: Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:54 pm  

odemwingie wrote:

I see your point, in that case why not go for Dobson. Dobson and Tomkins would be a great partnership, Dobson would take so much pressure off Tomkins.

Good point. Thats what Im getting at. British player would be ideal but someone like Dobson who we know is tried and tested in Superleague would be better than someone like Bailey who appears to be average anyway before taking into account he has to move over here and adapt first before we see what he can do.

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:55 pm  

W!64N_ENTHUSI45T wrote:

Out of interest. If were going to pay a transfer fee and it seems people on here agree that going for a British player in that instance is better who would be best for our situation (taking into account a reasonable transfer fee)

British SL halfbacks off the top of my head

Burrow
McGuire
Pryce
Long
Cooke
Briers
Brough
M Smith
Eastmond
Wheeler
Myler
Ratchford
Orr
Brown
Robinson
Deacon
Bridge

Which of them realistically (fee-wise) would be worth trying to sign?

Would to see a tomkins/Eastmond partnership at wigan

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:59 pm  

wigan_knight wrote:

Would to see a tomkins/Eastmond partnership at wigan

Me too but it would be how much Saints would want to let him go, thats assuming they would do so, which TBH I doubt they would. Regardless of whether Wheeler and Lomax are both progressing too Eastmond still looks a big part of Saints's plans

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:01 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

Matty smith could easily become your version of sean long, without the attitude

I actually quite like Smith, a solid player with a very good kicking game and I'm guessing his future at Saints is pretty much over, plus he's British so I'd certainly give him a go and he's always impressed me when playing for Celtic.

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:06 pm  

W!64N_ENTHUSI45T wrote:

Me too but it would be how much Saints would want to let him go, thats assuming they would do so, which TBH I doubt they would. Regardless of whether Wheeler and Lomax are both progressing too Eastmond still looks a big part of Saints's plans

They have 4 fighting for 2 spots

Wheeler and lomax i believe have just signed new deals, there not going to let Pryce go. Eastmond i dont know what hes contract situation is

Heard hes a wigan fan and the assurance of the 7 shirt could make him think about it...Very long shot i know

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:40 pm  

wigan_knight wrote:

Its a prop thats vital for wigan alot more than a scrum half..i've been impressed with tomkins and tommy this last few week. they seem to me to be building a good partnership together.

I wont be upset not seeing a new halfback next season but a props a different story.

I agree. who knows, they could be exellent behind a stronger pack. Tommy seems to be gaining the one thing i have thought he has lacked over the last few years. that being his attacking awarenes or "vision". the cash should be spent on two domanant forward with at least one being a Prop.

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:41 pm  

LovesToSpooge wrote:

I know it's not an easy job to run a large business which Wigan RL effectively is and yes there are probably many reasons why we seem to miss out on quality signings, and I was and still am willing to give Lenegan the benefit of the doubt. However seeing this is a forum where people come to express opinions regarding the club I can't help but feel the way I do when we are linked no one, or players that we as fans feel aren't good enough for the Wigan shirt, whilst Saints are linked with Watmough and Kite. Yes I know being linked with a player through the paper means very little but if those are the type of players Saints are targeting and Wigan are chasing the players we think they are, how the hell do we ever expect to progress as a club on the field. As a fan all I want is the best for the club like everyone else, and yes I know we haven't signed anyone yet I just hope that those we do sign are up to the task, we as a club have been stung to many times in the past by overseas players and I want to see the end of it.

To be fair though, two of the ones who stung us most were Matty Johns and Stuart Fielden, who were both regarded at the time as real marquee signings. Whereas signings made that no-one got excited about - like Brian Carney and, to use today's team as an example, Pat Richards and George Carmont - turned out to be very useful acquisitions. So 'big name' doesn't necessarily equate to 'good', or 'unknown' to 'crap'.

I agree with what you say, but I get the feeling that IL went to Aus this summer to perform some due diligence on potential signings. If he discovered that certain players were viewing a stint in GB as part of a retirement package, then I'm glad he didn't sign them - even if it meant him coming home empty-handed.

We should remember that he also seems to have gone over there with the intention of signing of Carl Webb. It then turned out that Webb had a conviction that would probably prevent him obtaining a visa. I don't think we can blame IL for that, though many people do. I wonder how they'd feel if he'd then done a 'Maurice' and, as part of a damage limitiation exercise, spent ridiculous money on the very next player (David Vaeliki) who came wandering along.

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:56 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

To be fair though, two of the ones who stung us most were Matty Johns and Stuart Fielden, who were both regarded at the time as real marquee signings. Whereas signings made that no-one got excited about - like Brian Carney and, to use today's team as an example, Pat Richards and George Carmont - turned out to be very useful acquisitions. So 'big name' doesn't necessarily equate to 'good', or 'unknown' to 'crap'.

I agree with what you say, but I get the feeling that IL went to Aus this summer to perform some due diligence on potential signings. If he discovered that certain players were viewing a stint in GB as part of a retirement package, then I'm glad he didn't sign them - even if it meant him coming home empty-handed.

We should remember that he also seems to have gone over there with the intention of signing of Carl Webb. It then turned out that Webb had a conviction that would probably prevent him obtaining a visa. I don't think we can blame IL for that, though many people do. I wonder how they'd feel if he'd then done a 'Maurice' and, as part of a damage limitiation exercise, spent ridiculous money on the very next player (David Vaeliki) who came wandering along.

We don't need a big name we need a few good players. Our whole team is not very balenced IMO. It is starting to cause problems for signing players this year.

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 7:17 pm  

So which players in super league would you add.

We need a prop, so who would it be?

We need a half and possibly a back rower to add experience.

I have a strong hint paul Johnson is returning on a 2 year deal from wire as depth.

Who else will we sign based on the overseas restrictions?

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

: Sat Jul 18, 2009 7:31 pm  

There should be more than enough flexibility with Hock now out and other contracts ending to sign a world class halfback, a world class prop, another aggressive forward and get rid of the mediocrity at the club. You don't need to be Wayne Bennett to see we are crying out for all three next season.

This will be the next fans forum if we go and balls up the recruitment once again..........