Post subject: Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Posted: Mon May 20, 2024 5:46 pm
The Yellow Giraffe
International Star
Joined: Jun 17 2011 Posts: 3839
Zig wrote:I am not sure that he is mobile enough or that his size will be a major asset when playing first team. He reminds me of Samy Kibula. Obviously, the lad may prove me wrong. Good luck to him.
That’s interesting about his mobility because in this article Derek Traynor, who knows him better than anyone, talks about this speed being a strength of his. Admittedly I’ve only seen him at Castleford the other week but he certainly looked like he could move a bit for a big lad too.
Now you’ve probably seen much more of him than I have but he doesn’t sound like there’s any concerns internally about his mobility.
Zig wrote:I am not sure that he is mobile enough or that his size will be a major asset when playing first team. He reminds me of Samy Kibula. Obviously, the lad may prove me wrong. Good luck to him.
That’s interesting about his mobility because in this article Derek Traynor, who knows him better than anyone, talks about this speed being a strength of his. Admittedly I’ve only seen him at Castleford the other week but he certainly looked like he could move a bit for a big lad too.
Post subject: Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Posted: Mon May 20, 2024 7:34 pm
Zig
First Team Player
Joined: Jun 04 2022 Posts: 2175
The Yellow Giraffe wrote:That’s interesting about his mobility because in this article Derek Traynor, who knows him better than anyone, talks about this speed being a strength of his. Admittedly I’ve only seen him at Castleford the other week but he certainly looked like he could move a bit for a big lad too.
Now you’ve probably seen much more of him than I have but he doesn’t sound like there’s any concerns internally about his mobility.
Mobility and speed are two different things in my book. But hey I am happy to be proved wrong, time will tell. However, I think it is always dangerous to big young lads up, the expectation can become overwhelming.
The Yellow Giraffe wrote:That’s interesting about his mobility because in this article Derek Traynor, who knows him better than anyone, talks about this speed being a strength of his. Admittedly I’ve only seen him at Castleford the other week but he certainly looked like he could move a bit for a big lad too.
Now you’ve probably seen much more of him than I have but he doesn’t sound like there’s any concerns internally about his mobility.
Mobility and speed are two different things in my book. But hey I am happy to be proved wrong, time will tell. However, I think it is always dangerous to big young lads up, the expectation can become overwhelming.
Post subject: Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Posted: Mon May 20, 2024 8:03 pm
NickyKiss
International Board Member
Joined: Nov 08 2004 Posts: 29654 Location: WIGAN
I’ve seen Stephen’s once against Wigans academy and we couldn’t deal with him tbh. Will that translate to the first team? Who knows but it’s not going to give him any less of a chance having that sort of physical presence.
What I will say though is that big lads have dominated at academy level before and not been able to translate it to first team rugby. The most devastating academy performances I can recall were from Ryan Bailey at Leeds and he never managed it. I’m not saying he had a bad career, far from it but he was killing teams at that level, going over, through or round players for fun but in the first team he ended up making a career more as a grafter and wind up merchant.
Post subject: Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Posted: Mon May 20, 2024 11:07 pm
Phuzzy
Player Coach
Joined: Nov 19 2006 Posts: 5471
I found this interesting from the Academy coach in relation to what we've been discussing.
“Whether they all go on and reach that potential remains to be seen, But I believe this current crop of young players is as good as we’ve ever had.”
That seems a lot more nuanced and balanced than what Rush has said or what some fans seem to think is an almost foregone conclusion that they will come through and succeed at this level.
Post subject: Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Posted: Tue May 21, 2024 1:53 pm
SFW
International Board Member
Joined: Nov 11 2002 Posts: 7967
Phuzzy wrote:I found this interesting from the Academy coach in relation to what we've been discussing.
“Whether they all go on and reach that potential remains to be seen, But I believe this current crop of young players is as good as we’ve ever had.”
That seems a lot more nuanced and balanced than what Rush has said or what some fans seem to think is an almost foregone conclusion that they will come through and succeed at this level.
