No they arent

That's your opinion. Bridge and King are both much better than their opposites statistically as well. It is great news for Wigan that Carmont has resigned and I don't want the thread to derail.

Sorry, but they're not - [urlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics_player.php?hs1=2010&hp1=2596&hs2=2010&hp2=1017&stat=tries&season=2010[/url

Chris Bridge tries and assists combined = 20 in 18 games
George Carmont tries and assists combined = 18 in 24 games

Thanks for proving my point though,


Carmont misses more tackles, gives away more penalties and makes more errors as well.

Stats are never accurate about the play thats why I ddint use them, ask Bridge during the off season if hes nothing on does he fancy polishing Gleesons grans final winners ring.

Bridge doesn't have the time. Got a challenge cup winners medal to polish. What did Gleeson's Gran win? Bingo?

Yet, conveniently, he makes more tackles and more metres.

And, as you were so keen on using games playerd earlier, you'll have noted that Carmont missed 16 tackles in 24 games, yet Bridge missed 15 in 18 games. (Same goes for errors too).

At least be objective.

Not much between them I agree. It's not a case of me being biased. Wigan have a better set of Wingers, backrowers and the best player in the league. We can go back and to allday. Let's agree to disagree.

Fair enough.

Good luck for the season (but not too much mind

)

Don't think there is a chance to be honest. With the additions of Finch, Lima and Hoffman the strongest get stronger. Out of interest, who will be your halfbacks next year?

I'd presume Finch + Deacon.

Hopefully Sam will stay at FB.

Ah yes, Gleeson has one of those too...

Whilst the stats look good on paper - George does a lot of work that isn't recorded in them. He organizes the defensive line and as one of the leadership group comes across as a very calm and thoughtful player. He's also a great team player and regularly plays hurt. In the Leeds semi final he dominated the Rhinos backs with a fantastic defensive display.

At the end of last season when Pat was crowned club player of the year, he said that George was the best centre he had ever played with. Don't get me wrong; Bridge is very good player and definitely one of the best centres in Super League. However given the choice I would still prefer George in the Wigan side. However, as you said - let's agree to disagree

I want to see some English outside backs come through as well but I still support the re-signing of Carmont. I just don't think the others are ready yet to do the job full time.

I also think centre is one of the hardest positions to play properly. You see many wingers drafted in there or 2nd rowers having a go but true centres like Gleeson and Carmont are rare and I'd like Madge and Co to make sure whoever takes over has had the right level of training for this position for another year rather than just chucking them in the deep end by replacing Carmont.

Dave

You comparing the two medals

Depends whether Deacon stays on for another year, he was supposed to be moving into coaching this year but with the form he showed last season I hope he decides to give it another year, 32 at the start of the season isn't that bad.

Based on time at their current clubs. Sorry if that was a bit difficult to grasp. If we're comparing medals, then Ade Gardner is better than Pat Richards. See how easy it is.

How is Joe Mellor progressing?

He picked up a long term injury in pre season training this year and missed all the season, came back for the reserves playoffs.

How is Ade Gardners NRL grand final medal?

Well this is an interesting one.

Carmont clearly has been a fantastic servant and a very capable player for Wigan. In this respect he deserves an extension on his contract and there is no doubt that he'll be a vital cog in the back line this year.

BUT

We can't overlook that he is injury prone and an ageing (overseas) who is preventing somebody like Charnley from a starting spot. I know Wigan fans have an affiliation primarily to their club and probably to their country second but England need more young players getting Super League experience (especially in the backs) on a regular basis.

AND

Before you all propose Charnley going on loan to Hull KR, I would much prefer Josh to develop on a constant basis in McGuire's environment over Morgan's. He'll improve tenfold.

How have you come to the conclusion that he is injury prone? Or have you just made that up because of his age?

He has missed a MASSIVE three whole games all season, how is that injury prone?

He is the perfect professional and has never let the team down, always gets the job done and more - Just look at how good he made Ainscough look when he first came through, and Pat will be the first person to tell you that George has played a massive part in his success this year.

Dont let the fact that you want Charnley in the side so bad change your opinion of how valuable Carmont is to the squad. He has been nothing short of class in his whole time at Wigan and earns his name on the team sheet every week. Charnley is looking good yes but he is no-where near ready to play regular Super League week in week out for the top team where expectations are high. Im sure Maguire and Wane know what they are doing in regards to bringing him through and they have obvioulsy determined that Carmont is worth another year while the likes of Marsh and Charnley develop.

I though you were comparing a challenge cup medal to a championship winning medal..

Agree totally. The number of tries scored by our left winger in the past couple of seasons - whether that be Pat, Pryce or Ainscough - confirms this. Added to the raft of tries scored by Goulding, it just goes to show what good centres ( George and Gleeson) we have ( along with Sam and Lockers in providing openings and tries).

Quite so. Add in the fact that the way we've been playing this season uses the centres as dummy runners more often than not, with the cutout pass coming from further inside, but still needs the centre to appear to be a threat.