Sam injured? - contingency plan?

[josie andrews]

Me also but I think one reason why players returning don't look as good is they come back to a different team and different tactics.

This could be particularly relevant for Sam as Green and Lockers were IMO key to a lot of the success Sam had.

That is not to say Sam was overrated and profited off others efforts. He had to be there to take advantage of their play that gave him the chances and plenty of his efforts took a lot to finish.

If people are expecting a re-run of when he was here before I think they will be disappointed BUT if they are it won't be all down to him (assuming injury isn't an issue).

I'd have kept Bowen for another season as some sort of player coach role. Bowen is effective in the current team. I am not sure Sam would be or will be.

Great post Dave, completely agree with all you've said there ????????????

[bomhead]

Me also but I think one reason why players returning don't look as good is they come back to a different team and different tactics.

This could be particularly relevant for Sam as Green and Lockers were IMO key to a lot of the success Sam had.

That is not to say Sam was overrated and profited off others efforts. He had to be there to take advantage of their play that gave him the chances and plenty of his efforts took a lot to finish.

If people are expecting a re-run of when he was here before I think they will be disappointed BUT if they are it won't be all down to him (assuming injury isn't an issue).

I'd have kept Bowen for another season as some sort of player coach role. Bowen is effective in the current team. I am not sure Sam would be or will be.

Great post Dave, completely agree with all you've said there ????????????

I concur

[Kittwazzer]

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/arti ... d=11506874

Reading Peter Stirling's assessment, I just hope we haven't re-signed the most expensive lame duck in history!

[bill.inger]

What short memories a lot of folk have. When we signed Bowen with his dodgy knees and other niggles, supporters were up in arms saying we'd wasted money on a lame duck. The rest of the rugby world, well, Saints Warrington and Leeds fans were having a laugh at us. they're not laughing now and there are supporters at Wigan who now want him to stay as back-up for his replacement.
Sam will go alright after a good close season training and he can get his Wigan head back on.
KW, the only player, in my recollection, who came back after a spell at another club and could still do the bizz was Keith Holden snr.

[Owd Codger]

Are we on about the same Bowen who earlier in the season, some of the same supporters were saying was not a good signing for Wigan, even to the extent of calling him rotten?

[bill.inger]

That's him. He dropped the ball and gave away a soft try. Left out for a couple of games and been faultless since.

[Kittwazzer]

That's him. He dropped the ball and gave away a soft try. Left out for a couple of games and been faultless since.

It was twice. Two tries. And it was against Saints!

[Mike]

Been good recently but he's let us down in big games. If he helps us win thus year's GF then he'll have been an OK signing. If he doesn't he's been a poor NRL option.

[Wigan_forever1985]

I agree with mike, Bowen has scored some spectacular tries and his form lately has been great, however in the crunch games he is yet to perform.

I still think sam should come back in the halves i think in madges team he thrived at fullback, we play a different style now and he has lost pace.

In terms of England sorry to say but ZH is miles in front at the moment

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

If you watch videos of ST early on in his career he seems to have a lot more pace and agility - now I am not sure if this was because other teams where not aware of his ability's or that his knees have become very temperamental.

what injury is it that he has?

I've been thinking the same bomhead.Hes clearly stopped using his step and swerve.he just relies on his link up and passing skills.maybe his knees are bad because he's clearly lost a lot of pace imo

He has been asked to undertake a different role at NZW than he took on at Wigan, one he is clearly unhappy with. I think that we will see a different Sam next season. You also need to bear in mind that NRL defences are much better and players are generally quicker. That said Sam has probably lost a bit of pace which is natural as he gets older.