McIllorum

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

You have got to be ruthless to be successful in sport. Wigan have four hookers next season and I believe that Tommy will start the season in the number 9 jersey so there will be limited opportunities for somebody. Wigan need to decide if they want to keep Mac or Powell as a back-up hooker with young Ganson being third choice. To tie up a significant amount of salary on a player to sit on the side-lines is not good business.

Added to that, if Mac can get a better deal elsewhere whilst in the twilight of his career then why not?

[Wiganer Ted]

There's a fair amount of insight in that post SEFC!

[thegimble]

You have got to be ruthless to be successful in sport. Wigan have four hookers next season and I believe that Tommy will start the season in the number 9 jersey so there will be limited opportunities for somebody. Wigan need to decide if they want to keep Mac or Powell as a back-up hooker with young Ganson being third choice. To tie up a significant amount of salary on a player to sit on the side-lines is not good business.

Added to that, if Mac can get a better deal elsewhere whilst in the twilight of his career then why not?

I would keep Powell instead of MM if it meant getting a quality centre. Powell did very well in 2016 and should have kept his spot for me. Though I do like MM it is a position we can cover as was shown in 2016.

[w.thomas]

Reckon We've already Signed sarg for centre so we won't be getting any one else. Also when has wane ever used his brain and made a good decision like moving a player to their best position example TL to hooker. Can't see any of it happening or am I just being stupid because I'm so fed up with the club goings on recently?

[Wes]

Reckon We've already Signed sarg for centre so we won't be getting any one else. Also when has wane ever used his brain and made a good decision like moving a player to their best position example TL to hooker. Can't see any of it happening or am I just being stupid because I'm so fed up with the club goings on recently?

Why don’t you ask your mate who plays?

[Fan4Fifty]

We all have our favourites and that makes us biased but in the modern game a hooker with a slow, inaccurate pass, poor kicking game and no attacking threat from dummy half just doesn't cut it. So Sam Powell just isn't the answer. Yes he stood in ok for MM during 2016 but all the above still applied. TL admitted during last season that he was struggling to 'get up' for games. So he isn't the answer with at best one season left. MM still potentially has 4/5 decent years in front of him and, recovered from injury is, for me, the best of the bunch and our best option for this coming season - some threat going forward and a bit of 'mongrel' which we need in our forwards.

[DaveO]

We all have our favourites and that makes us biased but in the modern game a hooker with a slow, inaccurate pass, poor kicking game and no attacking threat from dummy half just doesn't cut it. So Sam Powell just isn't the answer. Yes he stood in ok for MM during 2016 but all the above still applied. TL admitted during last season that he was struggling to 'get up' for games. So he isn't the answer with at best one season left. MM still potentially has 4/5 decent years in front of him and, recovered from injury is, for me, the best of the bunch and our best option for this coming season - some threat going forward and a bit of 'mongrel' which we need in our forwards.

I agree with most of that. I am not sure MM has that long at the top of the game but he is the only specialist hooker who isn't a youngster the club has actually got!

You are spot on regarding Powell. Like Sarginson he gives 100% but also like him he is not good enough.

Most people accept the club has gone backwards over the last three seasons and a big reason is we have some very average players who regularly get picked either because there has been no alternative due to injuries or simply because Wane seems to value effort over skill.

Players putting the effort in seem to endear themselves to fans but the fact the likes of Powell, Gelling, Sarginson and Isa have been such regular features in the first team over that period is a big reason for our decline. I don't think any of them would last five minutes under a new coach.

[ddtftf]

Without big forwards putting the opposition on the back foot your backs will always look ineffective. and never have the space they need .mmm

[Firestarter]

Without big forwards putting the opposition on the back foot your backs will always look ineffective. and never have the space they need .mmm

ide start with mm and have tommy replacement hooker...... tommy is more explosive so imo would be a good choice.. he can also back up if we get a half back injury..... powell is steady but isnt up too mm standard, again imo

[Wandering Warrior]

This looks like another Club PR shambles brewing!?