Spot on.

We have only so many spots available, is Phelps good enough to take one of the spots? Considering how many other players are out there?

No.

The issue with the number of non federation slots available is a major factor however in my opinion you only dump someone who is using up a slot if you are getting someone in to do a better job in their position. We are looking to sign a half back and a prop. Assuming that both turn out to be non federation players we need to dump one. We are not looking to sign a full back as at least 3 players are competing for that role (remember IL's reference to the 7 props meaning it wasn't is priority when he took over).

We have a two perfectly good non quota hookers at the club one of whom is playing at half back and has been identified by our chairman as a hooker. The new half would allow him to play hooker and as the third hooker is a quota player and not needed he is the sensible one to offload. Particularly if as some people say he is homesick. The reserve and academy hookers can be used to compete with Tommy and McIlorum so we don't need a highly paid non fed hooker to do this at the cost of losing the best full back we currently have. We can look at improving our already very good backline when our pack and halves are sorted.

Id try and get Clint Greenshields in for next year, if we are to let Phelps leave.

Give the boy a decent contract, he deserves it, doesnt appear to be your typical, unpasionate Aussie, a two year contract with a third year option, and for god sake give him the No 1 shirt and leave him there!!!!

A lot of assumptions there - Coley and Bailey may leave but also may stay, Goulding is anyone's guess as to stay or go. Only Smith is certain to be leaving. So it could be we only lose say Smith, Hock and Bailey which means less money to spend. Time will tell.

A lot will depend on who is available and how much they cost and who the coach next season is - a different coach may see things differently.

I agree, I think my comments were based on what I feel is best for the team IMO.

Doesn't get enough credit and is very under rated IMO worth at least another year definitely

Was very impressive last night linked into the line well supported well. We were supposedly looking into him on loan early this year wouldnt of minded having him looks very good. BTW jhow slow has Amos Roberts gone??? 2 year ago he wouldnt of needed to pass that ball to richards he would have gone straight down the line and done it with ease. Prescott was your MOM last night for me

I reckon we need to dump two if we want to sign two none federations players, could be wrong but that is the way I worked it out. Smith and Bailey going just gets us down to 6 so two more would have to go and the only other two none federation players off contract are Carmont and Phelps.



If it was only that easy! I think it is fair to say if we could offload Riddell and Roberts those two would be 1st in line for the chop compared to Carmont and Phelps but unfrotunatley IL gave them both long deals.

We should by now be getting to the stage were old contracts signed by Mo were finally working their way out of the system but we have seemingly landed ourselves with two players long term who are not delivering. The trouble is we can't just pick who we offload.



The only way this is going to happen is if Riddell agrees to leave and I see no indication of that and suspect the home sick rumours are wishful thinking by some fans.

Dave

Phelps has been really good since moving to fullback. Give the lad a chance he is only young yet and has his best years infront of him. The way he comes into the line and throws some great passes is something we have not had for years. Add to that that his defence or positioning have not been a problem and the fact that he always puts his body on the line and gives 100% then i think he should deffo be given a new contract. He has the time infront of him to be a very good fullback for years to come and i expect he does not demand big money.

Also remember his utility value,he can fill in anywhere in the backs and do a decent job.

phelps has done nothing but give 110% for wigan, and has played really well recently. The tackle he made last night to save a certain try in the last 5 mins was something most full backs would be proud of.

If phelps was british they would be so many more positive comments. I don't see him any worse of better then say briscoe, but because he's a Aussie many automatically dislike him.

i understand people perfer british players and wigan lads, but i think some people are obsessed. Yes i'm very competitive and my highest concern is for wigan to WIN! regardless of who's in the team and where they are from. Ideally these players would be British, but if an Aussie has come in and done a decent job, which previous british players haven't then so be it.

i think he's worked hard enough for at least another year and some other aussies haven't. It just seems some fans moan when there is not enough effort shown, and say such things as i wouldn't mind losing as long as they show the effort, then when someone shows the effort they complain there not good enough.

What if we have the opportunity to bring in former test FB Anthony Minichiello?

Only if we could be sure he would play a good number of games. A very good player but has had a lot of injury problems - a risk for sure. And what would he cost us?

would have to be an appearance related contract

Good shout. But could still be very good. One of the most naturally gifted FB's in recent times.

Excellent post and the last paragraph is exactly what i was trying to get at. Its typical of Wigan fans to say one thing one week and then turn full circle the next. Phelps shows the kind of enthusiasm and guts that you expect from a Wigan born lad. He has also proven he is very useful as a player. Many people forget he is still only young and will get much better but he has already shown the signs that he has what it takes to become a great fullback.

We must give him at least one more year. By this time next year he has the ability to be one of the best fullbacks in SL.

As for Minnichello no thanks. Weve made enough dreadful signings of injury prone players already. Let another club take a chance on him.

No.

You are joking right

Over the hill aussies...big money...

If we let Phelps go just because of the federation rule, you have to wonder if he could end up elsewhere and become a top player with them instead of us. We took a gamble on Dobbo when the Cats released him, and he saved us from relegation. Why are people so fixated on buying in 'top' Aussies when they seldom come over and make a big difference?

but phelps hasn't made anywhere near the impact that Dobbo made on us. It's pointless comparing the two.

My point was that neither of them would have been first choice players as they are not 'Aussie stars'. I wasn't comparing them to each other.

fair point.

But then again Dobson had been an aussie star for catalan, which is the reason we went for him. He was an unknown when he went to catalan, not after.

Crock.


Phelps has to stay. He is the only overseas player that deserves a new contract at the moment for me.

A brilliant player at his peak but a definite no for me.

If Radders has been coaching 1 on 1 with Phelps, it's starting to show. The lad's doing "ok" at the moment and will probably be on a modest wage too. New contract dependent on form over the rest of the season I reckon.