: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:23 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

We need additions to the squad, not replacements.

According to one respected member of this board and sources of mine that have since confirmed it, we may well have signed one very good frontrower. But I believe we need at least two quality additions to the forward pack with no departures in this area.

Would that be for the remainder of this season or for next year.

I,d be happy with either if it is a quality player.

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:52 pm  

Random Male wrote:

olol

Laughing out loud at the high estimation Wigan fans place on Owen Farrell only makes you look an even bigger plonker than the rest of your posts put together, which, though you've only managed 48 so far, actually takes some doing.

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:04 pm  

Newton Pie wrote:

Would that be for the remainder of this season or for next year.

I,d be happy with either if it is a quality player.

For 2010.

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:10 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

For 2010.

Cheers , hope you are correct.

: Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:47 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

For 2010.

UK or NRL based?

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 7:13 am  

cadoo wrote:

I hope the Bradford match demonstrated why we should not re-sign Andy Coley and Phil Bailey (More so Coley than Bailey).

We need to improve in this area not remain 'consistent'

I'd keep Coley but not Bailey tbh.

I think we need to keep hold of Coley because he's solid and you know what your going to get from him. If we let him go and then signed another Fielden who was having a nightmare we'd look in very poor shape.

Keep Coley to have the option of playing him second row and using a huge pack against the bigger teams and bring in at least 1 if not 2 props.

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 7:41 am  

AJ wrote:

UK or NRL based?

sod that, give us a name!

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:06 am  

[Gareth] wrote:

sod that, give us a name!

Billy Boston now thats a name

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:11 am  

Andy Greg wrote:

Billy Boston now thats a name

not quite what we are looking for at prop though

: Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:53 am  

Whatever happens regarding Bailey one thing the club should not do IMO is just release Bailey and not replace him.

We have a very young squad and in particular a very young but promising set of forwards. I think it is crucial for their development that they have experienced professionals around them to look up to and to take some of the weight off their shoulders so they can show what they can really do. We saw with Lee Mossop on Sunday how he struggled playing a big, touch and experienced Bradford pack alongside a very young Wigan pack. Joel Tomkins (22) Harrison Hansen (23). I don't think we can afford to lose Phil Bailey and Gareth Hock - and just have Sean O'loughlin with young kids. Saints are so successful in bringing youngsters through because they have a good environment and the right squad to do it. We have seen the results they have had and we need to do the same.

I don't think we should re-sign Bailey I think we should replace him though with someone with experience (which Bailey has) but of better quality. Bailey is just a solid player, which is not a bad thing but from an overseas player (even though he will come off the quota) you expect better and I believe he is one of our top earners. Six figure salary I have heard from people on this board. He is not worth that.

David Kidwell and Frank Puletua are both off contract and would be ideal. They wont come cheap but with Phil Bailey's and Gareth Hock's wages we should be more than capable of being able to afford one of these players while being able to re-sign our best youngsters. Now I understand it is really easy to just throw names into the hat and there is much more to it bringing one of those players over. Visa being granted, past injures, if they want to come over, will they settle etc etc

So if for whatever reason we can't bring in anyone this season then we can't just release Bailey and go with Mossop, Tomkins, Hansen and Lockers for me. We need an experienced head to take some of the pressure off the young lads. So only on an one year extension and (if rumours are true) a reduced salary would I re-sign Bailey. We are better off with Phil Bailey for a season, if we can't find a replacement than releasing him and not finding a replacement and just throw all the kids in with a young pack.