NickyKiss wrote:Riddell had his best game in a Wigan shirt tonight which isn't saying much but it's an improvment i suppose. Every new player needs time to settle and as ever i use Pat Richards as an example of how a new overseas player needs time and shouldn't be written off too soon.
And what a very poor example it is. Pat Richards was played out of position at centre and only improved when he went to play on the wing. That had as much to do with it as anything IMO.
But that is not the point. The REAL point is that
experienced NRL players should NOT need time to settle in as far as their own game goes. They should be up to speed with that from the off. They may not be on the same wavelength as their team mates for a few games but their own individual skiils, general play and fitness ought to be apparent from day one (unless injured).
I can't comment on Riddell in the Quins game as I am here in the USA so I am making a general point. I don't think experienced NRL players should be excused when (apparently) players like S Tomkins have great a debut as Ainscough did (which I did see). If these two junior players can hit the ground running what excuse do vastly more experienced players have for not doing so? None I would say.
Dave