I would not say he was poor, he didn't rip it up either. We may need to let him settle a little, which im sure he will once he gets into the way we play. Then he will be fine.

Regarding Bowen we seem to be getting the same reaction off some fans which was the same reaction that Gene Miles got when he came to Wigan about 20 years ago, to be honest for the first half of the season he played he was a shadow of the player his reputation said he was.

The first half of the season Miles played he was either rubbish or he went off, if he stayed on it was said his lacklustre performances was because he was carrying an injury and he was only here for the money. After Christmas the transformation was unbelievable, from being a player who fans distrusted his reasons for coming to Wigan to being one of the finest centres to put on a Wigan shirt.

Cherry mentions Hampshire's performance under the high ball, I don't think Rocky is as bad as Tierney but you still have your heart in your mouth when they are faced with the high ball.
When teammates, coaches and fans are hoping desperately that they catch the ball it is time for a rethink, when an high ball went up against Rad's, Hampson or opposition fullbacks (Whellans for example) fans started looking for what they would do to develop the play when they caught the ball. Even Sam had his moments under the high ball.
I have said it on here in the past that Hampshire has the most natural ability to play standoff that Wigan have produced in years, so do not spoil that talent.

Someone as mentioned on here about Burgess playing fullback and I have been thinking the same myself since seeing him take an high ball at Leigh the other week when he placed himself in the fullback position on a Leigh last tackle. He made that ball his due to his size, height and physical presence, coupled with that he has just as much pace as the other players mentioned in this post.
I am not suggesting what I have said could happen straight away, but Wigan have a young winger in Manfredi who could step into a wing spot if Burgess was moved back.

and then you have matty smith, george williams and sam powell. Unless you drop tomkins and move powell to interchange hooker, i though he was better than tomkins last night in that position.

either way something is eventually going to give.

Hampshire/tierney/Burgess: full back
Charnley/burgess/Manfredi: Wing and it now looks like Thornley will be another
Goulding/Thornley/Gelling/Sarginson:
Matty Smith/ Sam Powell/ George williams/ Ryan Hampshire: Half backs… Assuming green leaves after this season.
McIlorum/Tomkins/ Powell: hooker
Farrell/Clubb/Bateman/hughes/Burke/hopkins: second rows


Eventually these players will all want to be 1st team players.

I am old enough to have seen Gene Miles play for Wigan and he was at the end of his career when he arrived. He was slagged off early on after a slow start but was pure class once he got going. Ask Offiah.

I am not saying I agree we have made a smart move letting Sam go for another player nearing the end of his career but you'd have to be an utter moron to think Bowen is a rubbish player and that Hampshire (talent though he is) is the better bet right now.

Personally (and I know that this will upset a few on here) - I preferred having Bowen at the back to Hampshire.

I accept that Hampshire offered more in attack, but he also made more mistakes.

For me, I prefer a fullback who can defend and diffuse, rather than an attacking, mistake-ridden FB.

Maybe Hampshire will improve his defence, maybe not, but IMO it is far better to have a new Fullback who can defend but needs to learn our attacking plays than to have an attacking player who needs to learn not to drop the ball/let it bounce, etc..

Not that MB had a flawless game, but the only mistake that I recall was him taking the ball out of play from a kick around 2 yards inside the field of play, rather than stepping over the line and giving away a drop-out, instead of a 10m scrum.

I wouldn't judge Bowen just yet. He was slightly off the pace of the passing movements (hence what lead to Saints scoring) but he's just getting used to a new team as the new team get used to him.

He has the experience and rugby knowledge to quickly correct this and get up to speed, I'm sure in no time at all we'll see him shine.

Two things from the game; firstly when he took the ball out rather than take the tackle (I couldn't understand that) and secondly did anyone else think that he should have claimed the bomb from Walsh that led to their second try, instead of leaving it to Burgess? It was in Bowen's position of the field.

Not judging him as he is clearly a high class player with an impeccable pedigree - I just thought he could have taken control in those two situations.

I think after a couple of months he will be bossing people around like he did at NQL but for now he probably doesn't want to step on anybodies toes and Burgess was already on it.

Another Dennis Moran boo! Get rid quick

This thread is embarrassing, he could have played a blinder and then been crap all year, or he could be quiet and play well all year. How can people possible judge something that hasn't happened yet?

I don't think anyone is judging Chris. We are just commenting. Fans like to discuss what happens in games. No-one is saying he is rubbish just saying what they saw on Friday. I'm looking forward to him playing this Friday but after the Saints game I have my fingers firmly crossed!