Re: Bateman leaving confirmed : Mon Dec 26, 2022 9:40 am  

F Bateman

Re: Bateman leaving confirmed : Mon Dec 26, 2022 9:42 am  

Yeah yeah, there are cap considerations etc. but lets be real, the main reason we can't get in a replacement is that our quota spots are full up (and very questionably used in the first place).

I said before that I've been pretty disappointed with Bateman this time around, and wanted more pace/power and hard running in the second row, but obviously this weakens the squad and we're hoping KPP kicks on another gear or two this campaign. But with him off as well, I hope we're already looking and planning for 2024 and what recruitment might have to look like and freeing up quota spots so we can look at the whole market.

Re: Bateman leaving confirmed : Mon Dec 26, 2022 9:49 am  

I’m glad we’ve not rushed and got an inadequate replacement.

Squad wise we’d be in the same situation should Bateman have gotten a serious injury in preseason.

He’s been going through the motions since his return to the club away.

I’m excited for KPP to get a full year at right second row.

Re: Bateman leaving confirmed : Mon Dec 26, 2022 10:01 am  

Well on the positive side Bateman has played seven years at Wigan and has provided the club around half a million pounds of transfer fees. KPP will get a run in his best position and having someone at the club who doesn't want to be there helps no-one. Do we also now save a marquee spot/salary? That combined with the transfer fee would take a significant chunk out of the debt forecast for next year.

On the negative side Bateman is clearly not someone who honours his commitments - has he fulfilled a contract with any club in his career? It leaves the club with a squad that isn't as strong as it could have been for the season start and the quota issues make it difficult to recruit.

I think this provides further evidence that bringing back players from the NRL has flaws - just imagine if you were asked to return to one of your previous jobs in your career. Personally I would feel flat and demotivated.

Re: Bateman leaving confirmed : Mon Dec 26, 2022 10:38 am  

Having a marquee spot freed up is useful, no need to panic buy. KPP to second row.

Re: Bateman leaving confirmed : Mon Dec 26, 2022 11:02 am  

He's not set the world alight in his second spell. To have his wage off the books and a significant fee received for a player who was not worth what he was being paid is a good deal for the club.

Re: Bateman leaving confirmed : Mon Dec 26, 2022 11:32 am  

Did we keep James McDonnells receipt?

I’d be trying to get him back asap or Matty Nicholson and use KPP in Batemans position with Nsemba/McDonnell/Nicholson or even Beardsworth as back up.

Re: Bateman leaving confirmed : Mon Dec 26, 2022 8:23 pm  

As an outsider I do think not weakens Wigan, as though not the player he was, is as fierce a competitor as there is. I know Who I’d prefer to have in my team in a playoff game from Bateman or KPP…….

Re: Bateman leaving confirmed : Mon Dec 26, 2022 8:24 pm  

Shabino wrote:

As an outsider I do think this weakens Wigan, as though not the player he was, is as fierce a competitor as there is. I know Who I’d prefer to have in my team in a playoff game from Bateman or KPP…….

Re: Bateman leaving confirmed : Tue Dec 27, 2022 12:34 am  

Shabino wrote:

As an outsider I do think not weakens Wigan, as though not the player he was, is as fierce a competitor as there is. I know Who I’d prefer to have in my team in a playoff game from Bateman or KPP…….

Personally, I'd rather have a 27-year-old Ellery Hanley, but that choice isn't open to us either.