Not sure, felt like he’d been on all game but probably wrong. I’ll probably watch the game back at some point and have a good look how Sammut got on.

I think Williams does try to make things happen on almost every set and at times he just needs to settle us. Though without him we would be without a large part of our threat. That left edge is potent for a reason and hes a large part of that. Bullock, Byrne Kibula and Greenwood offer us real size and I hope we see them at some point. Bullock looks to have pushed himself in to contention already with his first two run outs you can't help but be impressed and hopfully.

I’m surprised to see so much criticism of Williams. I thought they really struggled to deal with him yesterday in that 1st half. Sammut compliments him well and his kicking was very good. I think the kicking game was one of the biggest positives to be honest.

Agree, largely, but think it will be forever thus when he's being held to a higher standard than most. Not even saying that this is particularly unreasonable, with his marquee status, natural ability and playing in such a key position. Even so, until he consistently puts in complete performances, think there will always be some criticism even when he creates scoring chances which other players wouldn't be able to.

On Sammut, pleased to see comments that he appears to be a decent organiser. My knowledge of him is entirely based on the off the cuff player that we saw in SL a few years back, so if he can do the other side of halfback play too, then fantastic.

I think the comments about Sammut suggest that opinions haven't changed that much since he arrived with Crusaders years ago... some absolutely love him whilst others can't stand him. The epitome of a Marmite player.

Personally I think his signing could be an inspired one. He is one of the most underrated organisers in the game and because he tends to play behind beaten packs has this rep as only being able to play off the cuff. Yes, he can create something from nothing but this can only benefit sides when Plan A isn't working.

Alongside Williams and behind your pack I think he has the ability to be an absolute bargain signing.

I agree. I saw the interview he did when he first arrived and he said then that he intended keeping the off the cuff stuff in his "back pocket" and would be looking to play more of an organising role but I was surprised at the extent he was able to do this. His performance yesterday was very Sneyd-like, constantly splitting the defence with his kicking and controlling the pace and place the game was being played. I can't remember the time we last exited sets in the opposition 10 in such a consistent fashion.

We all know he's a threat with the ball and can make something out of nothing. That's great to give us the extra threat on the right but we've been calling out for someone to 'partner' George in a traditional pairing for some time. Someone to take the responsibility of moving the team round the field to allow George to concentrate on what he does best. One showing isn't enough to say we've found that but I'm far more confident after seeing him do a full 80 in that role yesterday. Could well be a Deaconesque inspired signing.

Friendlies mean nothing. I wouldnt get too excited about some players having brilliant games and others having poor games. In the friendly boxing day game 97, Doc Murray had one of the best debuts ive ever seen. Saints couldnt lay a hand on him and we all thought he was going to be the best player in the league......

Williams will likely be the best player on the field in the first game.

Well I'm sure we'll discuss that come the first game of the season. Seeing this is a thread specifically pertaining to a particular game which was also a friendly I'm not exactly sure what your point is. Did you even watch the game?

My point is clearly outlining that you cant judge how well players are going to go by their performance in a friendly. Talk of Williams being poor and Bullock being the next Glenn Lazarus are premature and have no indication on how they will be playing in a real game.

Thats all i was getting at, nothing more, nothing less. Jeez, its such a hostile atmosphere on here if you have a different opinion!

hey up Mr negative is off on one again!

Do you not think the hostility is just a reaction to the way you post? It's very condescending to post as though none of us are aware of the limited use that friendlies have as a yardstick of how players will go. However as the friendlies are all we have to go on so far, then obviously we are drawing what we can from those for now. I'm sure attitudes and opinions will change over the course of the season.

Rather than get in an argument though how about you tell us how we should discuss a friendly without recourse to how individuals performed? Let's assume for the sake of this discussion that we all know that the game isn't an absolute measure of how players will perform over the course of a full season.

Lot of negative posts on here when we signed Sammut and Bullock
regarding cheap signings from Championship.Bullock played well in both the games he played over the weekend .Sammut showed glimpses of his kicking game when he settles in and knows the teams moves will be a lot better.

I'm not sure I ever had any reservations about Bullock. Everything I'd heard about him prior to us signing him was good. But Sammut, I think, will have to work very hard to win the fans over, if for no other reason than he's long been perceived (maybe inaccurately) as a player whose time had passed.

But thus far - and I know these are only friendlies - the signs are promising.

I was also happy with the signing of Joe Bullock but one of those with serious reservations about Sammut. The early signs are good but he’s got a lot to do to win me over fully. Good start though.

I think this is both fair and logical, I feel the same. End of the day we're all Wigan fans and we're just hoping for the best for the team, given Sammuts track record we're bound to question the signing and have reservations; be odd not to.

Luckily we also have options, if Sammut doesn't work out, we can revert to the 6,7, 9 which won us the GF.

Now I'm just looking forward to the 31st.

I think that's a good point and one that's often overlooked. TL, GW and SP were not only good enough to take us to the title last year but did so without losing a single game in the super 8s...something that hasn't been done before. Given that Sammut brings something different and something most have said was essential to get the most out of George that can only be seen as a positive.

I truly hope he goes on to be a success here at Wigan but if not, as you quite rightly say, we still have the GF winning combination to fall back on. Factor in Escare, Shorrocks and, perhaps most interestingly, Smith and I don't think we're looking too bad for options going into the new season.

The difference between this year and last year tho is Sam. Whilst 6,7 and 9 are the same, in the latter games it was San who acted as the leader, kicker and organiser. The others almost played around him. Sammut is in to provide those kicking and organising skills to maintain the team balance.

6,7,9 are not in the game unless the pack gets on top. I think wigans kick return this year will be vital again. We have the best backline in the league kick returning when you include sarge and gilly its like having 5 extra forwards with how many carries the take and the yards they make. That is not to be under estimated as to how vital that is as it gets us on the front foot.

How is me stating that Williams will likely be the best player on the field in the first game being negative, please explain?