I'd say that Tickle contributes more to the [iteam performance[/i per game than Manu. Not as spectacular maybe, which is why he tends to get overlooked. I'd also rate Lynch and maybe Houghton right up there with him and maybe above him for the same reasons.

This is not saying that he isn't one of our top players or that he wouldn't be missed BTW. I want him to stay. Just trying to keep things in perspective.

Clearly....thankfully AP, Bomber & Gentle agree with me, hence pleading to the fans to put the pressure on and throwing big money at him!

That doesn't mean they think he's 'our best player, by a distance', just that they think he's one of our best players and worth keeping. Though not at any price.

Spoken to them about it have you? Care to quote any of them saying this?

Why do you get so wound up whenever someone dares to disagree with you?

Agree Kosh,

Maybe a bit controversial, but the difference in my opinion, is Tickle and Ellis are consistent, Manu is inconsistent.

For mine, we need to sign a better 6 than we presently have. if it was a choice of keeping Manu or,signing a Finch/Chase or a player of that calibre, I'd sign a better 6.

Who is wound up ?

How many players do you know where the owner pleads with the fans to pressure him to stay both in a programme and on FCTV ?

If you read the posts the [imajority [/iwho have watched all the games Manu has featured in over the last couple seasons will agree he is our best attacking player, I personally believe it is by some distance

I'm sure not one FC fan wants him to go or would be happy to see him go, it just amuses me when people try to put a positive spin on possibly losing one of our best assets.
For the record i think he will stay, he obviously does not want to rush into it as it is a big decision for him, possibly his last big deal and he will be waiting to see what else comes along.

But the fact remains he is our best attacking player, and the pleas and money reflect that AP, Bomber & Gentle share that opinion. It is my personal view that it is by some distance, however I understand the value of other top players in the team, Lynch, Houghton etc and I agree they are just as important in the grand scheme of things.

If McKinnon leaves we may have no choice, theres hardly any full backs available we may have to put Horne to fb.

Exactly. The reason why our left side is so feared is because of Manu IMO. Teams have to try and close him down, as such, it gives Yeaman (turner) and Briscoe more space to work in. If we had Tickle down that side i think teams would go man on man, as i dont think Tickle has the same ability to bust a tackle, or to produce an offload.

Had a feeling Manu might be on his way when details about offering him a contract were released to the press, not a good sign.

Still believe there must be a decent chance he will return to the NRL, with the new television deal, players salaries will be much higher then SL, also with the lifestyle, UK based players will be seriously considering their options.

Quote ="Wilde 3"Exactly. The reason why our left side is so feared is because of Manu IMO. Teams have to try and close him down, as such, it gives Yeaman (turner) and Briscoe more space to work in. If we had Tickle down that side i think teams would go man on man, as i dont think Tickle has the same ability to bust a tackle, or to produce an offload.'" No he doesn't.. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012

Quote ="Wilde 3"Exactly. The reason why our left side is so feared is because of Manu IMO. Teams have to try and close him down, as such, it gives Yeaman (turner) and Briscoe more space to work in. If we had Tickle down that side i think teams would go man on man, as i dont think Tickle has the same ability to bust a tackle, or to produce an offload.'" No he doesn't.. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2012

It is not a 'fact' that he is our best attacking player, it's an opinion. And in your original post you said 'best player', not 'best attacking player'.

That he has been offered a big contract to stay does not show that those people think he is our 'best attacking player', it just doesn't.

Shall we just hang ourselves then?

I'd sacrifice Manu for two very good props right now, if we could get all 3 great.

I agree about him and his agent trying to get the best possible deal from the club he can. I think that is now on the table so we will see if that is enough to keep him here, I reckon he'll stay and I'll be delighted if he does. However I won't be crying myself to sleep if he goes.

I prefer Horne to FB, he is more effective there,
but at 6 , our attack appears looks slow and predictable.

What ooc NRL props do you rate? Justin Poore???

The stats don't lie

Neither do they tell the whole story.

Replacing all these players with equal or better ability will be very hard

Exactly. If we offer Manu more than we can afford, the squad will suffer in other areas. We might lose Moa and O'Meley next year, and O'Carroll will probably spend half of it injured. We need props - and good ones, at that.

I agree, Manu is isconsistent and whilst hes had a good run without injuries who knows what round the corner for him as he gets older. Id like him for another couple of years but its not the end of the world if he goes. We may actually sign a better player, you just never know

Your right, his performance on the pitch when he draws in 3/4 defenders at a time tells the rest of the story...

I don't disagree with this, hence the last offer is on the table.

I am sure that Pearson and McRae have worked this out. For example, If we offer Manu 100k, then we have 140k to spend on 2 props (with O'Meley and Moa's wage). If we have to go to 110k, then we have 130k to spend on 2 props. Made up figures obviously but I'm sure they have budgeted for every scenario to ensure that we can afford to strengthen other areas

Again, this proves that he's a very good attacking player, not that he's our best.