Darryl Goulding article

[ashtonned]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyl ... lford.html

Goulding: I had to leave Wigan and I'll thrive at Salford

Darrell Goulding thought the world was his oyster when Wigan Warriors handed him the No 3 jersey that once belonged to his boyhood hero, Steve ‘The Pearl’ Renouf.

Goulding had just joined Wigan as a bright-eyed 12-year-old when Renouf, acknowledged as one of the best centres in the world, arrived from Brisbane to have two seasons with the Warriors.

‘He was my favourite player and when Wigan gave me the No 3 shirt last year it was one of the good times in my life,’ said Goulding, now 21.

Wigan also gave Goulding a two-year contract with an option for a further year and No 3 will remain his squad number at least until the end of the current engage Super League season.

But he will have No 29 on his back on Saturday night and, instead of the cherry and white of Wigan, the red and white of Salford City Reds when he makes his home debut for them against Hull FC at The Willows.

Goulding was shipped out to Salford on a month’s loan by Wigan recently when they signed England World Cup centre Martin Gleeson from Warrington.

‘I am here for a month but it could be until the end of the year,’ said Goulding, the latest home-grown Wigan product to find himself wondering if he will have to rebuild his career elsewhere.

‘It is disappointing because I would like to be playing in Wigan’s first team but, if it is not happening, I would rather play Super League every week.

‘The Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan has told me I still have a future with the club and that he won’t let me go anywhere else permanently.

‘I have got to believe him but, at the end of the day, it is not the end of the world if I don’t play for Wigan. If I am in the same position next year I will probably end up leaving.

‘I played in most of Wigan’s games last season but didn’t get picked for the first one this year and now they have signed Martin Gleeson, there is pretty much no chance for me.

‘Martin is a brilliant player and I can’t blame Wigan for signing him or for when they go after other big-name players. Wigan are a big club and are expected to be winning things every year.’

Goulding, who impressed Salford when he scored two tries against them in a reserve game at The Willows early last month, believes other Wigan youngsters will soon be going out on loan.

‘The reserve competition is not very strong this year and when you are winning by 50 or 60 points every week, you are not going to improve or learn.

‘It is a strange feeling not wearing a Wigan jersey after nine years but at least I am playing Super League again and that’s all I want.’

Saw this article on Saturday in the paper and I thought that it was quite sad especially considering the stuff he has had to put up with this season, and last. Interestingly he says that Wigan refused to let him leave permanently which backs up what I was told about at least 3 clubs, Leeds, Warrington and another making bids for him. It also backs up what I was told about him being desperate to leave on a permanent basis, but that Wigan wouldnt let him, because he had simply had enough.
I do get the impression though that everyone at Wigan, bar Noble, do still see him as a big part of the club and that they want him to stay for next year when, hopefully, Noble has gone.


I have changed the title to let us know that it is Darryl you are alluding to and not Bobby who has also done an interview

[The Eclipse]

Adrian Lam told me he is a future international,
Ian Millward loved him,
Back in 2004 a St Helens player told me Goulding was the best up and coming player in the UK.

So what has happened under Noble ?

[cpwigan]

An interesting but largely forgotten aspect of Goulding the young player is that when he first played for Wigan he did so as an outstanding left centre with Sean Gleeson / John Walker playing right centre. So he does not necessarily have to be considered as an either / or for Gleeson. He could replace George on the left.

[yoda warrior]

Playing on the wing should improve his game, and knowing when he wants the ball as a winger, should help him learn when to pass it as a centre.

.

excellent point. he has bombed a few tries by not passing when in the clear before. was he a right centre as a junior? always on the right in the first team, and maybe not confident passing off his left side?

[cpwigan]

Not sure whether he was right or left as a junior with St Pats Yoda. Probably right because Hitty (Hatton) could only pass that way.

When he came to Wigan he played left simply because he was younger than Gleeson / Walker and it was the only spot available but he played very well.

Part of the problem when you play juniors / academy / reserves is that the defence is not good enough to require a pass after the break is made.

[mike binder]

Shaun McRae seems to rate him very highly too. A friend from Salford told me he had him picked out months before he signed the loan deal because McRae rates him as one of the best prospects in the game.

Also, McRae's post match comments after the Catalans game praised Goulding, even though he had a difficult game and didn't really stand out.
This weekend he was Salford's best player against Hull, and had it not been for Wilshere's erratic kicking he could have had a match winning input. McRae again singled out Goulding for praise.

How nice must it be for Darrell to actually get praise for doing something right! While McRae isn't the best of coaches, everyone seems to respect him as a person, and I expect Goulding will be pleased to play under him.

On another note, now that Goulding is playing on the wing, it could well make him into a much better player. One of Goulding's problems getting into the side was his lack of versatility. Most young players come through and are capable of playing multiple positions, especially in the backs, which gives them something to offer. Goulding has been a centre just about every game he plays, even in the reserves. Playing on the wing should improve his game, and knowing when he wants the ball as a winger, should help him learn when to pass it as a centre.

Hopefully he will catch the eye this season and Wigan will keep hold of him. I'd rather have Goulding than Pryce, and some time on the wing may give Goulding utility value, meaning there wouldn't be too much difference between him and Phelps.

get him as coach then l;ol