: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:45 am  

Don't personally no why we don't go for more Kiwis such as Adam Blair, you'd think they'd be easier to attract over here with not being able to play origin, plus unlike the Aussies the you can still play for the kiwis without playing in the NRL.

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

Read the article, reeks of NQ trying to tempt us to make a move for him, they don't want him.

Neither do I, sorry Mr Webb!

Thats the feeling I got from the article, it more or less states that they want to free up salary cap space in which to sign there more up and coming players on longer contracts, and with them saying that they haven't had any contact with Wigan for a while that can only be a good thing for those of us who dont want to sign him.

: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:51 am  

Reading Kris Radlinski's book gave people an insight to which overseas signings came across as most beneficial and influencial to the club.

Carl Webb is a very good player, but I'd like to see us sign players who not only make a big impact on the field but also on the training pitch and around the club in general setting standards in regards to the players culture. To me, Carl Webb can't tick all those boxes.

Kris mentions Craig Smith and Quentin Pongia in particular who it seemed to get their team mates respect and young players found them intimidating yet influential. Players like that don't just improve a side physically, they improve it mentally before you even set out on the pitch on the training ground and in changing rooms.

Ruben Wiki would have been an outstanding signing for Wigan and it's a real shame we couldn't get him. Despite his age, I think Nathan Cayless is the type of player and person that this club and team would benetfit from rather than a fiery-type, rebelious badboy like Carl Webb.

: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:12 pm  

ABP' wrote:

Players like that don't just improve a side physically, they improve it mentally before you even set out on the pitch on the training ground and in changing rooms.

I just mentioned the same kind of thing in the consistency thread.

Our younger players aren’t going to reach their potential unless they serve their apprenticeship in the right environment imo.

We need the type of players like Pongia, Smith, Farrell, Clarke, Edwards & Radders were.

: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:44 pm  

How deseprate are North Queensland to get rid of Webb?

They have 3 props they want to sign up for next year but can't do that with Webb on the books and they want rid to any mugs who'll have him(or thats how i'm seeing it).

Stay well clear or even better go and put good offers to a couple of their other props they'd rather keep before Webb to really p*ss them off!

: Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:06 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

How deseprate are North Queensland to get rid of Webb?

They have 3 props they want to sign up for next year but can't do that with Webb on the books and they want rid to any mugs who'll have him(or thats how i'm seeing it).

Stay well clear or even better go and put good offers to a couple of their other props they'd rather keep before Webb to really p*ss them off!

I think you speak from the heart, and that this is a valid point. But I can't help laughing at the notion that Carl Webb isn't good enough for Wigan.

We're near enough at the bottom of SL, and one area that we've all identified as a big weakness is our front row.

At present, I'd have any prop forward who runs hard and damages the opposition. Even if he only did one of those two things, it would be a big improvement on the clowns that we've currently got.

: Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:19 pm  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

Cayless is 'fading' but defo could still be a good prop in SL.

But more importantly he would bring character, leadership, aggression and a fight to win attitude which we desperately need.
Currently we're lacking these sort of players, especially in the pack.

Much in the same vein as Pongia was when Mike Gregory signed him. No longer at the top of his game but the invaluable attitude, dedication and leadership he brought more than compensated for his short falls.

That’s not to say he didn’t play well for us either!!

It’s sad thinking back to when Mike Greg was in charge as we truly were on the cusp of something good imo. A truly great man, who had the potential to be a great coach and was held in the upmost regard by his peers.

His loss and the subsequent Milward era have caused so many massive problems that we are still trying to sort them all out.

He was putting the building blocks in place for another good Wigan team imo.

: Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:26 pm  

thepriestman85 wrote:

Much in the same vein as Pongia was when Mike Gregory signed him. No longer at the top of his game but the invaluable attitude, dedication and leadership he brought more than compensated for his short falls.

That’s not to say he didn’t play well for us either!!

It’s sad thinking back to when Mike Greg was in charge as we truly were on the cusp of something good imo. A truly great man, who had the potential to be a great coach and was held in the upmost regard by his peers.

His loss and the subsequent Milward era have caused so many massive problems that we are still trying to sort them all out.

He was putting the building blocks in place for another good Wigan team imo.

I agree with all of this.

Pongia was/is still one of my all time favourite Wigan players. He was well past his best but every time he entered the field the team lifted as did the line speed and intensity. He came with a reputation of being a top class hard man, and never had to prove it as players actively avoided confrontation with him.

Cayless i do not think has the same reputation, but i agree he is capable of doing a job and has other attributes that will add to the team, my concern is that i am not sure he could do it for 2 years. He does seem to be deteriorating pretty fast season by season, but the one thing that could be on his side is the slower less intense SL comp.

It all seems to have gone quiet on O'Melley not sure what his situation but i would expect you could get him for the same wages roughly as Cayless and think we has more to offer, if we sign a dominant leader at half.

: Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:27 pm  

thepriestman85 wrote:

It’s sad thinking back to when Mike Greg was in charge as we truly were on the cusp of something good imo. A truly great man, who had the potential to be a great coach and was held in the upmost regard by his peers.

His loss and the subsequent Milward era have caused so many massive problems that we are still trying to sort them all out.

He was putting the building blocks in place for another good Wigan team imo.

Possibly but IMO Gregory's lack of tactical nous would have been his downfall at Wigan.

: Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:42 pm  

we need petero

: Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:46 pm  

jonh wrote:

I agree with all of this.

Pongia was/is still one of my all time favourite Wigan players. He was well past his best but every time he entered the field the team lifted as did the line speed and intensity. He came with a reputation of being a top class hard man, and never had to prove it as players actively avoided confrontation with him.

Cayless i do not think has the same reputation, but i agree he is capable of doing a job and has other attributes that will add to the team, my concern is that i am not sure he could do it for 2 years. He does seem to be deteriorating pretty fast season by season, but the one thing that could be on his side is the slower less intense SL comp.

It all seems to have gone quiet on O'Melley not sure what his situation but i would expect you could get him for the same wages roughly as Cayless and think we has more to offer, if we sign a dominant leader at half.

On the pitch I agree, but Cayless is a captain and natural leader, O Meley is not. I feel off the field we'd benefit more from Cayless. I think he could be the answer to our front row issue. Depending on our CAP it may also be possible to bring in another SL prop as well.