I thought there was worse behaviour from Ashton. Anyone who travelled to Hudderfield to watch him unwilling to bend down to pick up a kick that came straight to him and then watch through their fingers as he fumbled around with it, even at one point watching the ball go through his legs (!!!!) saw all they needed to about his "attitude". Needless to say, he was substituted soon after. Not sure he even played for us again after that. If he did, he shouldn't have!

That notwithstanding, he was a player with great potential. It was just a shame it was housed in the person it was.

I wasn't agreeing with the shirt incident as such more the statement about the lack of respect he showed Wigan/the fans. As soon as he signed that contract he put zero effort in and Noble still didn't drop him for what seemed like months. Unforgivable, i'd never have him back at Wigan.

Unforgiveable behaviour? Dis-respected the club? Bad attitude?

Maybe so but Gareth Hock isn't exactly a shining little light is he? When he was hoovering the white stuff up his nasal passage he wasn't showing any respect was he? Not to the club, fans or coaches etc etc. What, was he "trying to get 2010 shirt sponsor"? What was Hock's attitude? With what he did it shows it was very poor.

Why is Hock the blue-eyed boy and Ashton the anti-christ? Don't try and spout the 'young and mis-guided' horsesh*t, it won't wash. Ashton was younger than Hock at the time - at least he wasn't taking Class A drugs.

Yes he paraded round in Northamptons shirt amongst other things - but IMHO that pales into little in-significance compared to the Hock scandal.

But for the right money and on Wigan's terms, yes I would have him back. However, it will never happen as his Yawnion career appears to be flourishing.

I'd have him back on a reasonable wage yes. But i dont blame the club for letting him go. We pay the asking price for him at the time would have meant we cant pay other younger players their more reasonable asking price because ashton is taking up a ridiculous amount of the SC, we could have ended up losing someone like Tomkins, Ainscough or Mossop.

You're joking right?

I Bet he's not!

Personally he would have to come back and play for practically nowt for me to consider having him back!

As the poster above mentioned the Huddersfield game away was the Final straw for me! Absolutely Awful, no effort, no heart! I'm not sure which was the worst bit of that game for me but if pushed it would be when he let the ball bounce (Not couldn't get to it, he just let it drop a yard away from him and he didnt have to run, he was stood underneath it) and then let Paul Riley catch it and couldn't even complete the tackle! Riley caught it seciond bounce stood still and then pushed him off! Truly Awful!

Wakey away was almost as bad!

Another poster mentioned him walking along the line behind the defensive line, he did it EVERY week, he was never in position and when any team kicked near our line he was always miles away!
He could only play the game one way, ball in hand, and unfortunatley for him that's not good enough at the Top Level in our game!

I'm not bothered about the shirt thing, not bothered he's gone to union etc etc

I just don't want Bad Apples with questionable commitment and effort at the club, he's one of them!

People keep making comparisons with Hock, and I don't really think it washes. Hock is an established international, who on his day can be an absolute wrecking ball. He's played at the highest level and, while he was always prone to the odd brain fart, was mostly very effective. His loss is a big blow to the club, and people can't be blamed for hoping he sorts himslef out sufficiently to do his time and then return. Ashton might have become a top class player in due course, but it was all unfulfilled potential at that stage of his career. Don't get me wrong, I'd have liked him to stay - but it makes sense for people to grieve the loss of Hock while at the same time feel that Ashton, who as you say will never come back, screwed us over pretty royally.

A fair summary.

The closest comparison to Chris Ashton that I can think of is Lee Smith - good attacking instincts, plenty of pace, dodgy defence and poor temperament. Despite Smith's obvious talent Leeds didn't seem too bothered that he was leaving for RU - by the same account, Wigan shouldn't be too fussed that Ashton is gone. He wasn't by any means the superstar that fans of other clubs would have us believe at the time he left, his poor defensive displays both in terms of positioning and tackling technique were a big contribution to our terrible performances in 2006 and early 2007, which were not fully compensated by his excellent try scoring record from full back.

