Out of Contract Players : Sun May 01, 2022 6:26 pm  

According to: https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/every-su ... ubs-52581/ The OOC players at Wigan are Thomas Leuluai, Liam Farrell, Jake Bibby, Ethan Havard, Bevan French, James McDonnell, Sam Powell. I really hope we can keep hold of Havard. I’d be looking to retain Farrell and McDonnell. The rest I’m not so sure about. TL - If Smith continues to impress and is in line for a starting berth next year I’d say he’s worth a player/coach contact as back up. I expect him to retire though. Bibby - Good squad player IMO, I don’t think he’s a starting centre in a title challenging side but a top backup covering the 3/4. That said I’ve no problem him taking a wing spot. At the right price I’d be happy to see him stay. Powell - I can’t knock his commitment & work ethic. He has been a great servant to the club, I feel we can do better. O’Neill has looked at home in the last 2 games though throwing him in a starting spot next year May be a bit much. Undecided, maybe worth a 1 year to see how O’Neil develops. French is the one I’m stuck on. We know his class but with Field signed on he’s a luxury I’m not sure we can afford with a slam art cap. I think I’d rather use his money to try and retain Havard. Looking at the rest of the teams there’s not a lot on offer, certainly a couple of the St Helen’s lot but I doubt they’d move across Billing Hill.

According to: https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/every-su ... ubs-52581/ The OOC players at Wigan are Thomas Leuluai, Liam Farrell, Jake Bibby, Ethan Havard, Bevan French, James McDonnell, Sam Powell. I really hope we can keep hold of Havard. I’d be looking to retain Farrell and McDonnell. The rest I’m not so sure about. TL - If Smith continues to impress and is in line for a starting berth next year I’d say he’s worth a player/coach contact as back up. I expect him to retire though. Bibby - Good squad player IMO, I don’t think he’s a starting centre in a title challenging side but a top backup covering the 3/4. That said I’ve no problem him taking a wing spot. At the right price I’d be happy to see him stay. Powell - I can’t knock his commitment & work ethic. He has been a great servant to the club, I feel we can do better. O’Neill has looked at home in the last 2 games though throwing him in a starting spot next year May be a bit much. Undecided, maybe worth a 1 year to see how O’Neil develops. French is the one I’m stuck on. We know his class but with Field signed on he’s a luxury I’m not sure we can afford with a slam art cap. I think I’d rather use his money to try and retain Havard. Looking at the rest of the teams there’s not a lot on offer, certainly a couple of the St Helen’s lot but I doubt they’d move across Billing Hill.

Re: Out of Contract Player : Sun May 01, 2022 6:40 pm  

Trainman wrote: According to: https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/every-su ... ubs-52581/ The OOC players at Wigan are Thomas Leuluai, Liam Farrell, Jake Bibby, Ethan Havard, Bevan French, James McDonnell, Sam Powell. I really hope we can keep hold of Havard. I’d be looking to retain Farrell and McDonnell. The rest I’m not so sure about. TL - If Smith continues to impress and is in line for a starting berth next year I’d say he’s worth a player/coach contact as back up. I expect him to retire though. Bibby - Good squad player IMO, I don’t think he’s a starting centre in a title challenging side but a top backup covering the 3/4. That said I’ve no problem him taking a wing spot. At the right price I’d be happy to see him stay. Powell - I can’t knock his commitment & work ethic. He has been a great servant to the club, I feel we can do better. O’Neill has looked at home in the last 2 games though throwing him in a starting spot next year May be a bit much. Undecided, maybe worth a 1 year to see how O’Neil develops. French is the one I’m stuck on. We know his class but with Field signed on he’s a luxury I’m not sure we can afford with a slam art cap. I think I’d rather use his money to try and retain Havard. Looking at the rest of the teams there’s not a lot on offer, certainly a couple of the St Helen’s lot but I doubt they’d move across Billing Hill. Would love Ricky Leutele. Gil Dudson might not be a bad move for a year or two. Jacob Miller would be good to replace Leuluai. Tom Johnstone is probably too injury prone but I wonder if some bigger clubs are wondering whether to risk an offer.

Trainman wrote: According to: https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/every-su ... ubs-52581/ The OOC players at Wigan are Thomas Leuluai, Liam Farrell, Jake Bibby, Ethan Havard, Bevan French, James McDonnell, Sam Powell. I really hope we can keep hold of Havard. I’d be looking to retain Farrell and McDonnell. The rest I’m not so sure about. TL - If Smith continues to impress and is in line for a starting berth next year I’d say he’s worth a player/coach contact as back up. I expect him to retire though. Bibby - Good squad player IMO, I don’t think he’s a starting centre in a title challenging side but a top backup covering the 3/4. That said I’ve no problem him taking a wing spot. At the right price I’d be happy to see him stay. Powell - I can’t knock his commitment & work ethic. He has been a great servant to the club, I feel we can do better. O’Neill has looked at home in the last 2 games though throwing him in a starting spot next year May be a bit much. Undecided, maybe worth a 1 year to see how O’Neil develops. French is the one I’m stuck on. We know his class but with Field signed on he’s a luxury I’m not sure we can afford with a slam art cap. I think I’d rather use his money to try and retain Havard. Looking at the rest of the teams there’s not a lot on offer, certainly a couple of the St Helen’s lot but I doubt they’d move across Billing Hill. Would love Ricky Leutele. Gil Dudson might not be a bad move for a year or two. Jacob Miller would be good to replace Leuluai. Tom Johnstone is probably too injury prone but I wonder if some bigger clubs are wondering whether to risk an offer.

