Flower : Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:08 pm  

I just read the interview with Ben Flower, he's upset at losing his starting number.

I know he's been injured alot, but even when he's been fit I've never been overly impressed with him. If you ask me to pick out what I remember from him last season, it's him pulling his face, moaning at the ref looking for penalties, I can't remember any game he's stood out and lead the team, or even broken a tackle.

The report says his contract runs out at the end of next year, given his form, and age, I'd say he needs an incredible season for the club to consider a new deal.

Re: Flower : Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:21 pm  

ChrisA wrote:

I just read the interview with Ben Flower, he's upset at losing his starting number.

I know he's been injured alot, but even when he's been fit I've never been overly impressed with him. If you ask me to pick out what I remember from him last season, it's him pulling his face, moaning at the ref looking for penalties, I can't remember any game he's stood out and lead the team, or even broken a tackle.

The report says his contract runs out at the end of next year, given his form, and age, I'd say he needs an incredible season for the club to consider a new deal.

I can’t see how Flower loses his starting jersey and Clubb keeps his. IMO he is right to have the hump about it, hopefully it puts some more fire in his belly for next season.

Re: Flower : Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:30 pm  

I don't doubt that he works his socks off but last year he was charging in with everything he had and getting mullered each time. Absolutely mullered. Not to mention his injury record.

He probably deserves to feel a bit put out that Tony Clubb replaces him but that aside I don't think he has much cause to complain.

I think its a sign its likely his last year here. The club are (rightly) putting more focus on size in the forward pack and Lenagan in his recent interview has hinted at more changes in the squad for 2021 with a good few players off contract - Flower, Leuluai, O'Loughlin, Burgess, Hankinson, Hastings (if he gets here in the first place!). Gildart could go as well.

Re: Flower : Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:41 pm  

Lets hope it gives him the motivation to have a big year.

Re: Flower : Sat Dec 14, 2019 3:59 pm  

Big year for Ben. Needs to do his talking on the pitch. It can go one of two ways:
-he’ll return to past form and show his dip in form is due to niggling injuries
-he’ll show us he’s past it and needs to be moved on.

I fear it’s the latter. We all have a shelf life. His, as Wigan player night just be up.

Re: Flower : Sat Dec 21, 2019 4:55 pm  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

Big year for Ben. Needs to do his talking on the pitch. It can go one of two ways:
-he’ll return to past form and show his dip in form is due to niggling injuries
-he’ll show us he’s past it and needs to be moved on.

I fear it’s the latter. We all have a shelf life. His, as Wigan player night just be up.

I feel a bit sorry for Ben to be honest. He’s was a very consistent performer for 7 years and was always dependable. After the snapped Achilles at Cas, he’s didn’t really get back to that level but he has been very poorly supported in the front row. FPN didn’t do it, Clubbhas been hit and miss, Navarette the same as Clubb. Bullock came in and started like a house on fire but needs to work on his defence, then got injured. Tautai... enough said!
I think the full preseason was essential for Ben and I hope he can rediscover the form he had a couple of years ago.

Re: Flower : Sat Dec 21, 2019 7:57 pm  

Bigredwarrior wrote:

I feel a bit sorry for Ben to be honest. He’s was a very consistent performer for 7 years and was always dependable. After the snapped Achilles at Cas, he’s didn’t really get back to that level but he has been very poorly supported in the front row. FPN didn’t do it, Clubbhas been hit and miss, Navarette the same as Clubb. Bullock came in and started like a house on fire but needs to work on his defence, then got injured. Tautai... enough said!
I think the full preseason was essential for Ben and I hope he can rediscover the form he had a couple of years ago.

I guess time will tell. He now has the opportunity to blow the others out of the water with amazing performances. Let’s hope he finds great form.

It’s a good reality check for him. No one at the club is Indispensable

Re: Flower : Sat Dec 21, 2019 7:59 pm  

Bigredwarrior wrote:

I feel a bit sorry for Ben to be honest. He’s was a very consistent performer for 7 years and was always dependable. After the snapped Achilles at Cas, he’s didn’t really get back to that level but he has been very poorly supported in the front row. FPN didn’t do it, Clubbhas been hit and miss, Navarette the same as Clubb. Bullock came in and started like a house on fire but needs to work on his defence, then got injured. Tautai... enough said!
I think the full preseason was essential for Ben and I hope he can rediscover the form he had a couple of years ago.

Not disagreeing with you and I hope you’re right but I fear his,and certainly Clubbs time are near the end at Wigan,sport isn’t a place for sentiment as I fear was the case with clubb.

Navarette is another who should be looking for another club in the coming months as he’s had worse games than good and it’s time to move on.

Re: Flower : Mon Dec 23, 2019 10:03 am  

hengirl wrote:

Not disagreeing with you and I hope you’re right but I fear his,and certainly Clubbs time are near the end at Wigan,sport isn’t a place for sentiment as I fear was the case with clubb.

Navarette is another who should be looking for another club in the coming months as he’s had worse games than good and it’s time to move on.

Likewise I feel Flower, Clubb and Navaratte’s time at the club are coming to a natural end. I’d release Nav first out of the 3 as despite his promise and obvious talent he just doesn’t show it anywhere near enough for this level. Clubb isn’t good enough anymore and for him to get a 2yr deal last season was astounding. Flower for me has been in the decline since the GF incident, he’s never been the same after that and lost his aggression. Out of all 3 Flower is my favourite but unfortunately it’s time to move on.

As always I’m open for my mind to be changed and all 3 have the opportunity to do that in 2020 for a lot of fans.

Re: Flower : Mon Dec 23, 2019 12:35 pm  

Flower doesnt seem to have any drive in his legs. Theres not much wrong with what hes doing but his legs seem weak and he rarely managed to go forward after impact. More leg work needed in the off season. If he can fix that then he can be the best prop at the club again.