I wouldn't drop him but Noble picking on form is the imponderable which is why I suggested Ainscough may miss out if we have a fully fit squad as Noble was going without Ainscough before Carmont withdrew.

After all, Ainscough isn't the finished article so Nobby keep telling us. He hasn't got an excuse lined up for dropping any of the others!

Dave

If he drops Ainscough for Saturday i'm going onto the pitch, picking Nobby up under my arm and taking him back to the Bradford team coach for the journey 'home'.

Part of me wants Shaun to be dropped now

I'd have Phelps in ahead of Roberts but not Richards, Gleeson, Carmont or Ainscough. Granted Richards has been poor in the couple of games since his injury but we need him for his kicking and I'm sure he'll pick up again soon enough. Could be worth playing Phelps at full back with Richards on the wing?

wasn't to keen when phelps left the ball instad of booting it out in the saints and celtic game. tries for the opposition both times.

I still think Roberts will come good for us, he's not even playing as bad as people make out imo.

For a change we actually have quality competition in the backs, and it looks like Phelps is really playing to stay, he impressed when he first joined, then his form dropped abit but since the saints game he has been fantastic - and has shown his versitality. Alot of people were saying we should have got rid of him and kept Colbon but hes shown in the past few games he can offer ALOT more than Colbon did/could.

Abit of a headache of selection problems for Noble but if Piggy is injured i can see Phelps playing impact hooker.

Funny that this topic has been started. I had intended starting one with the proposition that Phelps (on current form and asuming he continues to develop as he is) is now worth his quota spot. My reasoning is this. Smith aside, he was again the best import on the pitch yesterday from either side and given this includes players whose 'quota status' isn't in question, such as Feka, Drew etc. perhaps we should start to look at what he brings to the table. Firstly, his versatility. He can play all across the backline but, unlike the normal utility player, he appears capable of doing it to the highest level in a couple positions. Performances so far indicate that at FB and centre he his worth his place on merit and can cover wing to a 'journeyman' standard too. As many Aussies feel his best position is 6 and, for my own part, I rated him at 9 when he played there last season, that's a pretty comprehensive cv and something no-one else in our squad can boast. In fact whilst I realise he has to do it over a longer period to earn this comparison, it puts him alongside the likes of Panapa from past squads if he can do so and what price a Sam Panapa in our squad! Good rap if you ask me. Also, as has been mentioned on numerous other occassions, his commitment to Wigan cannot be faulted and he comes in on a much less wage than the normal import who is capable of playing at his level. He comfortably outplayed Demetriou yesterday who has been a good quota player for Wakefield.

Be interesting to get he views of this board.

If he can maintain the standards of recent games then he is a very useful player to have around - covering so many positions is undoubtedly handy, perhaps a good player to have on the bench to cover any position in the backline. For me the way he runs into the line and supports well he could be worth a try at 6.

The only real concerns for me are his injury record - hopefully this is just a temporary thing and not an indication of an injury prone nature and the quota issue - maybe he is worth a qutoa spot but as the number of quota players is reduced then things may look very different.

The pluses in his favour are the enthusiasm and effort he puts in.

Phelps is the kind of utility back that noble was after when we signed withers. Due to injuries the withers signing never really worked but you can't underestimate the value of having a player that can cover so many positions to a pretty good standard. The only thing going against him is his overseas status imo and whilst this isn't a problem at the moment it could become one in the future. Personally i am quite happy with having phelps around for his usefulness to the team and the enthusiasm he shows when playing.

I think Phelps at the minute is worth his weight in gold. He pays FB to a good standard but for me still shows that it is not his specialist position. He does well in three quarters and can cover hooker and stand off. As stated above, sam panapa like. I'd keep him on providing he can keep his form.