Maybe it is mate but they have both at least had a long run of games in the side without impressing.

Smith's 2 best games in Wigan colours have been his last 2 games and Phelps best games have come since Maundy Thursday as well.

To put them in the same bracket as Coley would be harsh but the principle remains

I'm not sure it does or you would need to put Richards in the same bracket as he took a while to settle too. Many, indeed most, Aussies seem to take a while to settle in this country (Gidley and Donald would be 2 more good examples) and given Smith's problems that was even more likely. In Phelps case I think you could argue that he has had as more good games than bad, with the majority falling somewhere in between and certainly you could never cite lack of effort. Therefore I think the principle doesn't hold in either case. The worst you could say is that, up until recently, we haven't seen the best of them, but that is a completely different argument.

You may well be right that they need more time to settle, hope that is the case. All I was trying to say was they have only started playing their best rugby for us recently. I think the fact we have started playing a more expansive game has helped Smith (we all knew he was good when given runners) and Phelps moving to a more creative and favourable position for him at full back may have helped him too

He has been outstanding lately so, yes, I would definitely sign him.

Yeah, I agree with that. Certainly hope so anyway!

You're still living in the pre-salary cap times. Just because we're a famous club doesn't mean we can pay any more than any other club for a good player, or hat good players will want to come and play for us for average wages. We can no longer have 17 star names in our squad. It is inevitable that we must have average players as well. Leeds and Saints have average players too.

Saying we're getting off the point by talking about wages is ignoring the reality of the salary cap. In Coley we have an average player on (what we are assuming is) an average wage who is currently playing above average. Why get rid of that? And exactly what sort of player would you replace him with on an equaly average wage?

If Coley isn't good enough why not promote one of the younger lads?
Mossop, Davies have all had shouts on here and if they can't do the job we'll be in the same boat as we are now with Coley only paying less money for the privalage.

I don't think we'll see Coley at Wigan beyond his current contract not because it won't get renewed but by his own choice. As I understand it, he's some form of quantity surveyor or the like by trade and that will ultimately decide his future.

I don't subscribe to this notion that players start playing well in their last season in the hope of a new contract. They must surely know a decision on their future will be made based on their form and worth to the club over the period of their time here.

I would think decisions have already been made on the players who are out of contract (as shown by TL getting a new deal already) because you need to start working before now on identifying replacements if contract extensions are not to be offered.

Likewise any potential new club would be mad to sign a player based on his last seasons performance alone.

It's pointless exercise turning it on for the last season in the hope this is going to influence anything, the decisions will have already been made.

It could just be that every now and again a player finds some form or starts enjoying their RL and if it is linked to them leaving the club, it may well be they play better as they no longer feel the pressure and expectation of being here for another season.

Dave

I agree with you Dave. Coley was apparently gutted when droped at the begining of the season . Regardless of being offered a new contract it was his ambition to go out on a high note (straight from the horses mouth). Being droped was the biggest kick up the booty , well needed to. Without trying to breech the lads confidentiality, a couple of personal problems (off the pitch) contributed to his poor performance . Not that i am offering that as an excuse, he was dire in them first few games. But he has sorted his head out (Karl Harrison (ex salford coach) made reference to his parsonal problems and the need for him to sort his head out in the League Express back in Feb) and lets just give him an ounce of credit for playing well. He does not expect a new contract to be offered by Wigan but is still trying hard. Good lad I say, and i will be singing his praises to the end of the season if he carries on in this vein.