Wigan_forever1985 wrote:you mean Ian (karl pryce) thornely?
ive said on the rumour mill thread id be happy if we signed bridge while i think he is a rat of a player he does get under players skins and he can kick goals something we seem incapable of finding;
just had a quick check on the stats from last year if you look at our 2 first choice centres Sarge and Gelling (bearing in mind i havent counted how many games they played because i just did this quick)
but bridge scored more tries, assisted more tries, missed fewer tackles and made less errors than both of them in every category. The only place they got bridge back was meters made which is a huge different if im honest but im assuming that may be because wire actually use their forwards to make meters instead of their backs!!
Stats arent everything and yes 10 years ago bridge would probably be lower end superleauge or championship, but jamie lyon aint around any more nor are many good centres
But last year Bridge played the most of his games at stand off..... And appeared in more games than sarge or gelling.. In fact over a third more than Gelling.
And this year, when he is playing at centre, despite playing more games than either gelling or sarge he's way behind both of them except he's made fewer errors than Gelling- but we all accept Gelling needs to iron that out of his game.
cherry.pie wrote:Bridge is one of the most skilful players, and on his day is still one of the best centres, in Super League.
We definitely need more cover at centre so if Bridge is available and for a good price then I think he'd be a decent signing.
People are always quick to say 'what about this academy player' whenever a player over the age of 30 is rumoured to be signing but if we just replace a player with whoever is in the academy at the time it will be poor strategy, especially when it comes to centres.
We can't rush Gildart. He's one of the best young players I've seen but we can't rush him. Look how long it took Goulding to become a solid centre. His progress isn't going to be stopped by Bridge. If anything, if we're interested in Bridge it's more likely that Gelling could be leaving considering he's our right side centre.
We have Thornley but he hasn't played in a long time. He's not exactly providing competition for places while in the treatment room.
An experienced centre could be pretty useful. Gelling and Sarginson have so much potential, Bridge is a good player and is consistent. He's also 10 times better at centre than Joel Tomkins, so reducing the likelihood of Tomkins playing there is also a good thing.
I do agree with what you have said Cherry but I do feel it seems to disenchant the young players. Perhaps they all want too much too soon, but with the situation re-the under 19's competition once they get to the age too old to play in that, they have nowhere to go!
Very true Josie, Phil Clarke wrote a good article for Sky about the loss of talent and development due to the fact that there are no reserve teams. All down to money pinching chairmen/owners!
Winning is down to 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration - Shaun Edwards
I actually think Bridge has ability BUT that does not mean I would sign him. To sign a 30 year old would be very perplexing given our youth ideology.
The only possibles I can think are do they think Gildart is not read and needs a season more (but why would Bridge sign for a year? 2 or 3 minimum will be his ask) OR Thornley has a career threatening injury.
adiddy wrote:Sarginson in the clear chased down and then passed by mose masoe, who secured the ball!! Yes new centres please!!
Matt
Did Masoe pass him i thought Masoe was actually having a rest when the ball passed him. Can someone else confirm that.
Did Masoe pass him or is someone having a pop at Sarginson.
Masoe was behind Sarginson who was then nudged over the touch line by Sintelins fullback giving Masoe a clear lead and line for the chase. I think Sarginson would have got passed Masoe had he not been shoved a good 10 yards sidewards.
Any touch judge worth his salt would have awarded a penalty for the push that prevented a possible try.