Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 13, 2024 10:42 am  

With new investment likely to be announced today (possible at the forum tonight), I think they need a signing to announce alongside it. Byrne would fit the bill of what we are still lacking

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 13, 2024 12:41 pm  

I hope we keep him but I would be interested to see how Byrne would go at a club like Hull. At his best, he is exactly what they need but he isn't at his best enough and it really could go either way. He could realise he needs to lead the way and find that intensity in his game every single week or he could become really comfortable and just drift through full seasons, much in the same way as he drifts through 'parts' of the season here.

It feels pretty simple from our POV. If we have the cap space to keep him, then he stays unless Hull offer up a transfer fee that would be too good to turn down. There is no way I'd be allowing him to walk for nothing unless we need the cap room.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 13, 2024 3:48 pm  

Byrne is the type of player that if he was to leave, we will probably look back in 3 years time saying we should of kept hold off him. But we are stacked with props and if he gets offered a generous deal at Hull, you cant blame him for leaving or the club for accepting a deal. There is definitely a player there as we saw towards the back end of the season so its a tough situation to be in with him.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 13, 2024 9:28 pm  

I'd be disappointed if Byrne leaves.
We have already lost Cooper for 2025. This gives us 5 match day props in Havard, Thompson, Byrne, Mago and Dupree.
After those five we have Walters who can play prop plus Eseh and Chan neither are proven props at Wigan.
Given the attritional nature of props the instances of injury and suspension are almost a given during such a long season.
Surely we can't let one of our five front line props leave as this will mean we be short of experience in that position.
Don't know what his contract situation is but I hope Liam stays for many seasons to come.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 13, 2024 9:35 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

I'd be disappointed if Byrne leaves.
We have already lost Cooper for 2025. This gives us 5 match day props in Havard, Thompson, Byrne, Mago and Dupree.
After those five we have Walters who can play prop plus Eseh and Chan neither are proven props at Wigan.
Given the attritional nature of props the instances of injury and suspension are almost a given during such a long season.
Surely we can't let one of our five front line props leave as this will mean we be short of experience in that position.
Don't know what his contract situation is but I hope Liam stays for many seasons to come.

You've missed out Harvie Hill who I suspect is earmarked for a big pre-season and hopefully a big 2025. That being said - I agree - I don't think now is the best time to be releasing Liam Byrne. He was solid towards the back end - consistency has always been the issue for him. Let's see how he goes in the final year of his contract.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 13, 2024 9:50 pm  

RockNRolla wrote:

This would be a fantastic signing for us. He's exactly what we need but as you say, would have to be a big contract if to tempt him to move over the pennines.

And a transfer fee.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 13, 2024 10:01 pm  

Only way I can see it happening is if the club wants it to. The transfer fee won't be needed and wouldn't be huge. I imagine caps in hand but that could be only reason he moves on.
Think he's out of contract next year so Hull could potentially offer more than us. I still think Byrne could be a late burner at times he's been good because he's not dynamic it's hard to see when he's playing injured. I also think his direct style and tackling position was a problem for him earlier last season and it seemed to knock his and the coaches confidence.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 14, 2024 7:48 am  

Myler was asked about Byrne last night at the fans forum. Thought it was interesting that he said he wouldn't discuss players who are under contract as he could have just shut the rumour down there and then.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Nov 14, 2024 11:06 am  

I think Byrnes off contract after next season.

It’s a similar situation to Partington imo, clubs that can’t produce good young English forward will offer big salaries for them.

Byrne won’t be with us in 2026 I reckon but hopefully he’ll pick up a few more trophies with us in 2025.