Re: Drinkwaters performances : Sun Jul 01, 2018 2:00 pm  

I don’t think Drinkwater is a bad player at all and I do think he’s a better scrum half than Powell or Woods (at his current stage of development). I disagree that prop is our priority position to strengthen. Scrum half is by far our weakest position as has been said many times, I don’t think Powell has created a single opportunity this season.
With the poor standard from Sarginson since his return coupled with Bateman’s likely departure I’d even say centre should be prioritised above prop. We still have Flower, Club, Tautai, Navarette, O’Loughlin, Field, Wells, Bretherton etc. who can play prop but very limited cover for centre. I’m in the camp that thinks Burgess could be converted to a top quality centre but that’s a different debate. I’d prioritise as follows.
1 - scrum half
2 - centre
3 - prop

Re: Drinkwaters performances : Sun Jul 01, 2018 2:25 pm  

I feel with drinkwater he could be the sort of under the radar signing that could work for us. He's the right age that with some quality players and coaches around him he could really kick on and plus can't really be a backward step from what we are producing now as Well as his wages wouldn't be sky high

Re: Drinkwaters performances. : Sun Jul 01, 2018 3:17 pm  

He has only recently turned 21 years of age. Unless we have irons in the fire to sign a proven scrum half from somewhere I would hope we will be making a bid to get him here. He has been a revelation at Catalan and if, at other clubs previously he has not set the world alight, remember for most of that time he has been a mere teenager. We need a scrum half and we will soon need a goalkicker. Drinkwater could be the answer on both counts.

Re: Drinkwaters performances : Sun Jul 01, 2018 3:35 pm  

Drinkwater would be a brilliant signing IMHO. He’s been a revelation at Catalans in what is, on paper anyway, a strong side. I certainly wouldn’t turn my nose up at him, especially given who we currently have at #7.

On a side note, I noticed some comment bemoaning the lack of Aussie talent with them being replaced by English talent. 10-15yrs ago we (not necessarily just Wigan fans) were crying out for less Aussies and more Brits. Can’t have it all ways! The improvement in our national side has been stark.


On the flip side the money needs to improve definitely but that shouldn’t mean we set our sights to the NRL every time we want a decent player or coach for that matter.

Re: Drinkwaters performances. : Sun Jul 01, 2018 3:35 pm  

Singing Warrior wrote:

He has only recently turned 21 years of age. Unless we have irons in the fire to sign a proven scrum half from somewhere I would hope we will be making a bid to get him here. He has been a revelation at Catalan and if, at other clubs previously he has not set the world alight, remember for most of that time he has been a mere teenager. We need a scrum half and we will soon need a goalkicker. Drinkwater could be the answer on both counts.

Drinkwater has just turned 26

Re: Drinkwaters performances : Sun Jul 01, 2018 4:09 pm  

Do we feel our lack of performance from our scrum half is down to coaching.

2013-2016 Matty Smith

2017 - Tommy L

2018 - Powell

Can’t remember a time in all them years where’ve they’ve thrown a really money pass for a try. So little try assists come from our number 7. Just seems to be a bit of a passenger role, just pass it to lockers or stand off if we’re going left. Or pass it to the Full back if we’re going right.

Interesting to see if it changes with a new coach.

Re: Drinkwaters performances. : Sun Jul 01, 2018 4:39 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

Drinkwater has just turned 26

Yes I am sorry. I wrote that when I looked him up on the internet and thought I saw that he was born in May 1997. Turns out it was 1992. Must go to Specsavers. Oh wait a minute I do go to Specsavers. Must change my opticians.

Re: Drinkwaters performances : Sun Jul 01, 2018 6:48 pm  

I think I’m in the minority that actually didn’t mind Matty Smith at #7. He certainly wasn’t special but he was a solid kicker and organiser and him and GW complimented each other well IMO

Re: Drinkwaters performances : Sun Jul 01, 2018 8:25 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

I think I’m in the minority that actually didn’t mind Matty Smith at #7. He certainly wasn’t special but he was a solid kicker and organiser and him and GW complimented each other well IMO

to some around here that is akin to blasphemy you might like to put on a tin hat and hide in a trench somewhere (ps I don't totally disagree)

Re: Drinkwaters performances : Sun Jul 01, 2018 8:51 pm  

It’s all about opinions and I’m firmly in the opposite camp! Apart from his effort, Smith was truly awful but this debate has been done to death!