jinkin jimmy wrote:
You are quite correct. Some will argue that a disaffected squad member has a corrosive effect but to hell with that. Make them serve out their contracts I say.
Unfortunately I agree.
Wigan always used to pride themselves on being a club who let unhappy players leave rather than freeze them out of the game. But this honourable approach is only valuable to you if others in the sport deem it to have value.
The current thinking seems to be that it's a weakness they can all exploit.
Time and again - with one or two small exceptions - players have proved that honesty and integrity has no place in their lives, and that contract conditions mean absolutely zilch. They don't even feel guilty about trying to wriggle out of them.
If the Josh Charnley story is true, this is the point where we have to draw a line in the sand.
I'd say it's now more important to Wigan to show the NRL and RU that we are not a soft touch on this matter than it is to having Charnley on the wing or a big a pile of cash as compensation for his absence.
Sorry Josh if you're reading this, but having you rotting in the reserves, and us getting nothing as a result - no big bucks pay-off and no extra space under the salary cap - may be a price worth paying if it sends out a firm message that there's no point knocking on our door anymore while our best players are under contract.
