My opinion of Shenton is pretty well documented on this forum but I would like the pro Shenton brigade to be given a fair crack of the whip. To do this is a simple matter of switching Shenton to left ; he would then get a good share of the ball to prove his worth in the side. I am sure he played left at Cas on numerous occasions so would not be out of position.

Now; it is just a simple matter of persuading Rush to implement the change.

I would love to see him given a chance at L/C.

I was just thinking yesterday that he played left centre at Cas. Perhaps thats why he's no been performing?
I might of course be completely wrong, it wont be the first time!

im pretty sure he was mainly a right centre. Would be interesting to see him at LC if we were planning on keeping him but it looks like the club might be looking to offload

Players will tend to pass where they perceive the greater attacking threat lies. This could be due to the opposition's lack of numbers, running a set play or that the players on one side can create and score more that the other side. My question would therefore be is Shenton's lack of service due to the players on the field not trusting in his abilities? I don't think this is the whole reason but I do think it may be part of the reason. This may be also why he has been given permission to speak to other clubs due to the senior players having an input into tactics.

I think Shenton's main problem is simply that he's just not very good.

I think that's an ignorant viewpoint based on the fact you beat us in the derbies this season. Shenton looked a great prospect at Castleford and played very well for England in his time there. His move to Saints hasn't worked out for one reason or another, but that can happen to players at certain clubs.

His introduction into the Saints side came at the worst possible time really, when we had moved from Knowsley Road to Widnes under a new coach. The team was already in free fall by then with only James Graham's presence preventing the club from struggling to make the play offs. So he's come into a team in transition and took time to bed into the system. Just as he was getting into some form he broke/dislocated his arm in the Grand Final, . So the first half of this season is also quiet as he's coming back from what was a very serious injury. You can still tell he's not 100% after that injury, whether that's physical or mental I'm not sure.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Shenton turn back into an international centre at his next club, whoever that might be. You might mock him, but Wigan could do worse, he's a lot better than Gelling and Goulding who seem to be the rather average future of Wigan at centre.

Whilst that carries logic there is a greater logic which is that the majority of players (90% based on demographic averages) are right-handed and find it easier to pass from right to left. This means that left centres in RL tend to see more of the ball and it is why it is considered to be the attacking centre. Therefore players are more likely to pass this ball in this direction because it is easier for them to be more accurate and effective. It's one of the reasons why youngsters must be taught to spin pass in both directions from an early age.

Clearly Goulding is much better than Shenton this season.

Gelling belongs on the next plane home, in my opinion.

plane?

I think you are right , and its no surprise to see saints fans getting a bit defensive as he was one of their steller signings , the new Matt Gidley if I recall .

Fact is when he was at Cas its difficult to remember him ever having a good game against us , for years he was nothing more than Seniors bitch , cant believe we bid for him when he came available , boy did we dodge a bullet there !

average at very best .

Oh dear



Shenton was ok at Castleford and did well as a big fish in a small pond. We have seen this many times with players and have had more than our fair share at Wigan with the likes of Danny Orr and Denis Moran springing to mind. However even at Castleford I never saw anything that special in him and he always seemed a fairly bog standard centre.

Goulding has been outstanding this season and is the form centre in Super League. He has been our number 1 centre this year, playing far better than Carmont, and has great hands, great defence and scores tries. There is simply no comparison with Shenton.

Gelling has never even played a game of centre at Wigan and I dont know if he ever will as I honestly could not say where his best position would be. Thornley has much more of a chance of taking over Carmonts role than Gelling imo.

Keeping a close eye on him tonight due to us been linked with him. Has had nothing but poor service to him all half, been good in defence though so far.