Notwithstanding the above, I'd have him back if he ever returned to RL provided there was evidence his attitude had matured and his defence had improved, as in that case his support play / pace / try scoring ability would provide an additional threat that we don't have at full back. However I've seen no evidence of the required improvement in his Union career thus far.

If we were given the option of Ashton and Briscoe as fullback for Season 2011 I would choose Briscoe everytime! Run through brick walls that lad...!!

I think the difference between Hock and Ashton, is that Gaz at least showed some of his potential over a much longer tenure with the club and his failings are a personal issue rather than any predetermined intention to cause harm to Wigan. Ashton on the other hand looked to have great potential but needed work to iron out the issues in his game, wasn't prepared to put the required effort in, showed no loyalty to Wigan or RL and instead took the mercenary option of a struggling Union club whilst not offering any effort for the remainder of the season. My main disappointment is that he jumped ship at the first opportunity without paying his dues for the opportunity / development that Wigan had offered him. Whilst I understand that some people are motivated ultimately by money, I just cannot empathise with a young lad who turns his back on an opportunity with his local team, when most players his age would just be grateful to have a first team shirt in SL at that stage of their career.

I'd have Ashton - as with work on his weaknesses, he has much greater potential than Briscoe who is probably at his peak right now.

Why work on a player who has weaknesses (poor defence and attitude) when you could sign the complete player that current England International Shaun Briscoe is? At 26 years of age, he may be in his peak, but nowhere near ready for retirement. If I was IL I would definitely put a cheeky £100K bid in for him at the end of 2010, as he is in his final year. Rumours are he would love to come back to Wigan!

I just don't see Briscoe as a huge upgrade at full back. He's a good player, but as far as England are concerned the best of a bad bunch of options. That's not to say I wouldn't have him back. I just think that Ashton has more potential upside in the long term, given the right set of circumstances.

But then again, what do I know...I still think the Karl Pryce reclamation project is worth pursuing.

I agree with what you say about Hock (ie. respected international, wrecking ball and a very effective player), he was after all, a massive asset to Wigan and after his 'indiscretion' he was and still probably is a huge loss - but IMHO, although Ashton wasn't as established as Hock (and the rest), the things some people are saying aren't warranted towards Ashton.

If anything, it should be worse for Hock for what he did, but in a way I'm glad it's not and I'm glad he is being given support. I think all this 'Ashton back to WIgan' talk is completely un-necessary anyways, he will never be back. Good luck to him in Yawnion, it's just a pity IMO that they are reaping the benefits of another RL trained and rather talented RL player.

Absolutely no question whatsoever, I'd have Briscoe over most SL full backs TBH.

It's always an interesting subject. The Briscoe of his FC days, maybe, the Briscoe of last season at KR - i'd sooner stick with Phelps and work on his defence, which i don't actually feel is as bad as some suggest and has come on a lot. I think it's a lot harder to coach attacking flair, and while Briscoe has got a reasonable try tally this season (after a fairly barren season in 200icon_cool.gif, it's more been just some backing up and being on the end of something that's already happening. Phelps I think has (and has demonstrated) the ability to chip in attack and create something (born out by his try assists - more than Tommy).

I'm also really looking forward to seeing how Veivers does coming through, any views from the regular reserves watchers? I'd probably still take Briscoe on the right money, but for what he's likely to be on at KR (having been poached by them from FC) I think a FB needs to have more to their game e.g. Clint Greenshields or Brett Hodgeson.

How can such rumours be substantiated? I am sure plenty of Wigan born players would like to play for their home town club, but it makes me laugh how most Wigan fans think this is the only variable in such a decision.

The truth is there are a number of other issues: salary, accomodation, mortgages, and effects on family to think of. This is just scraping the surface, but each one contributes to the decision as to where a player will sign.

I'm pretty sure Briscoe has said it himself.

