Johhny Lomax

[NeeNawWarrior22]

Jack Murphy is not good enough IMO.

Completely agree. The FB position is such an important position these days, particularly attacking wise. When Sam does go we need a quality replacement. IMO Murphy doesn't have the required ability.

[Kittwazzer]

Jack Murphy is not good enough IMO.

Completely agree. The FB position is such an important position these days, particularly attacking wise. When Sam does go we need a quality replacement. IMO Murphy doesn't have the required ability.

And at 20, you don't think he ever will?

[southernpie]

But a 22 year old Lomax would not be a stop gap would he. He could hold the FB spot for 10 years if the NRL didn't want him!

It's all ifs, buts and maybe's, we might only get one or two years out of Johnny and the NRL come knocking.
I want to see Wigan being the best in Super League and win everything up for offer every year :smil:. I think our youth policy is second to none, but at the end of the day only the best should carry on to first team places. There has to come a point where the youngsters are as good as or better than the incumbent in any given position, if they don't come up to the required standard they are let go. If they do the incumbent is shipped out. If one of the youngsters is ready to step into Sam's shoes when he goes ie is as good as any other option available then great we carry on as we are, but if there is no-one ready, I would like to see the best available option utilised and if that is Lomax then great, it then becomes up to the youngsters to reach a standard to oust him. Obviously it is a lot more complicated than that and comes down to the view of the coaching staff etc. but I don't think showing loyalty to our young players just because they came through our academy is the way to go either. Johnny could be a stop gap until someone like R Hampshire is ready or as you say he could be our FB for the next 10 years.
I have been a big fan of Mossop over the last few years, but after what we have seen so far this season, I am now not as upset about him going to the NRL as I would have been had the news broken during the off season because what we have coming through in Crosby, Taylor, Spencer et al there is no-one available in Super League who I would rather have.

[Wes]

Jack Murphy is not good enough IMO.

Completely agree. The FB position is such an important position these days, particularly attacking wise. When Sam does go we need a quality replacement. IMO Murphy doesn't have the required ability.

And at 20, you don't think he ever will?

How good was Sam at 20, I just don't see anything in him Stuey only my opinion though and I would love him to prove me wrong.

Salford didnt want to extend his loan, what does that say?

[Kittwazzer]

If one of the youngsters is ready to step into Sam's shoes when he goes ie is as good as any other option available then great we carry on as we are, but if there is no-one ready, I would like to see the best available option utilised and if that is Lomax then great, it then becomes up to the youngsters to reach a standard to oust him. Obviously it is a lot more complicated than that and comes down to the view of the coaching staff etc. but I don't think showing loyalty to our young players just because they came through our academy is the way to go either.

Where did I say it was?

My argument, which I seem to have difficulty getting across, is that I would not like to sign young Brett Hodgson from Saints if it meant our own little Billy Slater would have to look at other options!

[NeeNawWarrior22]

Jack Murphy is not good enough IMO.

Completely agree. The FB position is such an important position these days, particularly attacking wise. When Sam does go we need a quality replacement. IMO Murphy doesn't have the required ability.

And at 20, you don't think he ever will?

With Sam leaving most likely at the end of the season, we need a replacement in a vital position who is equally as good as Sam. Murphy is not that man.
Lomax could be a great shout. Could we tempt saints with a cheeky bid?

[Kittwazzer]

Completely agree. The FB position is such an important position these days, particularly attacking wise. When Sam does go we need a quality replacement. IMO Murphy doesn't have the required ability.

And at 20, you don't think he ever will?

How good was Sam at 20, I just don't see anything in him Stuey only my opinion though and I would love him to prove me wrong.

Salford didnt want to extend his loan, what does that say?

Sam is a once in a lifetime freak. If we compare every 20 year old against Sam we are screwed!

[NeeNawWarrior22]

My apologies, I don't expect Murphy or the replacement for Sam to be as good as Sam is now, or was at 20 years old. But what is certain is that we need to find an adequate replacement in terms of ability and potential.
IMO Murphy is not the replacement.

[southernpie]

I don't think showing loyalty to our young players just because they came through our academy is the way to go either.

Where did I say it was?

Sorry we are talking at cross purposes, I didn't mean to suggest you did say this, just that that is how I feel.

My argument, which I seem to have difficulty getting across, is that I would not like to sign young Brett Hodgson from Saints if it meant our own little Billy Slater would have to look at other options!

And I seem to have difficulty getting across that I agree with you in principle but what do we do if Billy is not going to be ready for a couple of years? I would sign Brett for the meanwhile if he is the best option available.
In my Utopia Ryan Hampshire would get a few starts this year eg this week against Salford to see how he gets on and ideally he would slot right in whenever Sam decides to depart.

[Wes]

And at 20, you don't think he ever will?

How good was Sam at 20, I just don't see anything in him Stuey only my opinion though and I would love him to prove me wrong.

Salford didnt want to extend his loan, what does that say?

Sam is a once in a lifetime freak. If we compare every 20 year old against Sam we are screwed!

Haha can't argue with that Stuey.