WiganWarriorsFans.com

highland convert wrote:Just average does not get invited to play down under. Mathers was hung out to dry last season time and again. Mathers for fullback for me and Nobby will agree I think, Jim

ancientnloyal wrote:You'd have to givew Mathers a clean slate this season see how well he does initially and upto around game 8... if no improvement or sub-standard performances then I could see Roberts getting a nod for a few games to see how that pans out.

I believe Mathers was showing all the signs of becoming world class when he was at Leeds until his injury, to get a similar injury in the other leg whilst in Aus was desperately bad luck. I was pleased when it was announced he had signed for us, but he was terrible a lot of the time last year, I hope the coaching staff have instilled some confidence in his abilities, because he could be a great player, I agree with ancient n loyal, new season, new chance to prove himself. Let's not give him grief before he's had a chance to prove the knockers wrong.

My "take" on it. Mathers was re-signed because the club was under the impression that famous amos would not be available for another season. This changed once the sydney roosters made it clear they were prepared to release him earlier than expected. Wigan moved to sign the aforementioned player a year early and he will now fill the full back position he was going to play in, just a season earlier!

Where that leaves mathers is anyone's guess - maybe on loan mid-season. :doz: But I cannot seriously believe that the club coach would comment that they rated a player as an "outstanding full back" yet neither play them there, nor keep a mediocre player there just to keep the optimist on this site happy.

This optimist believes a young player, world class returning from injury will be scared of the return of that injury. The more the knees stand up the more confident he will get. That was proved out in the latter part of the season where he was prepared to run the ball harder, tackle harder, and kick harder. All these things mean you have to trust your knees. Mathers 09 will be much better than Mathers 08. Roberts is a very good winger but I would not put him higher than that. If he were better he would not be up here. If he were a fullback rather than a fullback standin he would play that position. Again we are blowing one of our own for an incoming ozzie befoere the proof of the pudding is tasted. Maybe it is time someone posted a poll "Who is fit to wear the shirt?"
Jim

I would agree until you said tackle harder and he cannot tackle and didnt tackle. H is positioning is out he cannot tackle. 2 pretty important things at FB. If he is no good in the first 10 games he should be shipped out as tackling timing maybe be out but as a rugby player you never forget hoiw to its just the timing thats out which comes with match fitness.

He may have run the ball harder but still did nothing with it. I was excited when we signed Mathers as you are right was showing class at Leeds but seems to have evaded him and has not trained on to the promise he showed as a youngster.

cpwigan wrote:Noble will play

Roberts
Pryce
Phelps
Carmont
Richards

As his starting outside backs once fully fit

That came out of the mouth of Noble.

How good is Roberts defensively at fb? Never seen him play there. I hope that line-up is correct, though (anything that keeps Mathers out is good), although I'd be more tempted to switch Roberts to wing and Pat to fb.

It does surprise me, though, knowing how highly Noble rates Mathers.

cpwigan wrote:Noble will play

Roberts
Pryce
Phelps
Carmont
Richards

As his starting outside backs once fully fit

That came out of the mouth of Noble.

Would sooner see
Richards
Pryce
Phelps
Carmont
Roberts

Well hopefully Goulding plays his way back into the side for game one.

The problem Goulding faces is that if he makes one mistake Noble will drop him which IMO means the players are treated unfairly because there are others that are given umpteen chances.

in an ideal world:


1. Amos
2. Phelps
3. Pryce
4. Carmont
5. Richards

Mathers, :conf: far far far away from Wigan

Early season the likes of Mathers / Goulding may geta chance if Pryce is not ready.