I think they like players who can if needed play 50-60 minutes without break and not become a defensive liability. He was dragged off in the Saints game after being caught napping on the wing for the Meli try.

That does seem to be the preferred type of player. Madge doesn't sub by the clock and if things are going well doesn't seem to take people off for the the sake of it or for a rest. So if you can't do the minutes I don't think he is keen on such players.



So why wasn't the winger taken off who's job it was to cover the wing? Roberts made a mess of the situation as well so I don' think it's fair to drag a player off when others were equally at fault.

Dave

Because Roberts didn't just stand there and watch Meli. All Feka had to do is what Paul Wellens did against Leeds on Friday when Hall kicked past him.
Feka almost waved Meli past him, when, had Feka taken a step to his right it would have been enough to stop the try.

Feca will play in the reserves game on Sat.

Even if Feka makes the match squad against Salford, this season he's rarely played more than 15 minutes before warming the bench for the rest of the game so what point he can prove in a short space of time remains to be seen. Madge wants 13-man rugby for 80 minutes out of his team. With Feka on the field that isn't possible

TBH I think MM has made up his mind regarding Feka. Unfortunately he probably will move on, IMO it's best all round. I don't think he is the type of forward MM want's in the squad.

IMHO this season I have to rate Fielden above Feka (before someone says it I KNOW that Feka hasn't featured much). Just from what I've seen from them both I think Fielden is a more rounded player and one I would certainly offer a 2/3yr deal to.

I agree that the decision on Feka has been made and he'll be gone at the end of the season. I think he had clearly put alot of effort into pre-season but it hasn't been enough for Madge. Some of the decisions Madge has taken this season where Feka is concerned couldn't have made his thoughts any clearer if he'd put a bilboard up in the town centre saying: "I don't rate Feka much".

we've got to trust the coaches on this one

I have been very critical of feka in the past, yes it was good to see a barnstorming run (maybe 2) a game, but there is a lot more team work involved in a game of rugby

defensively he is weak and is targeted by smart teams i.e. Warrington CC Semi last year, Saints and Leeds in games this year

with Fielden, Coley, Prescott and O' Carroll we have 4 props who can do their fair share of work. With Mossop and poss Hock (rumours depending), we will have plenty of cover in the front row, along with Ben Davies coming through

Will wish him all the best if he does move on, but better have gone in the past and we have coped

Good post.

If Feka goes it will be a shame, but Fielden has had a fantastic season so far, lets hope it continues. I am new to RL fans site but have followed Wigan for many years. Keep up the good work you Cherry & Whites

The only way he should stay is if he signs a "Pay as you play" contact. £10 per minute on the pitch should be about right!

Maybe then he'll up his stamina levels and manage 20 minutes on the pitch out of 80!

He wont be proving a point if tiny tim is correct on the other thread as he isnt playing

He needs to stay just for THAT try he scored on the 2nd April

The only way Feka can prove his worth to the team is by game time and i am afraid he aint going to get much of that under Madge , unless we have a spate of injuries .

The form of Stu Fielden makes him a cert for a new contract , Coley too if he can be persueded . Not a lot of room left with the young lads comming through .

You mean like not having Coley or O’Carroll available and not selecting Davis in the 19?

Three front line props out and Feka still can’t get a game? Is he really that bad?

Yes.

OT, but it winds me up when people who are fans of the team can't even spell their names right. It's Maguire, not McGuire, MaGuire, or any of the other spelings we see.

Ok, back to the subject at hand. Looks to me like Feka's days are numbered. He's come on a lot this year for me, but it seems his face just doesn't fit. I'll be sorry to see him go, but I'm kind of resigned to it now, seeing how he has been used this year mainly in the reserves.

Feka is a good player, but he is only being played for 10 minutes at a time which isn't long to show what he can actually do out there. I would also like to point out that it's not Feka that decides when he comes off the pitch, so for all the slating people are doing of him for only being on a short while, leave off!!

He's only being played for 10 minute spells because that is all he's effective for both in attack and defence. He's been taken off when he's made a costly mistake and there's a worthwhile replacement for him on the bench.

Defence wins games.

Agreed, and with a coach like Maguire in charge, not being able to defend effectively and properly isn't going to get you a place in the team. He's improved on last year in defence, but he's still the biggest weakness we have there.

Part of me agrees with what both of you are saying. Madge has a system and he prefers guys like Fielden and Coley over Feka as they fit the way he sets his team up.

The problem I’ve got is that Coley and O’Carroll are both out and with Wire coming up next week I don’t want to see either Fielden and Prescott do more than they should. I’m also worried about our impact from the bench with both Faz and Tuson as although they are good players they just aren’t props.

If he didn’t like Feka then he should have picked Davis imo

Maybe he's regarding Mossop as a prop. 3 props should be enough against Salford.

He's gone for fitness (again)
Look at the starting pack last week
Apart from Coley they were all 24 or under, with Farrell and Tuson still under 20.

That's the only way it works for me, but Fielden's coming into this week on the back of 2 hard games, one of which he was the only 'senior' prop on the park in Coley's absence.

As much as Maguire may view Feka as a liability in defence, I think that's more beneficial than going into the game with only 2 recognised Props (assuming he does). For me, the bottom line this week is if Feka's in the 19 he should play. We don't need our Forwards tiring out ahead of next week.

What about Davis then? For me tonight would have been a perfect opportunity to give the guy his home debut.

As much as I’ve been impressed with Tuson over the past few weeks now that Hansen has returned his work man like role in the side has been filled.

As harsh as that seems we no longer have an injury crisis at 2nd row but we do slightly at prop.