I think there's been a lot of outside noise about this crop of players (Stu has named them all) that won't be beneficial to them. The club have previous in getting these transitions right though, and you can see already the likes of Stephens and Vaughan (the two most physically ready) in and around first team environments. Saints have some work to do to successfully integrate them all and the hype around them won't help but it will be an interesting couple of years seeing them all come through and hopefully replace the older guard.
Post subject: Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Posted: Tue May 21, 2024 4:27 pm
Zig
First Team Player
Joined: Jun 04 2022 Posts: 2175
SFW wrote:I think there's been a lot of outside noise about this crop of players (Stu has named them all) that won't be beneficial to them. The club have previous in getting these transitions right though, and you can see already the likes of Stephens and Vaughan (the two most physically ready) in and around first team environments. Saints have some work to do to successfully integrate them all and the hype around them won't help but it will be an interesting couple of years seeing them all come through and hopefully replace the older guard.
It will be interesting but they will need some of the older players to help them. At this rate some of those experienced heads will be in care homes. Joking apart, these lads need some exposure this season if they are to transition seamlessly there is only so much experience playing on loan can give you. What still amazes me is that we still go on about how we need to protect young players, tell that to the greats like Murphy, Farrell and Gregory who were hardly out of school and yet holding down regular first team places.
Post subject: Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Posted: Fri May 24, 2024 6:20 pm
Zig
First Team Player
Joined: Jun 04 2022 Posts: 2175
Many think (including a number of TV commentators/) that Tommy Makinson is the best winger that SL has seen, but is that true? No doubt our friends over Billinge Hill will be fighting his corner but, I am not sure that the facts support crowning Tommy as the best. Ryan Hall will equal Danny McGuire's super league try scoring record if he scores one try against London, that will give him 247 in 362 appearances (0.68 tries per game). Ryan is followed closely by former Wigan wingman Josh Charnley who has, at present, recorded 238 touchdowns in 288 games (0.83). Both wingers have spent time away from Super League - Ryan for two seasons (2019/2020) and Josh (2017). Tommy has managed to score 183 tries in 294 appearances (0.62) according to the Rugby League Project. However, both players are older than Tommy and have played in SL longer. I am sure other posters will be able to introduce additional facts and arguments, let the discussion begin.
Post subject: Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Posted: Fri May 24, 2024 7:53 pm
Cherry_Warrior
International Star
Joined: Dec 08 2011 Posts: 926
Surprised Saints fans are crying blue murder about the no try (which clearly wasn't) when they are adamant that Wardle's was definitely not a try against Penrith. Funny old world. Loving hearing their fans booing every decision, desperate acts from a team on the slide
Post subject: Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Posted: Fri May 24, 2024 8:48 pm
RobRiches
Academy Player
Joined: Sep 07 2023 Posts: 295
Zig wrote:Many think (including a number of TV commentators/) that Tommy Makinson is the best winger that SL has seen, but is that true? No doubt our friends over Billinge Hill will be fighting his corner but, I am not sure that the facts support crowning Tommy as the best. Ryan Hall will equal Danny McGuire's super league try scoring record if he scores one try against London, that will give him 247 in 362 appearances (0.68 tries per game). Ryan is followed closely by former Wigan wingman Josh Charnley who has, at present, recorded 238 touchdowns in 288 games (0.83). Both wingers have spent time away from Super League - Ryan for two seasons (2019/2020) and Josh (2017). Tommy has managed to score 183 tries in 294 appearances (0.62) according to the Rugby League Project. However, both players are older than Tommy and have played in SL longer. I am sure other posters will be able to introduce additional facts and arguments, let the discussion begin.
You mentioned facts.fact is he won the golden boot. I know you can’t give any saints players any credit ever but tell me how many Wigan wingers have ever won the golden boot?
Post subject: Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE
Posted: Fri May 24, 2024 11:21 pm
thesaint71
Academy Player
Joined: Jul 05 2022 Posts: 183
[quotAe="RobRiches"]You mentioned facts.fact is he won the golden boot. I know you can’t give any saints players any credit ever but tell me how many Wigan wingers have ever won the golden boot?
Unlicky lmao[/qdFa Three have Farrell Hanley Kenny
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