I was happy with the debut. He showed some very good touches despite not getting that much service, particulary in the second half which I see as good news.

Once has gets a few training sessions in we'll be able to work on some combinations. I also thought Amos Roberts had a good first half too but again, was let down with not enough service in the second half.

If Gleeson was really that good do you think Tony Smith would have let him go so easily? And remember TS is still the England coach.

Looks like you guys took the bait!

Sadly i worry that we do not have the players to be able to pass to the right hand side to give him a bit of ball.

It is a major concern that he will not get any supply for me. Think he needs time to gell with Roberts but IF we can get the ball to him then the right side may well generate an attacking threat.

It wouldn't trust Tony Smith to make me a cup of tea going off how we went in the world cup let along making judgements on players abilities.

Gleeson wanted to leave end of story.

you ever considered changing your name to Yoda?

So you agree that Gleeson went well then.

With him being a local lad and all

You have embarrassed yourself there

Yes. He went ok,

Nothing special really. He was the 2nd best centre on the pitch tonight.

Anyone will be 2nd best to Gidley...........simply outstanding. His body position when finsihing trys off is superb, he basically drills himself into the turf and makes it vitrually impossible to stop him and even if you get close he'll flick it out to Gardner.

What are you taling about ?

Loughlin and Ainscough where fantastic.

gleeson, considering he hasnt been in our team a week done ok! he was asking vievers at one point what he had to do in the warm up!

I totally agree, by Wigan`s standards throwing the ball stright into touch and failing to beat the first man on a regular basis is a good debut.



Your right, when he does get settled in to the Wigan way of things he will be beltin by knocking on on a regular basis and running round in circles close to the opponents try line.

Think Bailey did ok tonight but i hope Joel Tomkins gets a run inside him as i feel he will provide him with much better service.

Thing is at Warrington we've always gone to the right, whether that be Gleeson, Grose or Kohe-Love before him. Our left centres have always struggled for service, could this be the same your way but reversed?
Is Carmont going to receive all the ball? you seemed to attack that left edge most tonight

You mean you have not worked it out?

Dave

In a word, yes.

Dave

I suppose tbf I was a bit quick there, it did seem you guys highlighted a weakness over there and tried to expose it.
Last year quite a few times at Wire we saw both King and Gleeson pop up on the left hand side at the same time, almost RU style to quite devastating effect. If you could throw hock into that mix you could put on a couple of brilliant moves occasionally on that side.
Lastly I thought tonight whenever Gleeson received the ball there was nothing really 'on'. When the ball was being switched to the right i probably counted 2 dummy runners in total, neither of which looked like doing anything. Contrast that with Saints when Cunningham takes it up near the line with two runners in close proximity, pulls about 4/5 guys in before distributing the ball to Pryce who runs the play in a much healthier position to attack than Leuleui or Tomkins were all night

I thought you went to the opposite side a lot more especially early on, he was never going to have it all his own way on debut in a derby and up against one of the form defensive centres at the minute.

He wasn't great, but he wasn't bad, the key to Gleeson being successful though is getting him early quality ball to work with.

Exactly mate. Six figures my a**e!! Couldn't lace Gidley's boots.

What must Micky Shenton be worth???? and if Gleeson gets in the England Squad on the back of that performance and recent ones for Wire then the RFL are having a laugh.

HOWEVER in his defence, you can't play without the ball. He must have touched it about 5 times!!!.

I thought is was great. We actually look dangerous down 2 sides of the pitch now.

Went alright, now gives us options.

Can't believe the jury (mainly opposing fans) is already out on Gleeson!!

Should some great touches. Looking forward to seeing him in a few games time.

It's going to take a while for the players to get used to having some quality down the right channel. It's been our weakest side for a long time now.

I've said before on the Warrington thread that Gleeson is a class act when he puts his mind to it. He didn't have Fafilli and Hicks near the top of the try scoring charts for 3 seasons without having something to offer, especially the reverse offload.
The drawbacks are well documented, including his propensity to fly out of the defensive line and miss his man and the ball, and his alleged off-field activities.
Get things right with him, and he will still be the England right centre in the future.
Just as long as he has a stinker against us!