Sorry. The implication I got from the original poster (and a view often posted by many on here) is that he is desperate to get over here, quoting 'rumours'.

We don't need rumours to tell us that someone like him would [ilove[/i to play for Wigan, however understanding where he'd [irather[/i be contracted when considering all the above variables is a whole different kettle of fish.

You're probably right. If he was genuinely 'desperate' to play for Wigan, he'd be playing for us. But he has said several times that he'd like to return to Wigan - much as Deacon said that he'd only leave Bradford if it was to come to Wigan.

There is a difference, but I'm not sure it's worth making an issue of.

I would love to have him back personally, it would be a good step up from any player we have had there since Radderz, he is a top player and a Wigan lad. He plays for Hull KR like he has played there all his life, imagine what passion he would put in for his hometown club.

Right now though, I am chuffed with Phelps and I am sure he can improve even more. There is no one better returning the ball in super league right now and he comes into the line like Greenshields.

Even though the prospect of an England international and Wigan academy product returning is appealing, I'm going to predict that come the end of 2010, the vast majority of Wigan fans will be extremely reluctant to see anyone but Cameron Phelps in the fullback position. It may end up being a necessary change due to the quota but nonetheless I see Phelps going from strength to strength in that position. Pace, agility, playmaking skills, commitment - a bit more work on defensive positioning and I think we may have a gem on our hands who would be as good as anything in SL in that position.

Got to say, I have a similsr feeling. Just hope we're right!

who cares?
most warriors fans dont give a monkeys about what hes doing.
he lost all respect when he kicked us in the teeth by posing in a northampton shirt , whilst still a wigan player.

god riddance, i dont care if he flops or succeeds, ive lost interest in him and am sick of reading posts on here about him.

not being critical of mods, but shouldnt this be in other sport section so we dont have to read it?
and i have only read the first 4 or 5 posts , and im not reading any more.

Quote ="Steinlager"How can such rumours be substantiated? I am sure plenty of Wigan born players would like to play for their home town club, but it makes me laugh how most Wigan fans think this is the only variable in such a decision. The truth is there are a number of other issues: salary, accomodation, mortgages, and effects on family to think of. This is just scraping the surface, but each one contributes to the decision as to where a player will sign.'" news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 116482.stm Quote Would you ever consider a return to Wigan? We know you left to get more game time and now the full-back position is open at Wigan would a return interest you? Trevor Unsworth, Newton le Willows Wigan are my hometown club and long-term I'd love to play for them again, so I would never say never. But I don't know if they need a full-back at the moment because I think Cameron Phelps is doing a good job for them. I'm really enjoying myself at Rovers and I'm trying to help them build towards success. '" Also saw another piece in the press with him quoting similar during last season, in addition to the things you hear on the street which are unsubstantiated. Let's just say there's more chance of him coming back than there ever was with Longy. Plus, Long term - Why the hell would anybody WANT to live in Hull.....??

Quote ="Steinlager"How can such rumours be substantiated? I am sure plenty of Wigan born players would like to play for their home town club, but it makes me laugh how most Wigan fans think this is the only variable in such a decision. The truth is there are a number of other issues: salary, accomodation, mortgages, and effects on family to think of. This is just scraping the surface, but each one contributes to the decision as to where a player will sign.'" news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 116482.stm Quote Would you ever consider a return to Wigan? We know you left to get more game time and now the full-back position is open at Wigan would a return interest you? Trevor Unsworth, Newton le Willows Wigan are my hometown club and long-term I'd love to play for them again, so I would never say never. But I don't know if they need a full-back at the moment because I think Cameron Phelps is doing a good job for them. I'm really enjoying myself at Rovers and I'm trying to help them build towards success. '" Also saw another piece in the press with him quoting similar during last season, in addition to the things you hear on the street which are unsubstantiated. Let's just say there's more chance of him coming back than there ever was with Longy. Plus, Long term - Why the hell would anybody WANT to live in Hull.....??