Re: George Williams : Tue May 25, 2021 7:29 pm  

cadoo wrote:

Not read the thread.
For me, I would be going all out for him. No brainer. £75K as a club trained player if we can find the space you sign George Williams back.
Top class player. I think he has been excellent in the NRL. Totally unprecedented times with COVID and I cannot blame him for wanting to come back given his personal circumstances.

With Hastings leaving, Tommy close to retiring, French future uncertain and Jai Field still an unknown in respect to how good he is, signing George and having him and Smith at the helm would be an amazing result IMO.

Yes still need a prop, but right now from what I can see there isn't quality sat there available. George Williams IS available. Let's get him. I am sure the club are going hell for leather to get him and I reckon given the choice George would pick Wigan over anyone else.

The challenge is the salary cap. Let's see how we get on.

I agree. If we have to stick with what we have (and that means including Clubb when he comes back) then through gritted teeth so be it.

Re: George Williams : Tue May 25, 2021 7:38 pm  

It would be one hell of a deal to miss out on considering that 75k maximum cap take up. If it has to be now, it has to be now because whilst we might not really need the deal now, we’re desperate for it next season. We can’t go in to 2022 with just Field, Smith and Powell for the 6,7 and 9 positions as there is very little behind them in the academy ready to step up (Brad O’Neil could potentially break through but I wouldn’t think he’d be first reserve and there’s no young halfbacks ready after Smith) I think ideally we’d be looking at Williams and Smith at 6 and 7, Powell 9 and then Field covering fullback and stand off, which would allow Williams to spell in at hooker if needs be. There’s an awful lot up in the air though because that’s all on the presumption that Bevan French will be here. If not than we’ll need a fullback as well or two centres if we move Hardaker to the back on a full time basis.

All fun and games. We don’t do settled squads, that’s for sure.

Re: George Williams : Tue May 25, 2021 8:20 pm  

He will unveiled as a Wigan player within a week.

Just a couple of loose ends to tie up

Re: George Williams : Tue May 25, 2021 9:04 pm  

If he joins in 2021 it would be an interesting combo with Hastings. Assuming Bevan is out for the year, perhaps Jai Field could come in at fullback if the attack isn't flowing with Zak (despite his individual qualities I'm not sure our attack has ever worked that well when he plays there). Lam would also have to decide between Leuluai and Smith as his first choice back up.

Doesn't change our core weakness in the front row though and perhaps including 2021 in a contract for Williams might mean recruiting a prop isnt possible.

Re: George Williams : Tue May 25, 2021 9:28 pm  

His last tackle plays near the line would be very handy this season. They’re pretty dire at the minute, with Smith struggling to get the ball through the line when he kicks and Hastings getting caught in possession. We looked a bit on Saturday like we’ve just decided to run it on the last now and just turn over the ball close to the opposition line.

Re: George Williams : Tue May 25, 2021 10:17 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

His last tackle plays near the line would be very handy this season. They’re pretty dire at the minute, with Smith struggling to get the ball through the line when he kicks and Hastings getting caught in possession. We looked a bit on Saturday like we’ve just decided to run it on the last now and just turn over the ball close to the opposition line.

Its like we gone from aimless kick to the corner tactic to the power play and hand it over close to their own line. I just don't understand why we don't try and make the opposition make a mistake.

It always seems to be the same 'ball handling backs who scoop up any last plays. Instead aim a grubber now and again away from these players instead to the biggest doziest forward on the field. Now and again you will get a repeat set.

You just need a player who can make that play ten seconds in advance. If it doesnt work then nothing lost. They come away from their own line as they would if you surrendered it.

Re: George Williams : Wed May 26, 2021 7:33 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

His last tackle plays near the line would be very handy this season. They’re pretty dire at the minute, with Smith struggling to get the ball through the line when he kicks and Hastings getting caught in possession. We looked a bit on Saturday like we’ve just decided to run it on the last now and just turn over the ball close to the opposition line.

We've done that for a while and TBH I have no issue with it.

If we don't score or get a penalty for them being offside, high tackle etc then we turn the ball over on tackle 1 95m from our line. A disciplined defensive set then puts us in good field position.

Forcing repeat sets and pressure would be my preference BUT if you get the kick wrong then you turn the ball over 80m away and give them an extra tackle. All of a sudden they are probbaly putting in an attacking kick on the last as opposed to a defensive one.

Also under the new 6 again rule we can give a 6 again 1st tackle meaning they have 7 tackles but are still 90m from our line.

It's not "entertaining" edge of your seat stuff but the game just isn't that anymore anyway. Play the percentages and play them well and you win the game. We didn't do that against Hull and lost. They didn't put in the performance of the season as some are saying. They were equally as crap as us but kicked 3 penalties when we gave them easy chances which was the difference because they didn't give them away and when they did we missed the kick anyway.

Re: George Williams : Wed May 26, 2021 8:09 am  

Egg Chasing wrote:

We've done that for a while and TBH I have no issue with it.

If we don't score or get a penalty for them being offside, high tackle etc then we turn the ball over on tackle 1 95m from our line. A disciplined defensive set then puts us in good field position.

Forcing repeat sets and pressure would be my preference BUT if you get the kick wrong then you turn the ball over 80m away and give them an extra tackle. All of a sudden they are probbaly putting in an attacking kick on the last as opposed to a defensive one.

Also under the new 6 again rule we can give a 6 again 1st tackle meaning they have 7 tackles but are still 90m from our line.

It's not "entertaining" edge of your seat stuff but the game just isn't that anymore anyway. Play the percentages and play them well and you win the game. We didn't do that against Hull and lost. They didn't put in the performance of the season as some are saying. They were equally as crap as us but kicked 3 penalties when we gave them easy chances which was the difference because they didn't give them away and when they did we missed the kick anyway.

When Smith came in to the team he has chanced his arm and tried to force repeat sets or set up try’s with attacking kicks on the last but it’s been a mixed bag and that’s being kind. On Saturday we seemed to just can it and decide to run it each time. I get what they’re trying to do but it’s another attacking option that’s been shelved. Lam wants to be an attacking team and claims he’s an attacking coach but we take conservative options at every turn, so his claims make no sense. We don’t look like we’re allowed to offload as a team, we rarely try and move the ball from deep now, instead driving it one up through the middle via the backs and now and again the forwards and we’ve shelved those attacking kick options.

We’re an attacking team that takes the defensive option at each turn pretty much. It’s where Lammy does himself no favours. Stop talking about attacking rugby and just go down the Wane route of talking about ‘detail’ and competing for every inch.

Re: George Williams : Wed May 26, 2021 8:54 am  

I don't think it's "completionist", it's just shows a severe lack of skill and ambition IMO.

If that's how you want to play rugby league then you will lose a lot of fans quickly.

Re: George Williams : Wed May 26, 2021 9:05 am  

Wigg'n wrote:

I don't think it's "completionist", it's just shows a severe lack of skill and ambition IMO.

If that's how you want to play rugby league then you will lose a lot of fans quickly.

You’d stand a chance of fans accepting it if you were at least honest about it and stopped talking like we should expect the Harlem Globetrotters any week now.

We’ve been waiting two and a half years and it looks further away than ever.