Re: Out of Contract Player : Sun May 01, 2022 7:00 pm  

Surprised Farrell is out of contract, would expect some news on that soon? Unless he's looking to do a Tomkins/McIlorum move to France.

Other names that stand out for me are Mathieu Laguerre and Mike Cooper. Not a lot of quality in that list at all, and I think we are maxed out on overseas players for next year as well?

Re: Out of Contract Player : Sun May 01, 2022 8:01 pm  

My thoughts on the positions we need to target keep changing a little. I’m definite on a centre but other than that a lot will depend on who stays/goes. I’d love to keep French but it seems unlikely. If he goes than a winger might well be needed. If Harry Smith continues his current form, then a halfback might not be needed, certainly not an outright starter anyway. The chance to look at O’Neill is really positive as well and we might not need another hooking option if he can provide some spark off the bench when Powell’s back. I’d love a starting prop of the class of a Ryan Sutton or Luke Thompson. That might be a pipe dream but somebody like that really takes us a couple of steps forward as a team.

Re: Out of Contract Player : Sun May 01, 2022 8:45 pm  

Trainman wrote: According to: https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/every-su ... ubs-52581/ The OOC players at Wigan are Thomas Leuluai, Liam Farrell, Jake Bibby, Ethan Havard, Bevan French, James McDonnell, Sam Powell. I really hope we can keep hold of Havard. I’d be looking to retain Farrell and McDonnell. The rest I’m not so sure about. TL - If Smith continues to impress and is in line for a starting berth next year I’d say he’s worth a player/coach contact as back up. I expect him to retire though. Bibby - Good squad player IMO, I don’t think he’s a starting centre in a title challenging side but a top backup covering the 3/4. That said I’ve no problem him taking a wing spot. At the right price I’d be happy to see him stay. Powell - I can’t knock his commitment & work ethic. He has been a great servant to the club, I feel we can do better. O’Neill has looked at home in the last 2 games though throwing him in a starting spot next year May be a bit much. Undecided, maybe worth a 1 year to see how O’Neil develops. French is the one I’m stuck on. We know his class but with Field signed on he’s a luxury I’m not sure we can afford with a slam art cap. I think I’d rather use his money to try and retain Havard. Looking at the rest of the teams there’s not a lot on offer, certainly a couple of the St Helen’s lot but I doubt they’d move across Billing Hill. Tommy - if he gets back fit and continues this years form, I wouldn’t be opposed to another year Farrell - I’d give a 10 year deal. Heart of the club, mode professional, unbelievable fitness, I think he’ll be playing for years due to this. Bibby - possibly harsh but I don’t think he’s improved in 3 years at Wigan. As a winger he’s extremely poor under the high ball and slow. Shown no real skill in the centres so far this year. Understand you can’t have a superstar in every position, so would predict he’ll resign (good to have a local lad considering the amount of quota players we have now) Havard - no brainier hoping for a long term deal but fearing the NRL will swoop. French - I know it makes zero sense with having Field, should not be giving big money to a winger but I just love watching him play. Still doing freakish things this year despite lacking fitness. Would love another season after a decent preseason. I was very wrong on the Field situation but french seems to be saying “he owed it to Wigan to come back and do this year”. Get the vibe he’ll return close to his fam. Powell - Has he critics but some I know will disagree but he’s a must re-sign for me. Is there better hookers out there? of course there is. Do I want him to run more from DH? Of course I do. However Powell has other attributes, leader in the playing group, rock solid in D, has won GFs and knows what it takes. Again I’m a little worried with the signings of all the Australians we could lose our “Wigan-ness”. He’s a coaching staff favourite too. James McDonnell - not seen enough to judge, coaching staff normally get these kind of decisions correct.

