Think we'll ever see the guy back at Warrington? Smith said in the guardian that he hopes that Gaz can kick on elsewhere and maybe come back to the club in a few years. When he started in 2011, he was actually pretty great for us. He looked a great prospect, while Myler was out injured he seemed to slot into that role very well, backing up, scoring from a Briers chip through, creating his own. I think having to try and carry an average side really hurt him because when the team was handing out thrashings by the week and Briers was about to hold the fort so to speak, he flourished, suddenly Briers goes without much warning and Gaz flounders under the weight.

I think he will it's where his heart is.

James Mendeika, James Laithwaite, Jordan Burke and GOB all played in Warrington service area U12 together when they were young kids, and the quartet always looked as though they would make it through to the first team, but now only Laithwaite is left at Wire. I hope GOB does well at Salford, perhaps he can kick on further, but at 24 the odds are stacked against him.

Previously...on 24

The reality is he is not good enough.

He is not the next Lee Briers, the sooner people stop clinging on to the hope that he is, the better.

Not good enough.

Considering injuries may take their toll over the season it may have been a good idea to keep Gareth as a back up player. Gareth has had some pretty hard tackles to put up with during his playing career, both with us & when farmed out to other clubs, & he seems to have come through ok. On the other hand the club are considering keeping Gary Wheeler who is an injury waiting to happen. Doesn't make a lot of sense.

I think at 24 that wouldn't be in the best interests of the player. He needs to be playing regularly now.

We have Sandow, Gidley & Ratch to cover the halves next year. Would also be useful to be giving game time to Patton in early Challenge Cup games etc.

Best decision for both the club and him to move on - I hope he kicks on with regular game time at Salford.

I agree with you 9A that if you were going to keep one and I'm not sure I'd keep either GOB, would get my vote, but, it isn't as simple as that though, as presumably each player's own expectation will come into play?

Do you want first team action, do you want a fresh start and probably most important with these two does another club want you?

In O'Brien's case that other club, Salford, obviously helped make his mind up. In Wheeler's case unfortunately IMO, we are that other club and he's 'happy' taking a chance with a bit part given his injury record, so it will be up to the club (and his current deal) to force the issue.

Yes would agree with that wrt Wheeler. Reading between the lines he is on a low salary and is essentially paid by his appearances. So as far as the club is concerned he is only really taking up a squad place. The only gamble is whether or not he can show some form when he gets picked, which to date, has not looked particularly promising.

I, personally, don't think we'll see Gaz playing for the Wire again. I wish him all the best and hope he does 'kick on' like everyone hoped, wished and has waited for (and I think he does have it in him). I find it interesting that in his final interview he mentions that his family suggested that him moving on is best for him. Having spoken to them prior to the end of the season, I think there is a little animosity towards the club for how they have dealt with him over the last year. I don't think it is of 'Brett Hodgson magnitude', but it's there all the same! They related to the fact that when GOB was farmed out to Saints on loan, where he was duly battered, bruised and concussed on a regular basis, they (Saints) expressed a desire to sign him and Warrington (Tony Smith) said "no". Apparently he was very emotional at the Players Awards evening about the fact that he and Myler were leaving, so he does epitomise the "Once a Wire, Always a Wire" ethos, but I can't see a return on the cards any time in the future. Like I say, I wish him all the best; I think the move WILL do him good and that we may just rue the day we let him go (particularly when he plays us), but not sure Salford is the team he will prosper with.