Kittwazzer wrote:Loved the cheer when his name was announced. Fantastic crowd reaction when he took to the field. Apart from loosing the ball in that crunching tackle, he made a decent fist of his 'debut'.
God Almighty, I shudder at what we have to look forward to in the coming weeks!
ARE YOU READING THIS RYAN BAILEY!!!
To say it was his first game back, I thought he played well too Well done Big Fella
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
I thought his coming back into that game was an unnecessary risk, and I think he showed that he was unfit, and his handling was poor. We got away with it and he got some good game time, but I would counsel caution about his impact for a long time. I also think it is very harsh on Farrell for him to come into the team automatically ahead of him. But then I am in a group of one on this, and happy to be proven wrong.
Nobody comes into the team automatically. Madge selects on what he sees every day. Fans think/judge otherwise. The match went very well for Hock, Madge seemed very happy. Match fitness is clearly the issue, hence why he needs selecting. Conditioning/strength wise Hock has worked non stop for 2 years but you still cannot replicate match fitness.
Hock and hopefully Fielden and Amos have inspired the whole squad.
I thought Hock did ok for his first game in 2 years. Yes he knocked on once but looked keen to gain the respect of his team. He was involved in numerous tackles and a slight glimpse of the old hock with the off load that led to Sams last try, Yes along way to go yet but I think we have something to look forward to with Gaz
I cringed at the reception Hock got to be honest. He was treated like a returning hero when in reality he was returning after a 2 year drugs ban which was all his own fault.
I can only imagine what someone like Liam Farrell must feel like, as well as some of the other young Wigan forwards. Farrell is a player who always gives 100% and is rightly or wrongly stuck in the reserves. Hock comes back from his ban and walks straight back into the team, without even a reserve game to prove himself, and looking well off the pace in the process. It is all very reminiscent of things when a certain Mr Noble was in charge.
Yes they must look at him and think how stupid of you to take drugs and get banned for 2 years but credit to you it would have been all too easy to get lost in society forgoten about and gone on a downward spiral (Newton comes to mind, RIP Terry) however you showed grit determination the ability to learn and fight humility in the face, train your ASS off for 2 years whilst draining yourself financially to hope that there is a glimmer of a second chance to win another contract and show everybody not all 2nd chances are wasted and some people can grasp them with both hands and teach others the wrongs of your mistakes!
Gareth Hock I and the other 20000 fans at the stadium and many more sky viewers commend your hard work please keep going in the direction you are share your experience and dont ever forget it because 2nd chances are rare 3rd chances dont come around!
Hows that Dobby Liam Farrell will come back stronger and learn a lot for missing a few games which incidentally have nothing to do with Hocks return.
Dobby wrote:I cringed at the reception Hock got to be honest. He was treated like a returning hero when in reality he was returning after a 2 year drugs ban which was all his own fault.
I can only imagine what someone like Liam Farrell must feel like, as well as some of the other young Wigan forwards. Farrell is a player who always gives 100% and is rightly or wrongly stuck in the reserves. Hock comes back from his ban and walks straight back into the team, without even a reserve game to prove himself, and looking well off the pace in the process. It is all very reminiscent of things when a certain Mr Noble was in charge.
Dobby, you have to look at the bigger picture and with the u20's not having a game for 3 weeks Hock needs to be thrown straight into action if we want to have a fit and firing Hock for the CC game.
In terms of his reception I thought it was fantastic. He's made a mistake and let everyone down but can you honestly say you've not made a mistake in life? I think not.
Dobby wrote:I cringed at the reception Hock got to be honest. He was treated like a returning hero when in reality he was returning after a 2 year drugs ban which was all his own fault.
I must admit I felt the same way. I certainly didn't cheer. As far as I am concerned he's lucky Wigan stuck by him and he needs to earn the cheers from now on.
I can only imagine what someone like Liam Farrell must feel like, as well as some of the other young Wigan forwards. Farrell is a player who always gives 100% and is rightly or wrongly stuck in the reserves. Hock comes back from his ban and walks straight back into the team, without even a reserve game to prove himself, and looking well off the pace in the process. It is all very reminiscent of things when a certain Mr Noble was in charge.
It would not surprise me in the slightest that he was in the side to put bums on seats for the "Big One 3". He certainly wasn't match fit enough to warrant a place.
Throughout the controversy over Hock I have said myself how do you square favouring a player who did what he did and got himself banned over a player who behaved completely professionally? Reading some posts you would think Hock is an even bigger hero because after got banned he knuckled down which is warped logic in my book. He owes the club and fans big time, is a very lucky boy and his come back really doesn't need treating like the return of the long lost son.
Dobby wrote:I cringed at the reception Hock got to be honest. He was treated like a returning hero when in reality he was returning after a 2 year drugs ban which was all his own fault.
I must admit I felt the same way. I certainly didn't cheer. As far as I am concerned he's lucky Wigan stuck by him and he needs to earn the cheers from now on.
I can only imagine what someone like Liam Farrell must feel like, as well as some of the other young Wigan forwards. Farrell is a player who always gives 100% and is rightly or wrongly stuck in the reserves. Hock comes back from his ban and walks straight back into the team, without even a reserve game to prove himself, and looking well off the pace in the process. It is all very reminiscent of things when a certain Mr Noble was in charge.
It would not surprise me in the slightest that he was in the side to put bums on seats for the "Big One 3". He certainly wasn't match fit enough to warrant a place.
Throughout the controversy over Hock I have said myself how do you square favouring a player who did what he did and got himself banned over a player who behaved completely professionally? Reading some posts you would think Hock is an even bigger hero because after got banned he knuckled down which is warped logic in my book. He owes the club and fans big time, is a very lucky boy and his come back really doesn't need treating like the return of the long lost son.
How does he repay without being on the pitch hmmmmmmm :doz:
