Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:55 pm  

thepriestman85 wrote:

I'm not getting this whole ‘our imports are going to have to be of the highest quality soon to justify their places. It’s BS of the highest order.

Even when the quota comes down to its minimum of three overseas players I doubt any team will have three top class overseas players in their squad. No team currently in SL has what I’d call three world class foreign players in their squad. Some like Leeds have Buderus and arguably Webb but then I’d hardly call the likes of Ali Lauititi or Eastwood as being in the same class as Buderus? How often is it that we’ve had three top foreign players in our squad at the same time?

So why is it going to be any different now? All of a sudden are these top class players going to be coming over on cheaper wages or something?

Piggy,
Roberts
Bailey

All this talk of Phelps being in jeopardy is crazy. We want to get rid of the most improved player in SL last season as well as him being arguably the inform FB for the 2nd half of the season? Some people say he’s overrated but imo it’s the complete other way around.

If Phelps plays like he did last season then he’s well on course for being our FB for the next 6-8 seasons easy.

Big ali and Eastwood are top class, Leeds have got it spot on. But I do agree that we can't have so many top class stars from aus and NZ. Best way to do it is to build a team and then fill your gaps with top class players, most teams try to fill with top class players and fail and let young players fill the gaps.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:01 pm  

Big rumours on Mike's forum that Gareth Hock has been handed a 5 year deal!

Incredible if true.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:04 pm  

Odemwingie wrote:

Right now he justifies a spot more than Roberts and Riddell, I'm not saying that because I'm moaning about overseas players, on last season he was better than them both. Bailey is another one, if quota spot players must be of the highest quality, no offence, but he certainly isn't, I like the guy and what he does for the team but he is hardly a top player.

I potentially agree but they are not on 1 year deals, Phelps Feka and Bailey are and are naturally the most vulnerable.

The others have longer term deals and cannot simply be released unless both parties agree.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:06 pm  

cadoo wrote:

Big rumours on Mike's forum that Gareth Hock has been handed a 5 year deal!

Incredible if true.

Your kidding surely that deserves its own thread?

Don't know what to say.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:31 pm  

Odemwingie wrote:

Your kidding surely that deserves its own thread?

Don't know what to say.

I do. Its fabulous news.

[Pemps]

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:40 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

I do. Its fabulous news.

Is it?

Discarding the issues surrounding why he was banned, do you think it's a good idea to sign someone who's not played the game for 2 years on a 5 year contract 6 months in to his ban?

Who knows what he's lost mentally and physically in that period.

Anyway, we can't sign someone who's serving a ban fro a drugs offence. Not allowed by WADA or the RFL.

I'm not saying we shouldn't re-sign him but I'd imagine we'd have a good look at him and assess the situation when his ban is served.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:54 pm  

Pemps wrote:

Is it?

Discarding the issues surrounding why he was banned, do you think it's a good idea to sign someone who's not played the game for 2 years on a 5 year contract 6 months in to his ban?

Who knows what he's lost mentally and physically in that period.

Anyway, we can't sign someone who's serving a ban fro a drugs offence. Not allowed by WADA or the RFL.

I'm not saying we shouldn't re-sign him but I'd imagine we'd have a good look at him and assess the situation when his ban is served.

Why not? He's a fantastic player, was the best 2nd row in the league IMO. If we dont sign him some other club like Wire or Saints will snap him up after his ban no doubt about it. He wont be on a massive wage either for those 5 years.

If rumours are true he has been given a new life and a chance to start again, if he doesnt take it and run then thats his loss, its a great move from us.

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:56 pm  

Pemps wrote:

Is it?

Discarding the issues surrounding why he was banned, do you think it's a good idea to sign someone who's not played the game for 2 years on a 5 year contract 6 months in to his ban?

Who knows what he's lost mentally and physically in that period.

Anyway, we can't sign someone who's serving a ban fro a drugs offence. Not allowed by WADA or the RFL.

I'm not saying we shouldn't re-sign him but I'd imagine we'd have a good look at him and assess the situation when his ban is served.

Seems a little long to me also. Don't get me wrong I'm glad he's signed but it just seems a very long contract for someone who has been out of the game for 2 years. I'm assuming it'll be some sort of gentlemen's agreement between Hock and the club.

[Pemps]

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:57 pm  

Mother Feka wrote:

Why not? He's a fantastic player, was the best 2nd row in the league IMO. If we dont sign him some other club like Wire or Saints will snap him up after his ban no doubt about it. He wont be on a massive wage either for those 5 years.

If rumours are true he has been given a new life and a chance to start again, if he doesnt take it and run then thats his loss, its a great move from us.

Read my post again.

I've not said we shouldn't re-sign him. I've said we should look at signing him after his ban. We CAN'T sign him at the moment, he's banned from the game.

[Pemps]

Re: Rumours and signings 2010 v1 : Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:00 pm  

LovesToSpooge wrote:

I'm assuming it'll be some sort of gentlemen's agreement between Hock and the club.

Personally I don't think a gentleman's agreement is needed (It's also not really worth the paper it's written on. Ask Longy and Muarice). He's been in trouble in the past and the club have looked after him. That should count for something and we should have first refusal for his services. That being said, if someone offers him twice the money that Wigan do, then I wouldn't blame him for going elsewhere.