WHATEVER HAPPENED TO;

Discuss all things Wigan Warriors. Comments and opinions on all aspects of the club's performance are welcome.
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privateryan
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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO;

Post by privateryan »

Whatever happened to all the exciting wingers that have worn the cherry and white, why are there none not only at the JJB but in super league.
Anyone who has been watching the game for a while and remember the likes of Gilly, Fergie, jason Robinson, Offiah Boston before that these guys used to get the crowd roaring every time they touched the ball. There is only Bran carney in recent times who was capable of this.
Pat is a good solid reliable guy but you would never call him exciting.
From the little that I have seen of him maybe Ainscough has that bit of a spark, lets hope so.
yay!
cpwigan
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Re: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO;

Post by cpwigan »

Dying breed mate unfortunately. Coaches want 'scooters' from dummy half rather than flyers it seems.
gpartin
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Re: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO;

Post by gpartin »

privateryan wrote:Whatever happened to all the exciting wingers that have worn the cherry and white, why are there none not only at the JJB but in super league.
Anyone who has been watching the game for a while and remember the likes of Gilly, Fergie, jason Robinson, Offiah Boston before that these guys used to get the crowd roaring every time they touched the ball. There is only Bran carney in recent times who was capable of this.
Pat is a good solid reliable guy but you would never call him exciting.
From the little that I have seen of him maybe Ainscough has that bit of a spark, lets hope so.
In a few words I can answer your question

Tactics
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shawcross da warrior
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Re: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO;

Post by shawcross da warrior »

there arnt many around in the NRL either to be honest, like cp said they are a dying breed you dont really get the opportunity to utilise a speedy winger now like you have been able to in the past...

defences alot tighter and sliding defence cuts out alot of overlaps...
josie andrews
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Re: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO;

Post by josie andrews »

I've said it before there is no call for a specialist hooker or a specialist winger any more, the game has changed, for the hooker re the scrums and the ball never goes along the line as it used to for the winger and a lot of centres won't pass it now either. :(
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DaveO
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Re: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO;

Post by DaveO »

privateryan wrote:Whatever happened to all the exciting wingers that have worn the cherry and white, why are there none not only at the JJB but in super league.
Anyone who has been watching the game for a while and remember the likes of Gilly, Fergie, jason Robinson, Offiah Boston before that these guys used to get the crowd roaring every time they touched the ball. There is only Bran carney in recent times who was capable of this.
I'd say Dallas was capable of it but had he been in this current team he'd be no better perceived than Calderwood IMO.

Robinson may have thrived even if he did have to come looking for the ball but I am not sure about the others with the exception of Boston who had the the strength but he also had a darn good centre!

I was at the 1985 cup final and I defy anyone not to revel in John Ferusons tries. As Josie said the game has changed and I think a combination of rule changes have led to a game that isn't as entertaining as it was.

Dave
gpartin
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Re: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO;

Post by gpartin »

DaveO wrote:
privateryan wrote:Whatever happened to all the exciting wingers that have worn the cherry and white, why are there none not only at the JJB but in super league.
Anyone who has been watching the game for a while and remember the likes of Gilly, Fergie, jason Robinson, Offiah Boston before that these guys used to get the crowd roaring every time they touched the ball. There is only Bran carney in recent times who was capable of this.
I'd say Dallas was capable of it but had he been in this current team he'd be no better perceived than Calderwood IMO.

Robinson may have thrived even if he did have to come looking for the ball but I am not sure about the others with the exception of Boston who had the the strength but he also had a darn good centre!

I was at the 1985 cup final and I defy anyone not to revel in John Ferusons tries. As Josie said the game has changed and I think a combination of rule changes have led to a game that isn't as entertaining as it was.

Dave
Track back to my point about Wigan V Leeds with Edwards and greg at Central park... God knows how many rule changes, changes in in coaching strategies, new stadiums, new ideas about taking the game forward etc. etc. The fact is the game was just as entertaining to watch.

We used the Wingers well at that time.. Wigan have had players like Myers, Preston, Dave marshall etc and I dont think any of them were amazing but we made them look good... I keep banging on about it but quality centre's are so much more important.. Wigan wingers seem about as useful as they are in Union these days (yes I know we've got Pat Richards who praises Carmont but his skills lie in other areas).

I never rated Offiah as an all round player, he improved defensively as he lost some of his speed and had the ability to come into the midfield and work out... Calders had the speed, the defensive ability and the determination to do the work that Offiah had.. Unfortunately he didn't have Gene Miles so he will never be respected as much as Offiah was.

Robinson could always create a gap out of nothing and I don't think it would make much difference who the centre was.
Gareth Thomas before his first game: "You wanna spend 10 mins getting smashed up by these guys..Big dudes here.."


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DaiJones
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Re: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO;

Post by DaiJones »

Two things-Gene Miles partnered Offiah in cherry and white no more than 15 times something people forget, he scored 151 tries down our left wing with someone totally different as his centre

Pat Richards has scored 21 times this season, the most anyone has scored for four seasons so service to one wing at least can't be that bad
gpartin
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Re: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO;

Post by gpartin »

DaiJones wrote:Two things-Gene Miles partnered Offiah in cherry and white no more than 15 times something people forget, he scored 151 tries down our left wing with someone totally different as his centre

Pat Richards has scored 21 times this season, the most anyone has scored for four seasons so service to one wing at least can't be that bad
Yes but I'm sure he had Gary Connolly a fair bit of the time??? Richards has done well don't get me wrong but you wouldn't describe him as a pacy winger would you? To me the wing can be the waste of a great player if not used properly.
Gareth Thomas before his first game: "You wanna spend 10 mins getting smashed up by these guys..Big dudes here.."


pedro
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Re: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO;

Post by pedro »

Have to disagree....you need a good centre for a good winger. They are still around but do not get the service to be noticed.

Lyon - Albert
Senior - Donald

Richards has scored a lot and has had a good centre next to him in Carmont. Calders has not had 1 good centre in his time at Wigan.

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