Agreed, id still take him for year now.

McIlorum works very hard in defence and is a big hitter, but like people have said he just doesn't offer enough in attack. the only thing he seemed to do on Sunday was the odd run forward from dummy half. Every time Tommy replaces him at hooker there's a noticeable difference going forward and we look far more dangerous. Whether that would be the case if Tommy played 9 for the full 80 though I'm not sure, it works well interchanging the 2 but it would be nice to have a second hooker who can do something going forward. I always feel that when McIlorum comes on, we are effectively shutting up shop as far as attacking is concerned. Maybe one for Bilko or some stat man... but is there any stats around showing how many points we score with Tommy at 9 as opposed to McIlorum?

It's a shame we didn't really replace deacon, but I really think we need to get Sam playing in the halves to give Tommy a better shot at playing hooker. Lets pray we can get the Amos Roberts of early 2010 back then maybe that can happen.

we should have signed Julian Rinaldi when he was going cheap, a better option than MM

Are you gonna write a hooker thread every week now like last season =


OBSESSED

We could have more Hookers than a Bangkok side street and he'd still be complaining.

This is becomming a bit annoying now. The club supposedly has a policy that if your not delivering the goods then you lose your place. This does not appear to be the case with Micky Mcillorum. Last season on a weekly basis he consistantly got shown up by Tommy in attack.

New season, clean slate fair enough but I just do not see how he is going to improve, his ball distribuition is too slow to play at 9 and it slows down the whole team making us slow, predictable and flat. Like alot of occasions last season the minute Micky left the field on Sunday we sprung into life and started playing some decent rugby, the problem was it was too little too late.

i really hope Wane brings through the likes of Mellor, Powell and Russell and gives them the time and patience McIllorum has had.

Maybe the problem hasn't been solved and has been around since Piggy left.

Its a seriously problem area for us, imo and needs addressing.

Most important position on the pitch for me.

Pretty cut and dry Tommy at 9 Powell in at hb

People was saying Sam wasn't ready when he broke into the first team worth a shot

I'm not aiming this at anybody in particular but it's annoying when somebody creates a topic regarding the team or a player that might be performance critical and some fans reply to that topic to accuse them of being wrong by doing so.

These boards will only survive as long as people continue to post opinions of topics of their choice. Rather than just slating the thread, add to the debate whether you agree or not, otherwise don't bothering posting at all.

There are ample topics of positivity and opportunities to happy clap.

The majority of our tries on Sunday were scored when McIlorum was on the field. Our most dominant period was in the first half when McIlorum was on the field and our backs made a pigs ear of the opportunities.

It looks as though it's McIlorum and Gouldings turn this year.

Do you not feel that if say Piggy was playing we'd see a lot more from guys like Finch or Sam

I'm sorry but this is rubbish people have concerns about players and post about them i remember you sticking up for Pryce and Roberts saying they was scapgoats and give them a chance how did that turn out?

I do respect your opinion on most things but this whole clique on here between a big group of fans not liking the fact players get pulled up on certain things is embarrassing if players are weak or have done something wrong people dont like hearing about it

This post isn't just aimed at you it's to a number of people

Not convinced with Powell myself. I'd much rather see Matty Russell at 1 and shift Sam to 6 or 7 if your shifting Tommy to 9!

For me, Powell needs to be put out on dual-reg somewhere.

To be honest i dont watch the young lads so dont really know whos ready and who isn't if it's Russell then give the lad a shot

I would sooner have Tommy at 9 then 7 but at the moment we dont really have to much options

Since Piggy left I think it's pretty obvious we're a much better side with Tommy at 9. For me Wane's first big task is to ensure that happens while at the same time getting the halves to work better.

Well my view is it's still 12 months too early for Powell but Wane seems to be more encouraged. Trouble with Powell was that Mellors kneecap injury in 2010 pushed him forward to the 20s, 12 months before time so whilst he's played a lot of rugby now at that level, I'm not sure he's "maxed" at the level where he can learn no more. I think dual-reg would be better but others might disagree. Be interested what other academy regulars thinl?

Would you prefer Leuluai or McIllorum at hooker?

