Which when you turn it around can also say it is easy to impress when surrounded by world class players.I always felt Wilko got too much praise up to and including RWC 2003.FFS people were calling it Wilko and the rest won it.The England pack in 2003 were fantastic with not just great players but great leaders in abundance.Class 9 in Dawson too.Any 10 not able to look brilliant behind that pack would need to be shot.Ardglass2 wrote:
He does stand too deep for the modern game but if the players around you are playing like donkeys its difficult to impress
I always wondered why Wilko never played for a top club team.It could be that he loves Newcastle but it's more likely because of his one dimensional play.Take away the best pack in years and you are left with a less than brilliant player with brilliant goalkicking ability.
Not that I am saying I don't rate him at all.I think he was very good in a 10 man game and he could tackle effectively.He retains some of that tackling and goal kicking ability but he no longer has a great pack in front of him so he will be exposed I believe.Strange to see the backline England have picked, yet have picked an 8 and 10 for a non open flowing game.Of course he and Flutey may switch around a bit during offensive plays.