Re: 7 off contract players : Tue Jun 08, 2021 9:48 pm  

Pie_Eyter wrote:

Don't think i have ever been as frustrated being a Wigan fan. The league has been there for the taking for the last couple of years and we haven't won it with all that talent at the coach's' disposal. It's all a massive failure and a gigantic one if we fail again this year.

Never say never for us but its looking likely that Saints could complete the treble this season and do it without playing particularly well either (so far this season). Very frustrating as without a few key injuries and with an astute prop signing to replace George Burgess it could very well have been us.

Re: 7 off contract players : Tue Jun 08, 2021 10:56 pm  

Bigredwarrior wrote:

Won’t be popular but I’d love to see us bring in another hooker. Powell can never be faulted for effort and tackles like a Trojan but he offers very little in attack.

I think that O'Neil is probably next in line to cover at hooker. He seems to have leapfrogged Amir Borough with his recent performances for Widnes in a struggling team. I would expect to see him getting game time next season.

Re: 7 off contract players : Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:27 am  

Grimmy wrote:

Is Clark not off contract?

Signed on a 3 year deal.....so another season to go after this one!

Re: 7 off contract players : Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:30 am  

Levrier wrote:

I think that O'Neil is probably next in line to cover at hooker. He seems to have leapfrogged Amir Borough with his recent performances for Widnes in a struggling team. I would expect to see him getting game time next season.

A friend of mine is a big Widnes fan and season ticket holder. I asked him about O'Neills performances there, he was full of praise or him.

Re: 7 off contract players : Wed Jun 09, 2021 9:47 am  

MattyB wrote:

Never say never for us but its looking likely that Saints could complete the treble this season and do it without playing particularly well either (so far this season). Very frustrating as without a few key injuries and with an astute prop signing to replace George Burgess it could very well have been us.

This actually gives me hope.

Let's not forget that 4 years ago or so, Saints were a good side but not like the one we see today. They moved on from a flashy FB to one that can create and work the ball, saw a massive development from Thompson & made a couple of "here and now" signings like Taia and Naiqama.

Oh they also moved on from a crap coach who happened to be a club legend.

Now I'm not saying that we'll see that up turn, but there are similarities with the situation we find ourselves in today.

Re: 7 off contract players : Wed Jun 09, 2021 2:28 pm  

Bevan French (potential 1 year option in players favour) - He'll be off
Dom Manfredi - Too injury prone. Get rid unless he plays 90% of all games this season, then 1yr deal.
Jake Bibby - Give him a year's extension
Tommy - Time to retire
Sam Powell - 2 year deal?
Willie Isa - 2 year deal?
Tony Clubb - Not a hope in hell of another deal..

Re: 7 off contract players : Thu Jun 10, 2021 6:57 am  

I cannot remember a season where so many clubs have been chasing so few targets. The uncertainty is likely to lead to some poor decision making along the way with average players being overvalued. Add this to the general feeling that as a club we are just not in control of the recruitment hamster wheel and as a fan I lack confidence in our ability to upgrade the team. It is a worrying position to be in because decisions will need to be made now that will affect us for years. When I hear that we may be in for the likes of Richardson, Mason and Thornley I worry. Although they each have their good points we would be setting out our stall for the next few years and it does not look good.

Re: 7 off contract players : Thu Jun 10, 2021 7:01 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

A friend of mine is a big Widnes fan and season ticket holder. I asked him about O'Neills performances there, he was full of praise or him.

I've heard similar. He's in the right place at the moment though, getting regular first team games. Hopefully, we can start to reap the benefit from next season

Re: 7 off contract players : Thu Jun 10, 2021 7:06 am  

Now that Leigh seem to be having a fire sale is there anyone else who might end up at Wigan. What about the other Greenwood? Is he still there?

Re: 7 off contract players : Thu Jun 10, 2021 7:08 am  

Manfredi has a clear run for the rest of the season as he won't really have much competition for his place. If he stays injury free and shows some decent form then keep him. If he sadly breaks down again then it perhaps makes the decision for us.