Youngsters...Thoughts please

[jaws1]

My opinion is that Wigan and Noble are desperate to win a trophy after all the barren years.I think that is why Noble is reluctant to field any young players thinking that it will weaken the squad.He must not be very impressed with any of the youngsters as he went to Aus for Phelps.This season was an ideal situation to blood the youngsters by that i mean bench spots and the occasional game.
Nobby cant win if he bloods young players and we lose matches people are asking for him to sacked ,my opinion is that all the talk of building for the futre and blooding young players needs to be done now regardless of the outcome.How do we know if a player is good enough for SL if he is not tried.
This would not suit everyone as a lot of people are asking for instant success even IL said that at the forum that it would be next year and beyond before we achieve this.

[ancientnloyal]

In Wigans pomp we chucked young blood into the side, Edwards, Clarke, Farrell, Betts, Radlinski, Robinson... with the exception of perhaps Edwards they all came into a Great side displacing and challenging positions with world class players.

Goulding dislodged Vaealiki coupled with the fact Withers retired last year... Prescott and Ocarroll came in because of cap issues + the likes of logan and seuseu went over the years...

Why not get Sam T in to challenge with Leuluai or Barrett depending on position? Stanton against Calderwood/ Richards... instead of coming into the first team with no other option ie/ retired/ injured players. seems like there is no competition.

[butt monkey]

In Wigans pomp we chucked young blood into the side, Edwards, Clarke, Farrell, Betts, Radlinski, Robinson... with the exception of perhaps Edwards they all came into a Great side displacing and challenging positions with world class players.

These players were great players in their own right! The only tangible difference is that Wigan at that point did have a successful and winning side, players were given the time to develop and mature into the first team. They did not achieve a guaranteed first team spot, but were slowly advanced into players positions that Wigan felt right to release at that time.

Steve Hampson was a case in point - many felt that he was unfairly released before his testimonial year. Yet the player's defence was slowly becoming more suspect and his strength, taking the "high ball", he was also becoming more erratic. The decision to "cull" him was harsh - but I suspected this would happen at the time, with the very talented full backs in reserve.

Nowadays, reserve players are expected to produce either as good as (if not better) performances than those they replace, with minimal first team experience and with other positions also under the same fluctuation in personnel.

The Sam Tompkins situation reminds me of another player - Phil Jones. A player who (correct me if I am wrong), won SKY man of the match award against somebody like Castleford away, and was then promptly dropped, never to play first team again! Before Wigan refused his chance to "make a name for himself" at another club (like Simon Haughton and a few others) and loaned him out to the Orrell Rugby Union side that was part of the "Sporting Club Wigan" idea, that Whelan had when he controlled all three "Wigan" sides.

[platt-warrior]

What happened to Phil Jones was such a shame a good player always played out of position.

[butt monkey]

What happened to Phil Jones was such a shame a good player always played out of position.

My point is though, that this goes on, has gone on and will not change - no matter how good one person personally "rates" a player. The past is "littered" with talented juniors and reserves who never got a "fair chance" (if one at all) or an extended run.

[El Bobbers]

Doesn't really have anything to do with this thread but thought but found this interview with Sam Tomkins.


http://www.wlct.org/Culture/linconline/samtomkins.htm

Thought it might give some idea to how he feels about is position, though the interview seems to have been conducted a a little time a go.

Is Tomkins not a much better prospect though? I thought we picked Jones up off Lancashire Lynx? Thought he was more famous for his goal kicking to be honest.

[platt-warrior]

Correct BOBBS but i think he was a stand-off but played a lot of his rugby at FB if my memory serves.

[RJ]

[O'Carroll are very hard working kids but do not have the size yet to make an impact]

I suspect a certain Mr Morley might disagree?

[mano]

MANO AND BUTT MONKEY AGREE ON SOMETHING AT LAST

[jaws1]

What happened to Phil Jones was such a shame a good player always played out of position.

Didnt he move to RU Northampton or Gloucester??????