How can you say Riddell has been an abysmal signing, he's only played two competitive games and looked injured.

Mathers/ Phelps were cheap options as nothing else was available, they were brought in as stop gap until guys like Ainscough can be blooded.

As a group, I'd agree to an extent there is still leadership lacking, we're still suffering from Farrell/Newton leaving, Farrell did everything.

When we signed Mathers, I felt he would be a fantastic signing.

Erm...oops

i know riddell has only played 2 games, but the signs don't look good. why do we have to keep making stop gap signings when there are supposedly young players like tomkins and ainscough kicking their heels. i would sooner have these young wigan lads given a go than some of the dross that is taking the field week in week out.these young wigan lads are only going to improve if they are given the chance.

Which "apparently", is the whole point of the licencing system.

Noble is blooding these young players, others would throw them in sooner and maybe this should happen. It's subjective, it's proven throwing too many kids in at once will be detrimental to the team so it's getting the right balance.

too many youngsters! we are only talking about 2 tomkins and ainscough, how long are we going to blood these youngsters if they never get a game. we are playing with 2 scrums halves at 6 and 7 when we have a potential good young stand off who can't get a game. i am questioning the signings we make if people on here think that ainscough is potentially a better player than phelps, then why are we wasting cap space that could have gone towards a prop which we desperately need.in my opinion the owner and coach seem to be making some strange decisions.

Conveniently forgetting about Mossop, Farrell, Thornley, Holland. Just to name but a few

not forgetting about them at all, it is just at this moment those 2 with the exception of mossop are probably more ready to play in the first team than the other lads you mention. there is no relegation to worry about now so blooding a couple at a time can't be any worse than some of these lot. are you saying we shouldn't play some of these lads?

Brilliant, so if people on here think Ainscough is better than Phelps then we shouldn't waste cap space on Phelps.

Stick your feet up Brian, all you have to do is read these forums to decide which team to select.

BTW Phelps offers versatility and is relatively cheap, that's why he was signed.

Not to mention Ainscough's been playing in the Academy, he probably needs a season in the Reserves and step up to the 1st team in the event of injuries.