wane is going to rely on Powell next year then he will have to get some first team games this year otherwise it's a big risk and one that's probably asking too much of a young player. Of course Wane might want Mellor to stay at Wigan in which case he'd probably be the most likely player to be used at 6 if we don't sign another halfback.

Have Wigan got £350K in the kitty? Or is coming straight out of Lenegan's back pocket? Either way it's a huge amount of money to pay for a player who has so much still to prove. Give them £150K for Daryl Clark and I'll be happy.

Tweeted off the Wigan observer reporter :

@PhilWilkWIG Wane has ruled out switching Tomkins to No.6 when Finch leaves. Plus: Sam expects boos from England fans again - see this week's Observer

Not sure I follow your argument. By definition, any player on debut is inexperienced, so that's an argument against ever bringing anyone in from the Academy.

We've still got the reported £250K from Joels move to Saracens.

Why would we pay 350k when we've got so much excess talent on our books. That we could use as collateral or make weights?

Maybe its time to look through the squad and think who realistically will make it at Wigan.

We all know the time is coming very soon when players will have to move on from Wigan in order for them to get more first team football.

Its the nature of the beast for a successful team working under a salary cap.

Why keep a player till his contract runs out then just let him leave on a free?

Might as well make something back on the investment we've put in right.

I'd personally try it with one of our 2nd rows.

Rejected something similar from Warrington already.

Still think Matty Smith is a good option - Rangi Chase would never be a good player for Wigan - he plays to his own agenda - watch him he is selfish, runs laterally and overcooks the play - his own teammates haven't got a clue what he is doing hence why Cas are sitting at the lower end of the table - oh and Millward doesn't help - sorry Basil but Cas's tactics are poor !!! If Finch does go to Storm maybe Widdop would consider Wigan - who would turn down the opportunity to play for 'simply the best' - if you can't have the best in Oz why not the best here ..............!

Because the rest of the team aren't good enough to do anything...and if he's selfish why does he lead the league in assists....by some margin?



His team mates aren't good enough to know what he's doing, stick him in the Wigan team and in half a season you'll be calling him the best player in the world (alongside Tomkins

)



Can't argue with that!

Come off it Geoff. You have been around long enough not to take things so out of context. The point I was making was keeping Sam at 1 means going for a player with less experience than Russell and handing a key first team half back position to a young player with zero first team experience.. I am sure[i you [/idon't think that is a good idea.

You can have Matty Russell back now !!

Very elusive, strong & willing runner - a bit Jason Robinson but thats it.

Fullback ?? Never - won't even go near the high ball now much less catch it, positioning dire - where was he when Hodgson scored from 60 metres at the Etihad ?? Flippin nowhere.

Can't pass very well either.

Hardly electric, hasn't scored at Hull in 4 games.

But for injuries to Horne, Sharp & martin wouldn't be in the team.

Hope he makes it but it won't be at full back, not anytime soon.

He is 18 years old and played a handful of games in Super League. Hull FC would only dream of producing someone with as much potential as this kid.

Yeah why can't they produce a player like that.

All they've ever produced is Tom Briscoe.......

Chase will be at Wigan next season (at least once!)

19 years of age and according to this should be on the scrap heap already!

Exactly one player during their time in Super League, shocking!

Hence why he's out on loan.

Where has this been said exactly?