Do a Monaghan and move Finch to hooker,at least it is a different idea than the same old ones bandied about on here.
Finch plays more like an hooker now anyway,using the short pass to mostly supporting forwards,its very rare that you see him putting backs through a gap.

St Helens, Lomax & Gaskell.
Wire, Myler & Briers.
Leeds, Burrows & Maguire.
All natuaral halfbacks with a bit of pace (even Briers)

What Wigan do at present is play Finch and Tommy for half a match in the halfs (no pace),then the rest of the match with Lockers in the halfs instead of Tommy (still no pace).

I would rather see Mellor and Powel given the chance this season than muddle through like we have been doing. (bite the bullet)

Every one knows that Tommy leaves at the end of the season,but what about Finch?,he may go as well. If I am right Lima signed for 3 seasons,Finch for 2 seasons and Hoffman for 1 season. I am not certain if Finch had an option for an extra season,if not he will go at the end of this season as well.

Controversial I know but at a different idea.

He was on the field for 80% of the game so the chance is he will be on the field when most of the points were scored.

Its nothing to do with this year or scapegoats my opinion is McIllorum is not up to it and I have thought that for a few seasons, it is not a knee jerk opinion.

You have to agree based on last years performances we looked a much better team with Tommy at 9 rather than Mickey. I will highlight the Warrington cup performance as a prime example.

Goulding I am not sure about myself but IMO he could have had a lot more starts at right centre than he has so far so I understand why Wane is giving him the chance.

Not sure you can judge Goulding on Sunday. Or any three-quarters for that matter. If your spine (positions 1,6,7,9,13) are all looking off their game, then your wide players are feeding off miserly scraps. Put it this way, if we'd have had Brough, Robinson and Grix at 6,7 and 9 for us on Sunday we'd have won by about 30-40 points, never mind 20-16.

SIP,
The only problem with bringing Powell in is that he is slower than Tommy and Finch, so it doesn't solve the pace at half back. ( I think Powell may end up as a 9)
Further down the line Ryan Hampshire is very quick but it's far too early for him yet. So that leaves two choices, bring in Russell at fullback and Sam at six or give Mellor a run.

Which ever way we do it I would keep McIlorum at 9 and Tommy at 7 and then introduce Mellor or Russell from the bench, but I don't think Leeds is the game to do it unless we have to.
What is incredibly funny is the "how we miss Piggy" There was myself and about three others who could see just how good he was but had to defend him from the majority on here. I hope someone digs up those old threads.

Rogues.
I accept what you are saying about Powells lack of pace ,you have seen him more than me,I saw him for the first time at Leigh a couple of weeks ago.
But all the talk during the close season as been about replacing Tommy next season,with no mention of Finch.
I have just checked and Finches contract is up in Nov 2012 with no mention of an extension,therefore we have got to start blooding someone now.
Cheers.

That might have been because he was on the field for most of the game. The first half wasn't exactly dominant, it was just a little better and I'd say that has more to do with Mossop and Lima being on the field. When those two went off and Lauaki and Flower were at prop the team looked weak.

I know McIlorum is great defensively, but honestly, what does he offer in attack? It isn't pace around the ruck because he's fairly slow. It isn't powerful running in Cunningham's style. It isn't playmaking ability like Monaghan. Aside from the occasional good kick from dummy half his only attacking tactic is to dummy and run which has yet to be effective.

If he's to remain first choice number 9 he has to develop a presence in attack because he's not a patch on the likes of Roby, Monaghan, Henderson or Burrow.

I agree. I want him to come good as he is a Wigan lad but I think his size is against him, the jury is out for his defence and his attacking centre play.

Back on topic...

If we finish the season having given Russell and Mellor 5 or so games each ill be happy but my concern is Wane has gone into the season with the set up of 1. Sam, 6.Finch, 7.Tommy and 9.McIllorum and this is the way it is staying so unless somebody gets injured the younger players are not going to get a look in.

If you could get him I reckon Eloi Pellisier would be a perfect foil for McIlorum for you, one defensive, stable hooker and one flair, creative, quick hooker.