Navarrette

[TrueBlueWarrior]

So just out of curiosity how many minutes has Burgess, Gildart, Davies played?, i'm only curious as the have given 0 penalties, they must have only been on the pitch 5 minutes a game

That is your argument? Comparing an 80 minute 2nd row forward to wingers and a centre?

Give up meds!

Originally it was about Props, you brought Joel into it and him giving away 5 penalties in 4 full games compared to props playing half the time giving away 2-3 penalties!

So sticking to the point, Joel has not given away excessive penalties at all compared to other forwards especially as he has played every minute in the forward pack!!

Oh and Joel could give a match winning performance against Saints in a GF final were without him we would have lost but you still wouldn’t rate him....you get the point I am sure!!

he made a lot of mistakes in that final TBW..... but, of course, everyone remembers the try

To be honest Fire I wasn't actually pointing out a specific final but just that as much as meds thinks I rate him no matter what (which I don't by the way), he doesn't rate him no matter what.

[TrueBlueWarrior]

I thought Joel had his best game for us on Friday for a long time. Plus he played 80 minutes

Is that 4 x 80 minutes he has played this season? I might be wrong!

Not quite 4x80. He got yanked against Wire after his two stupid desperate offloads gave up the ball after about 65-70 minutes. Although that little period is the only time Joel has played badly this season.

No, he is not a world class player anymore and he'll never play internationally again, but he's much better this year than last.

So surely that is a positive rather than crucifying him at every opportunity even without substance?

[TrueBlueWarrior]

As far as the penalty count is concerned, like most things with the team, it's too early to form a judgment.

It is, but some did anyway!

[TrueBlueWarrior]

That is a fair point meds but Liam has always been a very low penalty count player, where as Joel according to some is an absolute penalty machine, so I stick by what I said originally, 5 penalties in 4 full games for a second row forward is not excessive at all, in my opinion!

15 other players with same.or more penalties against in league.
13 forwards
Most of them will have played far less game time also.

So not too bothered about a penalty for an 80minute game/contribution.

Enough said!

[medlocke]

Is that 4 x 80 minutes he has played this season? I might be wrong!

Not quite 4x80. He got yanked against Wire after his two stupid desperate offloads gave up the ball after about 65-70 minutes. Although that little period is the only time Joel has played badly this season.

No, he is not a world class player anymore and he'll never play internationally again, but he's much better this year than last.

So surely that is a positive rather than crucifying him at every opportunity even without substance?

If a player deserves praise he get's it, yet as soon as he deserves to be criticized the Do No Wrong brigade get on their high horse, i recall criticizing him around the time of that final, but gave him praise for the try, i'm not a fan of him and believe he is not Wigan standard and should not have been brought back, if he puts in some great performances and proves me wrong then fair enough, it worked with Lockers and look how bad i was back then, just ask Josie lol

[markill]

Is that 4 x 80 minutes he has played this season? I might be wrong!

Not quite 4x80. He got yanked against Wire after his two stupid desperate offloads gave up the ball after about 65-70 minutes. Although that little period is the only time Joel has played badly this season.

No, he is not a world class player anymore and he'll never play internationally again, but he's much better this year than last.

So surely that is a positive rather than crucifying him at every opportunity even without substance?

I'm not sure I've said it wasn't a positive and I'm not sure I'd crucified him. Sorry if my point was misinterpreted or I've misinterpreted yours, but I've been very consistent on Joel T this year - he looks fitter and is playing better than he did last year. Even with a fully fit squad to pick from, based on what I've seen this year, he'd be in my first choice match day 17 as it stands.


Back to Navarrete. The consensus seems to be that he should get a go, and personally I'd go along with that. Isa or Tautai are the players who I'd maybe change him for on the bench. Who would others bring him in for, and how many games should he get to prove himself?

[TrueBlueWarrior]

Sorry markill it wasn't aimed at you at all, I was agreeing with you!

[Firestarter]

Too be fair i dont think joel coukd have possibly played as bad as he did last year.....if sarge improves i think joel will end up on the subs bench

[No straw damn us]

To be fair to Joel and some of you may already know this. For the last two years there were times when he has played when he shouldn't but because of the injuries in the squad he "put his hand up" to play. This time he has had a good pre season and looks fit. If we can get this and maybe next year out of him injury free I think he'll be a good asset to the squad, particularly if Jack Wells gets fit and challenges for one of the forward spots.

[josie andrews]

To be fair to Joel and some of you may already know this. For the last two years there were times when he has played when he shouldn't but because of the injuries in the squad he "put his hand up" to play. This time he has had a good pre season and looks fit. If we can get this and maybe next year out of him injury free I think he'll be a good asset to the squad, particularly if Jack Wells gets fit and challenges for one of the forward spots.

He did play injured because we had no one else to play. I think in one game he played in the middles, second row, centre & hooker!

He told me after one game that both his knees were knackered & he had a back problem, I think it was, he was in agony & only playing with painkilling injections.

I think he looks fitter than he has done for quite a while ????