IMO McShane is going to be a top SL hooker

Clark would be my pick. He's the next James Roby and will be a super player.

A realistic option but also a gamble would be Scott Moore. He needs to grow up by the sounds of it but he's definitely got some talent.

Definitely worth throwing a transfer fee at.

If Cas have designs on becoming a regular playoff team though, they need to stop players like Shenton, Westerman and Clark jumping ship when a bigger club comes calling.

Julian Rinaldi

He's a good scooter. Shame he's an utter prick on the field.

I'd still give Logan a shot before worrying about transfers at that position. We have much greater needs,

Weren't you the one who said we don't miss Hansen??

Maybe 3-4 years ago when he first arrived at Quins

Take a look on another thread regarding Stu Fielden. Many posters have said exactly the same thing about Stu as I did about Harrison.

Keep fishing pal.

I don't like fishing mate. Just trying to work out how much I value you're opinion.

Well refer to when I argued that Sam would be highly effective from FB, this was long before MM played him there.

I got stick last week for laughing at him being in several C&W England first choice 17s for the 4 Nations.

Painfully average and won't be at Wigan in three years time (if he makes it that long).

Let me get this straight - you're saying MM is the third best hooker in SL?

english one...yeah I think he is.

If Wane is coach I bet your wrong. He thinks the world of him.

As for me as i've said he's a good squad player. He's hard as nails and when on form he can get us moving in attack. He won't ever be a superstar but he brings certain qualities to a side that are very handy in big games.

His best game in a Wigan shirt came in a certain game at Old Trafford when he was the best hooker on the field. He was exceptional that night and played a huge part in winning the game for us in the first 20 minutes.

Good quality back up hooker.

+1

Where is this 'back up hooker' coming from? One starts and one comes on in spells they both do their fair share of minutes contributing/impacting on the game.

McM is far down the line of 'the best 9s' in SL let alone RL.

One thing out of that I would agree with is that he's not being used as a back up hooker as such and seems to have an even split with Leuluai when it comes to minutes.

We need to look at that imo. I don't think Tommy is getting enough minutes on the field at the minute.

It's obviously really, look at the team when Tommys on, then look at the team when McM is on. Are our performances effected? Yes, most people in here can see it. Yet people seem to excuse this drop in performance for two reasons, one, cos his defense is solid and two because he's a back up hooker.

Let's look at them two points:

Strong defense-excellent, but what about he doesn't complete the more necessary aspects of the 9 role? Which contribute to the drop in performance? Should they be overlooked cos he can tackle up? No

'Back up hooker?' Why when the time between the two 9 is roughly a 50:50 split? Just because Tommy starts first?

Tommy should be playing around 60-65 minutes a game from 9 imo abit like Monaghan does for Wire.

I'd use Micky Mac both at hooker and in the back row on occasion as he'd give Tommy a breather and he rattles people in defence. I don't know why but you don't seem to keen on quality defenders like Hansen and McIlorum but it's a huge part of the game at the end of the day and it's a quality we've built our side on.

As for the term 'back up hooker' i'd use that because thats what he is. He's 2nd choice in my mind therefore I see him as backup.

Our performance at the start of the GF seemed ok to me.

I'm a massive fan of strong defense and I do admire and rate players who can tackle all day long, any team needs such a player.
All I said about Hansen was he won't be missed. I didn't mean this as a slate on HH but as a nod to the success of our squad meaning we had players who can cover and do an equally good job. In reflection this was justified with the results in HH's absence.
I also have never said anything about releasing McM, I just think we shouldn't overlook his weaknesses in such a key position just because he can tackle. I have often suggested trying him as a back up 13 or in the SR, liking his style to Luke O'Donnell which to me is a big compliment.

I can see this being the justification trotted out for seasons to come.

JUst like saints beat Wigan in the other grand final because Tim jonkers daddied andy farrell, like mm daddied roby.

Where did I say we 'daddied Roby'? Last Son Of Wigan said that McM being on the field sees a drop in our performances. Obviously not the case if you look at the GF performance, the WCC performance, and other notable performances with him in the side. We started him in the GF for a reason.

When he came on on Saturday we barely touched the football because Wire hit a hot streak. IMO it was down to Gareth Hock replacing Harrison Hansen and Prescott/Mossop replacing Lima/Coley. The subs didn't bed in straight away defensively and Wire were able to capitalise.

That's my opinion and some may disagree, but to say that the guy is pretty much useless and should be shown the door is ludicrous.

Who has ever said this? re-read my post, I even discuss trying him in a different position. Not once mentioned showing him the door.

McIlorum has started almost 3/4 of our games this year at 9. Where are we in the league? lol