SFW wrote:
Plenty of talk around the unprofessional way we have gone about some if not all of these 'negotiations'. It's no secret the amount of work Wigan do around this in comparison and whilst they aren't reinventing the wheel it obviously has an impact, particularly on impressionable young players and their families. Hopefully some lessons learned.
There are some whispers around Sambou maybe having second thoughts but the fact they haven't been chosen in the squad for West Hull is telling. I've seen and heard some hilarious flipping of opinions on Vaughan from both sides since Monday, I think he's going to have a good eventually. May lack size currently but can easily see him being a useful, grafting back rower in the Isa mould as you mention above. His attitude and fitness are first class.
One of my work colleagues used to go to school with a former player (now retired) who used to play for Saints, and then signed for Wigan. At that point in time, he was expected to sign / return to Saints because he'd played for Saints and that was the approach that Saints used, and basically put no effort into it. Wigan took him to the club, showed him round, made him feel wanted etc, and he signed for us. I know that is only a specific example, and there's no doubt Wigan wont get it right or do it right with every player, but many when they sign say how Wigan approached the signature and how they are made to feel wanted. on the flip side, i've read one of our youngsters say that Leigh made him feel wanted, but then also thanked Wigan for their assistance in making it happen
re the 2 youngster that have been discussed this week one of my former work colleagues is a die hard Saint, and he was giving Wigan and the young lads loads on Facebook until i explained that neither party had done anything wrong if they do sign for Wigan. He didnt know about the rule change and thought Wigan were being underhand and speaking to contracted players. To be honest i'm not sure i like the new rule, but it has certainly given us all some talking points late in the off season