Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:15 pm  

The Whiffy Kipper wrote:

But why do we have to, Sick to death of re-signing former players, It hardly ever happened in the past, We always had exciting new players coming in, How many times has re-signing players been a success in the last decade?

S Tomkins - Shadow of his formers self, Injured, Couldn't wait to leave once he got fit
J Tomkins - Complete waste of space, The Anus of Wigan incident did us a favour
Mossop - Complete rubbish
Burgess - Bone idle, Couldn't be arsed, Wanted to get back to Oz as soon as possible and let everybody know about it

Have I missed anybody?

I actually think you make a good point although injuries seemed to have a significant impact on the players above after returning.

You would have to imagine that some players would be less motivated in their 2nd stint at a club, particularly if they have already achieved success there / it feels like a step back in time rather than a step forward / they are returning because they have failed elsewhere or at least not had the impact they hoped.

Tommy Leuluai would probably be the exception to the rule.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:15 pm  

The Whiffy Kipper wrote:

But why do we have to, Sick to death of re-signing former players, It hardly ever happened in the past, We always had exciting new players coming in, How many times has re-signing players been a success in the last decade?

S Tomkins - Shadow of his formers self, Injured, Couldn't wait to leave once he got fit
J Tomkins - Complete waste of space, The Anus of Wigan incident did us a favour
Mossop - Complete rubbish
Burgess - Bone idle, Couldn't be arsed, Wanted to get back to Oz as soon as possible and let everybody know about it

Have I missed anybody?

TL hasn’t turned out so bad, has he.
Can’t argue with much of the list above, mind.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:28 pm  

The Whiffy Kipper wrote:

But why do we have to, Sick to death of re-signing former players, It hardly ever happened in the past, We always had exciting new players coming in, How many times has re-signing players been a success in the last decade?

S Tomkins - Shadow of his formers self, Injured, Couldn't wait to leave once he got fit
J Tomkins - Complete waste of space, The Anus of Wigan incident did us a favour
Mossop - Complete rubbish
Burgess - Bone idle, Couldn't be arsed, Wanted to get back to Oz as soon as possible and let everybody know about it

Have I missed anybody?

Let's not confuse opinions with facts here.

Sam - played a big part in a GF win and is still the best FB in SL. We're a worse team without him.
Burgess - Won't ever be accepted as he had the audacity to say he wanted to go back to the NRL. Easily our best winger this year and far superior to everyone's love child Marshall, who gets off far too lightly.

Let's also not forget Tommy and Sarge, who both did well when they came back.

Davies is one of the inform wingers in the comp, he knows the club and area - I actually can't think of a reason why we wouldn't sign him.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:42 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

Let's not confuse opinions with facts here.

Sam - played a big part in a GF win and is still the best FB in SL. We're a worse team without him.
Burgess - Won't ever be accepted as he had the audacity to say he wanted to go back to the NRL. Easily our best winger this year and far superior to everyone's love child Marshall, who gets off far too lightly.

Let's also not forget Tommy and Sarge, who both did well when they came back.

Davies is one of the inform wingers in the comp, he knows the club and area - I actually can't think of a reason why we wouldn't sign him.

You've said let's not confuse opinions with facts and then made a list that is predominantly opinion.

On the balance of risk and reward, I would definitely take Davies back if he wanted to come of course. I think TWK makes a valid point about returning players though - the results have been mixed.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:48 pm  

I get the logic with Davies, assuming Manfredi (this one doesn’t sound too bad) and Marshall return where does that leave him?

Whoever mentioned Mead I think he’s a great shout. Would give quality depth in a number of positions and he’s of an age where long term if there’s a youngster to step up in a season or 2 they can. I don’t know where we stand on overseas player though.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:49 pm  

Results on any signings will always be mixed in truth, regardless of them being ex Wigan players or not. You just want to sign good players and if they’re ex Wigan, ex Wire, ex Saints or whatever, it doesn’t really matter. To say we’d take Tom Davies back isn’t being obsessed with signing ex players, it’s just the position we find ourselves in regards wingers means we could do with one and he’s a good one (not a great one IMO but potentially a realistic signing depending on his situation).

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:51 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I would be trying to re-sign Tom Davies.

Would he come? He left to be first choice, and got his wish. He arguably wouldn't be first choice here if all were fit. Plus I'm not sure we would have the cap space to pick up an established starter. For me we need someone on loan, someone from the Championship or someone who isn't getting a game at an SL or NRL team.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Nov 15, 2020 7:00 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

You've said let's not confuse opinions with facts and then made a list that is predominantly opinion.

On the balance of risk and reward, I would definitely take Davies back if he wanted to come of course. I think TWK makes a valid point about returning players though - the results have been mixed.

You're probably right.

Stuff like "Sam being half the player" he was is very biased tho. We've still not won a GF without Sam in the side and he did play his part in our last GF.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Nov 15, 2020 7:17 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

You're probably right.

Stuff like "Sam being half the player" he was is very biased tho. We've still not won a GF without Sam in the side and he did play his part in our last GF.

How awesome was Sam in 2016 & 2017 after suffering with knee injuries?

In 2018 he had a great season and played his part in the GF but how much of that was down to putting himself in the shop window?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Nov 15, 2020 7:23 pm  

The Whiffy Kipper wrote:

But why do we have to, Sick to death of re-signing former players, It hardly ever happened in the past, We always had exciting new players coming in, How many times has re-signing players been a success in the last decade?

S Tomkins - Shadow of his formers self, Injured, Couldn't wait to leave once he got fit
J Tomkins - Complete waste of space, The Anus of Wigan incident did us a favour
Mossop - Complete rubbish
Burgess - Bone idle, Couldn't be arsed, Wanted to get back to Oz as soon as possible and let everybody know about it

Have I missed anybody?

I don't dispute a lot of what you say here, apart from Sam, who remains a high-quality player and Burgess, who made a fool of himself on his return, but has done well this year (though neither were as good as previously, I agree). But "don't re-sign them because they won't try very hard" can never be a panacea. There will always be exceptions to the rule.

For me, the Tom Davies situation is a bit different from the norm. Tom left because the one position we had well-covered was wing. And then suddenly, one year later, it wasn't well-covered any more. When you talk about players being shadows of their former selves, that certainly applies to Manfredi, and we have no clue what shape Marshall will be in. This season, for the first time in a couple of years, I've been chatting with mates about possible wing signings. Ryan Hall was mentioned, which, early this season I'd have found inconceivable given that he was the size of a prop, and which shows just how urgent the situation had become.

Personally, I rate Tom Davies. I hear what people say about may he won't want to come back etc, but if he does, he wouldn't be a bad signing. After the recent incomings, we surely can't afford another whopping big-name, but a decent and affordable player like Tom Davies would surely not be a bad option.