What I like about Phelps is that he links up very well when in attacking position and creates the overlap on either side which is why we have seen both wingers and centres score alot of tries since he's settled in at fullback. Very similar to what Webb does for Leeds, still has plenty of things to work on in positioning but I'll be very happy with him as fullback for the next few years if he continues to show the same form.

You are joking? It was Noble who brought Flanagan with him in the first place from Bradford. Flanagan is still only 21, and watching him last year in the reserves he didn't seem quite ready for SL just yet, this year completely different. Noble has done everything correct with Flanagan.

Mathers one on one tackling last night was as bad as it's ever been.

He looks to be more confident then he was in his time here but thats a part of his game that'll never be fixed up.

The Wire fans talk about the deal they got being unbelievable because of how poorly they think Gleesons been for us but in truth Gleeson has been solid and is improving whilst we've also found an out and out fullback in Phelps who is a better player then Mathers.

Everyones happy.

You cant say that, Noble doesnt know how to deal with youngsters.

It just shows that some of the posters on this message board dont know their backside from their elbow.

Flannigan would not even be at Wigan only for Noble!

He has, should he continue to develop, he will rightly be here for many years.

Phelps-looks good in attack, couldn't catch his dick in his fly.

Not safe under a high ball.

IMO something he needs to work on, but who better to work on it with his than Rads.

Agreed. But look at the state of this thread. It's always a case of extremes, either a player is terrible etc or he's outstanding, there's no middle ground.

Phelps is doing well in attack but not proven as a FB, a good half will kick him all over the park.

Some middle ground is needed on this one.

It is true he does look shaky under the high bomb BUT do you remember Kris Radlinski when he first started playing fullback? He couldnt even get near a high ball yet he made himself one of the safest catchers of the bomb ever to play RL.

It's the one thing he needs to work on but it's not been a major issue so far for us.

I think you could count his dropped high balls on one hand since he's moved to fullback which is no more then a guy that most people reagrd as superleagues best in Brent Webb.

We're talking about Phelps, just because Radz became a top FB doesn't mean Phelps will. Radz is just an example. There are other examples of FBs who never got any better under the high ball.

Radz and Phelps are two different people. It's not suprising Phelps is good in attack, he was a 6 in Aus, this is no masterstroke.

Phelps seems about 50/50 on his catches and positioning. he's dropped catches in nearly every recent game.

50/50?

Not a chance.

Like i say about 5 in total since he's moved to fullback and not all of these have resulted in knock ons.

he's not solid at FB by any means. People in here need to calm down, everything is an extreme.

Agreed, that's what I was getting at with my previous post. We get too giddy when players are playing well and too critical when they hit poor form. We build them up to knock them down.

Rads is an example of someone who was terrible under the high ball in his first games at fullback but practised and became good. It is not unreasonable to think that with practise Phelps can improve under the high ball as well.

What do you mean this is no masterstroke? I fail to see why you have to throw that in. Is that some kind of dig at Noble or something?

I don't think it's extreme to judge him as our most improved player and one of superleagues form players.

Imo thats exactly what he is.

Spot on. If catching the high bomb is his only fault ill take that for the amount of trys hes set up since moving to fullback. His effort and determination running the ball back are also second to none.

He is making that shirt his own by all means he's got some work to do on his game but lets not forget he's played there how long?

For the time he's had he's doing a very good job

He was excellent from what I watched of the game. His inter play in attack is excellent. Far better than Pat Richards when he was at fullback. It comes of no surprise that with a settled set of backs we start to see better performances from them all. Finally Noble has got out of the habit of switching players round for little reason and we have also had luck with injuries.

Pat Richards has improved for me moving out on the wing. He looks far more dangerous taking the ball forward than he did previously. It was great to see him take his winger on (for a change!) last night as well. He is quick Richards and should have the confidence (that Sean Ainscough has) to back himself sometimes down the wing.

Back to Cameron Phelps he still has areas to work on and improve on. But with the rest of the season at fullback under his belt - a full pre-season with Radlinski I think we will see continued improvement from Cameron Phelps. If he could tighten up his positional play and support play he will be a brilliant player for Wigan.

He has been brilliant but I would still hope to get Briscoe as soon as he is off contract.

briscoe is yesterdays news young phelps is an excellent all round player.

Briscoe really wants to come back to Wigan and we should never of let him go in the first place, but I guess we had no choice. Phelps is brilliant but Briscoe can come back for me.

What gives you that impression?