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Riddell played a good game, it wasn't the same game i saw then.

Riddel was OK but needs to be fit, he is not!! but niether are others in the side . S Tomkins gives us pace and his defence is better than Smith . Aincough and Roberts give us a real threat out wide, with this can stretch defences and it's the first time in years we have had some real speed throughout the team plus Richards at fullback all good .

one swallow does not make a summer

one win does not make nor will it ever make Noble a good coach

For me fans must have been able to see how much better e looked when Tommy went to 9 instead of Riddel.

Riddell,Coley,Smith were diabolical and Fielding even worse.Tommy,Hock,Roberts excellent,Ainscough is a very good attacking winger but needs to sharpen up his defence and positional play.Sam Tomkins gave good account of himself and i really believe he will go to International honours.Pats kicking has gone off the boil.

The reason Ainscough is not the best defensively is because Noble and co left him to rot in the academy last season so he never got tested. He hardly even got reserves games until he played in Aus for England. Players only improve by being stretched beyon their comfort zone and Wigan RLFC cost Ainscough 1 year in his development as a plyer.

I was delighted that Tomkins got a run out - and even better; he played so well that if Noble drops him then he can expect to be lynched!

Ainscough played well - he made a couple of defensive errors; however he also scored 2 good tries and looks as dangerous as anyone in attack. His attitude is spot on and I thought that he combined very well with George.

Roberts has started to show what he is capable of - if he keeps going then he will be do fine.

What Noble HAS to wake up to is that there are a number of so called "star" players that are now surplus to requirements.

Top of the list has to be Mathers. There are at least two players in the first team that are better fullbacks than he is. Unless we have a major injury crisis, I can't see how he deserves a place in the team. He seems a nice bloke and has a good attitude; however this is professional sport.

Second is Smith and only he is only behind Mathers because we have a shortage of cover at hooker/half back. He seems unable to create any of his past form and is now largely a passenger. I can't remember anything good he did against quins - however I can remember several missed tackles. He was completely eclipsed by Tomkins. Perhaps being outplayed by a 19 year old will be the kick in the ar$e that he needs - either way; I can't see him being of much use.

Phelps; average player - however I can't see how he fits into the current backline - although he is ahead of Mathers. When Pryce is fit I would imagine that he will become injury cover and nothing more. Prefer Bailey over Phelps at centre for his defensive solidity which also makes room for Joel Tomkins at 2nd row/loose

Riddell - looks and plays like radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles. He's not fit and it is plain for all to see. Reasonable distribution, but nowhere near fast enough around the ruck to be a threat when running from dummy half - looks more like an veteran prop trundling it up the middle.

cpwigan, as our man in the A team dugout you must have chuckled when Sam Tomkins in the after match interview on Sky said that he was just one of 7 or 8 players just waiting for their chance in the first team squad. Lets blood a few more in vital matchs

Matthew wrote:I was delighted that Tomkins got a run out - and even better; he played so well that if Noble drops him then he can expect to be lynched!

Well he didn't score 5 tries this game and even that didn't save him last year.

Nobby`s Girl wrote:

medlocke wrote:he made me laugh when he stated after the match that he he has always brought the youngsters through

Goulding, Prescott, O`Carroll, J.Tomkins, M.McIlorum.

I think people forget, these are all young lads brought up through the reserve team. You could also throw Hansen into it.

Hansen, Prescott, JTomkins were given their first team debuts before Noble came to Wigan. Goulding might have been too although I doubt it. So 1 player per year is not the credentials of a coach who develops young players.