Trainman wrote: According to: https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/every-su ... ubs-52581/ The OOC players at Wigan are Thomas Leuluai, Liam Farrell, Jake Bibby, Ethan Havard, Bevan French, James McDonnell, Sam Powell. I really hope we can keep hold of Havard. I’d be looking to retain Farrell and McDonnell. The rest I’m not so sure about. TL - If Smith continues to impress and is in line for a starting berth next year I’d say he’s worth a player/coach contact as back up. I expect him to retire though. Bibby - Good squad player IMO, I don’t think he’s a starting centre in a title challenging side but a top backup covering the 3/4. That said I’ve no problem him taking a wing spot. At the right price I’d be happy to see him stay. Powell - I can’t knock his commitment & work ethic. He has been a great servant to the club, I feel we can do better. O’Neill has looked at home in the last 2 games though throwing him in a starting spot next year May be a bit much. Undecided, maybe worth a 1 year to see how O’Neil develops. French is the one I’m stuck on. We know his class but with Field signed on he’s a luxury I’m not sure we can afford with a slam art cap. I think I’d rather use his money to try and retain Havard. Looking at the rest of the teams there’s not a lot on offer, certainly a couple of the St Helen’s lot but I doubt they’d move across Billing Hill. Tommy - if he gets back fit and continues this years form, I wouldn’t be opposed to another year Farrell - I’d give a 10 year deal. Heart of the club, mode professional, unbelievable fitness, I think he’ll be playing for years due to this. Bibby - possibly harsh but I don’t think he’s improved in 3 years at Wigan. As a winger he’s extremely poor under the high ball and slow. Shown no real skill in the centres so far this year. Understand you can’t have a superstar in every position, so would predict he’ll resign (good to have a local lad considering the amount of quota players we have now) Havard - no brainier hoping for a long term deal but fearing the NRL will swoop. French - I know it makes zero sense with having Field, should not be giving big money to a winger but I just love watching him play. Still doing freakish things this year despite lacking fitness. Would love another season after a decent preseason. I was very wrong on the Field situation but french seems to be saying “he owed it to Wigan to come back and do this year”. Get the vibe he’ll return close to his fam. Powell - Has he critics but some I know will disagree but he’s a must re-sign for me. Is there better hookers out there? of course there is. Do I want him to run more from DH? Of course I do. However Powell has other attributes, leader in the playing group, rock solid in D, has won GFs and knows what it takes. Again I’m a little worried with the signings of all the Australians we could lose our “Wigan-ness”. He’s a coaching staff favourite too. James McDonnell - not seen enough to judge, coaching staff normally get these kind of decisions correct.

Re: Out of Contract Player : Sun May 01, 2022 8:58 pm  

Imagine seeing French at Wire, Leeds, Catalans or Saints? Get him resigned ASAP.

Tommy, he's been superb, another year wouldn't upset me.

Bibby, can't fault his effort, but he's a 7/10 player at best. He doesn't get in a quality back line.

Powell - he frustrates me, for an ex-half back, his running game is non existant and removes a facet of our game that's been missing for a long time.

Faz, 3 years, enough said.

Havard, as long as dam possible please.

Re: Out of Contract Player : Sun May 01, 2022 9:25 pm  

If we can get them on the right terms it’s a no brainier to get them all signed up.

Essentials are Faz and Havard but I’d like to see all at the club in 23.

Re: Out of Contract Player : Sun May 01, 2022 10:06 pm  

Havard I'm sure is on another year option in our favour for next season like KPP. I would be trying to get them on a new three year deals on improved terms.
Faz is a no brainer and if he would sign I would take Bevan on another couple of years.
If we can sort the above along with the progression of Smith we may be better signing a utility player like Ratchford who could cover a number of positions and kicking duties than another half or retaining Tommy though his form until injury has been great. Main one for me if all others mentioned stay on would be a top centre.
Bibby, Miski, ISA and Partington would be two of them from four squad wise, with other young players coming through it would be enough they are all good cover players but Halsall Shorrocks O'Neil already look better options going forward and several other young lads just behind them.
I still would like to see Miski given a bit more game time see what he's like.
A very good centre added to the squad and players developments puts us in a decent place. We have Cust, Field and Smith for at least two more years so halves are sorted. Smithies and Byrne would be the next youngsters to be nailed down for me both are starting to look the real deal. Smithies has improved to a point I don't like him being off the field.

Re: Out of Contract Player : Mon May 02, 2022 12:05 am  

Farrell and Havard should be priority. I’d be surprised to see French get an NRL offer unless he gets back to full fitness and starts tearing it up again and It’d be a huge mistake letting him go to another SL club. I think the majority of fans weren’t happy to see Leuluai get a 1 year deal but he’s proven that he’s still got it and if he comes back from his injury and continues where he left off, I wouldn’t be against giving him another year. I can’t see them not giving Powell a new deal and if/when they do, I’d be very surprised if he turned it down. We can definitely do better than Bibby at centre, wouldn’t be upset to see him go. McDonnell is one I could see being let go, I do think we should keep him because I think he’s going to be a very solid player but if we’re going to be signing 1/2 players to strengthen, I can’t see us resigning all of these players.

Re: Out of Contract Players : Mon May 02, 2022 10:46 am  

The form of Smith makes the prospect of Leuluai playing on one that might suit us really well. If Tommy retired I’d probably want somebody to cover 7 and 9 and who realistically can we get that is as solid as Tommy?! If he’s hungry to continue and he’s happy to play maybe more of a back up role, it might be a goer.