: Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:49 am  

I dont think Wigan will close the gap dramatically. The first choice 13 looks similar if not a bit weaker than last years with Barretts departure.

If we lose key players they may beat us at the JJB - we owe them a walloping at murrayfield.

Wigans current transfer policy reminds me of the scattergun approach saints had for years when trying to match wigan.

Instead Wigan have let a talent in a key position go in barrett and what have they replaced him with another gamble in smith or blood Tomkins. At the same time your other half has shown his ability at hooker.

It was only when saints focused the money of 3/4 players and made the newlove and later sculthorpe transfers that we raised our game.

I`m not sure saints and bradford initially matched wigan as went past them as wigan fell backwards.

Wigan have always produced good juniors but its far easier to blood them into a winning team or at least around better players.

Regardless of how deep a squad is you can only put 13 on the field and 4 on the bench.

Saints have definatly started to draw the purse strings and the longer the stadium is delayed the more liklihood will be we slip down the league.

But I honestly believe that if wigan start matching saints this year then other teams will be ahead of both clubs.

: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:57 am  

JLM23 wrote:

Your good mate, as I know from our discussions in Australia! But I think there's one or two areas you've cheated in a bit here.

1.) When you signed Leulai you weren't to know he'd be a World Cup winner, If memory serves he wasn't even a New Zealand regular.

I was responding to someone who was saying that signing Leaulia (Who was already a NZ International) was Halting the development of Sam Tomkins. When we signed him Tomkins was 16! At the end of his 3 year contract Tomkins will have just turned 20, thats hardly halting his development is it? Plus it was under another administration!

2.) Calling Phil Bailey an Aussie Tourist after 2 Caps is a bit generous!

But he is/was - ANd plenty people forget our right side centre shipped in around 40 tries the season before Bailey arrived, They didnt do after he came! I would have persisted with Bailey at starting centre last year bringing Goulding on 25 mins into the game and utilising Bailey/J Tomkins/O'Loughlin/Hock as the back 3.
I agree if Bailey was offered a similar contract after his current deal expires then it would be worrying but yourselves have gone out and bought an Overseas player who will be 30 this year? on a 3year contract!
My point is at times Needs Must!

Yes we have retained Gidley for another year, but As im sure you'll agree he was excellent last year, and without him, Gardner was exposed for what he is, in the World Cup. I would much sooner Keep him than play Tyrer.

So Would I if I wee a Saints Fan as Tyrers below SL Average at best IMO, But again the point I am trying to make is that whilst we are criticised for stopping the development of Young British Talent Saints havent done a great deal different, when the 30+ somethings pack in what will happen then?

I have checked your 1st 17 and you have 8 Overseas players, just because Pat Richards played for Ireland doesn't make him Home based We have 6.

I counted Pat, I didnt count Hansen as He's been here since he was born I think???

Yes we may have 3 Over 30's players, however as we discussed One of them is still the best British half back that we can offer, whilst Keiron IMO is still the best hooker around. Yes they are getting on, but at the moment we are discussing this season, and I think both these guys will still do well.

Totally agree with you on the Long thing (As you know from our drunken discussion on the Gold Coast) !
As for KFC yes I agree he will leave a massive Hole (In more ways than one ) when he leaves and finding a "Starting" 9 is going to be hard to do. We may have different views on Roby's progression on this matter.

As for Meli, Please dont mention him, Im hoping the Visa people may forget about him

Why not play a youngster there instead then?

Wigans 1st 17 IMO - average age 25
Saints 1st 17 IMO - average age over 27

I would also ask that as Saints have been undoubtably the most successful team of the last 4/5 seasons is it not worrying that your Youth development doesnt seem that much better than ours considering Saints have had far more opportunities to utilise tham as you have been in a position of strength? Whilst we have had to stave off the Relegation and practically Fight for every point we have Won in the last 3 years?

: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:05 am  

Nah, I'm confident we will beat the Bingo Wings Pa'aleasina and Co all season long, but I have a funny feeling we will meet in the Challenge Cup in the early rounds.

: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:24 am  

It seems alot more possible this year than in previous years.

A lot of humble pie could be dealt out this season to people on here.

: Sun Jan 25, 2009 1:13 pm  

to Answer rogues with Amos Roberts , cameron phelps and Pat Richards at the club how the hell is a player like Ainscough (who from what I hear is a damned good young player) going to get the game time he will need to develop?

: Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:17 pm  

No1 Saint wrote:

to Answer rogues with Amos Roberts , cameron phelps and Pat Richards at the club how the hell is a player like Ainscough (who from what I hear is a damned good young player) going to get the game time he will need to develop?

He wont, he will be shipped off to another club in a couple of years, win a few titles and be declared "no real loss" by the wigan fans

: Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:30 pm  

Eurob0y wrote:

He wont, he will be shipped off to another club in a couple of years, win a few titles and be declared "no real loss" by the wigan fans

You forgot the bit where they were still playing Aussies over for a jolly

: Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:37 pm  

No1 Saint wrote:

to Answer rogues with Amos Roberts , cameron phelps and Pat Richards at the club how the hell is a player like Ainscough (who from what I hear is a damned good young player) going to get the game time he will need to develop?

Ainscough will go to Widnes where all the other unwanted Wigan players go.

: Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:44 pm  

The way they are playing now, no. Thet're losing 18-4 Vs Huddersfield with a strongish team out.

: Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:50 pm  

No1_Saints _Fan wrote:

The way they are playing now, no. Thet're losing 18-4 Vs Huddersfield with a strongish team out.