[quote="Uncle Rico":dzzuqnxm]I agree with your sentiment that the best teams are usually the ones that operate optimally in the 'sum of the parts' principle. Therefore it follows, especially in a salary capped sport operating in a small gene pool, the club resources are used wisely (BTW look at the mess United are in now to see its not confined to our sport) The question is, is Lees expected to be that "great player" and rewarded as such or his availability being considered for the slightly lesser but equally important "sum of the parts" role?[/quote:dzzuqnxm] I agree, and its a discussion we've had on the Wigan forum's too. Not every player can be a world class operator, and they all have a relative market value on the cap, so if Burgess thinks he needs Matty Lees to lead his pack for example, then he'd probably pay good money, however, if he's seen as a valued squad member, then he'd probably get well paid, but not have a massive impact on the cap. I'd assume George Williams is your marquee (fed trained) so he couldn't take that slot and Toby King was your home grown marquee (not that it matters in relation to this particular discussion) In terms of his attributes, whilst he isnt the biggest metre maker, i think he is one of Saints defensive line leaders with Knowles. When Saints are performing, he is one of the ones who set that defensive line speed, and makes the big hits. Admittedly both he and Knowles dont always get it right, but they are trying to put such speed in to force errors / big it, its invariably going to be mis-timed every now and then

[quote="ninearches":2euhz2m2]Briers showed how to deal with a wrecking ball prop in that CC semi final v Wigan at Widnes. Wore him out with kicks.[/quote:2euhz2m2] i'd disagree with the kicks but do agree that you took him out of the game. I thought Monaghan ran him ragged in defence, making him turn, and tackle. When it came to him taking the ball in he was goosed and went off Now onto Mago, i think Wigan have found a sweetspot with him in the team. We have Thompson, Havard, Byrne who can all play big minutes, with Ellis another option. Mago has been causing havoc in a small or 2 small but devastating spells, usually just before or after half time. Cant remember exactly which game it was last season, but he came on and turned it by causing serious issues for the opposition in defence and won the MoM off a 15 minute cameo so my point is, if used correctly, then a wrecking ball can be very influential in a game, but equally and to your point, yes they can be nullified but not always

So as it stands right now the Redvee ITK says Knowles and Lees staying, an ITK on Wigan board says we have signed Lees. Sooooo where is Abe to shed any light on this.

Now ,Junior Nsembe impresses me but i should think he is on a long deal at Wigan.

[quote="ninearches":192mmdk1]Now ,Junior Nsembe impresses me but i should think he is on a long deal at Wigan.[/quote:192mmdk1] Pretty sure he recently signed an extension.

[quote="ninearches":1xlcm3q7]Now ,Junior Nsembe impresses me but i should think he is on a long deal at Wigan.[/quote:1xlcm3q7] Yeah as Karetaker says a 6 year deal at Wigan. Probably the best 2nd rower in the northern hemisphere RL. Could be a world beater.