If he wasn't our best prop forward in 2009 before he got injured who was? Andy Coley was playing awful and had been demoted to the Reserves (in place of O'carroll), Fielden wasn't exactly on fire (getting smashed around at home to Castleford?) and Feka was just Feka. Sure he was making go forward, but was way too overweight and unfit & was a liability in defence. I'm genuinely curious who you thought was performing better. The general consensus from Wigan fans at that time (see the O'carroll injured thread) was that Eamon was our best performer.



I agree with you that MaGuire will probably still pick Paul Prescott, but I would imagine that O'carroll must still be in the back of his mind with his outstanding performances in the Reserves (according to Rogues). His loose carries are still an issue and could hamper his long term prospects at prop forward for a championship winning side (just as 'in theory' O'carroll's size apparently will).



And as for the final comment, every game we need to win. Mike MaGuire should pick the best team available and that is not a team picked on paper, or having preferences or sticking with experienced players - it's picking at team ,on form, who deserve their spot. IMO O'carroll should get a game against Les Catalans with Paul Prescott making way for him. You disagree to that is fair enough.

I never said people were calling him rubbish, but people are putting the mockers on him. They are completely ignoring his performances in Super League when coming out with statements like 'he will never make it with his size' when he clearly is capable of playing first team rugby at this level. He was great last season before he got injured. Short memories some people have. Ignore his size, ignore his age, ignore any comparison with Prescott and just concentrate on his performances on the pitch is what I say.



He held down a regular first team place for the first 7 weeks of Super League before he got injured. On that basis I think he has the capabilities of doing so. But you also contradict yourself in your statement you have said:





But then go on to say, in the very next sentence!







Unless I have misunderstood what you have put - which one is it?



Teams that are challenging for titles - you're right - wont come knocking for him, but what makes you think they will for Prescott? The top teams seem to be able to produce their own forwards anyway or are generally not interested in young forwards because they dont reach their peak till later on in their careers. Either way I don't see what relevance it has, but FWIW, O'carroll was getting pestered to go and play for Ireland again after a very impressive World Cup, where he stood his ground against some of the worlds best. However the lad decided it was best to get a good pre-season behind him and have a good season with us. I say give him a shot!

Exactly. I don't buy into Eamon O'carroll being too small at all. I think it's complete rubbish - why? - because it has never been a problem when he has played for us in Super League.

I didn't contrdict myself I said this

"I believe O'C will play quite a bit of SL However at the Top Level I think he will struggle to hold down a Regular Front Line Position.

He could however easily play Many Years as a 1st team regular but IMHO teams that want and are challenging for Honours won't be knocking our door down for him?"



Which meant that at a Top Club Challenging for honour he Won't hold down a regular Front line Props position (Meaning ourselves Hopefully)

However

At a club that is mid-table, less pressurised etc (Don't want to be disrespectful & name clubs) He will play SL Level.



I never said that Clubs will knock down the door for Prescott, I just think if you asked other clubs to pick one or the other more would pick Prescott than O'C IMO?



My frustration with this thread is more to do with the fact that some people who, and their entitled to their opinion of course, Like O'C and IMO are looking to manufatcure a reason for him to get picked in front of Prescott.

As others have said, his game time is more than Feka's, MM has picked him over O'C so he must rate him, His yards per carry are up there with the others & his errors are the same as Fielden and far less than Coley who everyones raving about?

I don't get where this Loose carry thing comes from? Yes, he has dropped 1 ball a game but then again so has each of the other forward if not more?



Top Line



If O'C gets picked this week, fair enough, it won't keep me up at night worrying over it and if the team keeps winning there will be no-one happier than me!

If Prescott/Fielden/Feka are rested to accomodate him as MM feels that rest will benefit that particular individual down the line then Go for it.

I just think Prescott has done pretty much everything that has been asked of him and I don't see a reason to "DROP" him as some of the other posters have intimated earlier due to him not performing.

This will upset Brian but here goes!

He says O'C is playing well in the reserves, well so are a dozen others! Even Pryce according to Brian!



I think Carmont has been "Average" by his own standards this year, do we drop him for Pryce?Goulding?etc

I just want to know what other posters think Prescott has done wrong that O'Carrol will do better? If MM picks Prescott over O'C this week again what do we do then next week? Break up a winning team to accomodate any one of the dozen players playing well in the reserves (Albeit mostly against kids so far this year) and "Drop" players who have been performing at a higher level that obviously agrees with MM or he wouldn't have picked them the following week?

Injuries will happen, 1 of the props will miss at some stage this Year and if O'C comes in and performs to a higher level that warrants him staying there you will not get any complaints from me.



But that's where I slightly disagree with your last bit in BOLD as I don't see where O'Carrolls "FORM" has been proved to be better than Prescott's or any of the 3 other props (And Mossop TBH) as they have won 3 games out of 3 as a Unit and none of them have performed badly IMHO?



I do agree that certain fans like certain styles of players and are more impressed by a particular style of player rather than anothers and as you say "Fair Enough"!





O'C doesn't Float my Boat as the saying goes where he obviosuly does it for other Posters?

I was at the Ireland v Samoa game at Parramatta and O'Carroll was the outstanding prop that night against some very big forwards.



I think what we'll see is Maguire using two out of three of Prescott, O'Carroll and Feka in rotation, as long as Fielden and Coley are performing as well as they are at present.

I also think we'll see the same with Joel, Hansen, Bailey and Mossop.



It's a great "problem" to have.

Hmmmm!



IIRC there was someone else there that same night as well



As you already know Brian O'C isn't my cup of tea although I have never "bagged" him.

I just don't like to see what I believe to be unwarranted criticism of 1 player just to try and get anohter player into the team.

As I've said before O'C will get his chance & again as you know I will give him my 100% support when he does play, plus I don't think he is a bad player in fact I know he is a "Good" player.

He is also a Valuable "Squad" player, I just don't see him as a Frontline Prop when the others are fit.????



As for it being a "Great" problems to have, then my thoughts are well documented.

I said at the start of last year that our "Squad" was as good as it had been for 5 years or so, with the development of some of the 21's and the improvement in some of the 1st team players we are seeing for various reason I think it's as good as anything out there?

We may not have as many "Superstars" as say Leeds or possibly Saints, but our "Squad, IMO is as good if not better than both!

When injuries etc do kick in, I thnk we will cope FAR BETTER than most clubs.

We'll find out tomorrow!



O'Carroll on bench





Feka & Hansen drop out the 17

Why Hansen?

Don't shoot the messenger!

Shoulder problem?



I heard Mossop was doubtful.

On bench, Bailey starts with JT in 2nd Row



Check your PM's a bit of info for you on the way!