Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2021 1:54 pm  

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... t-19910610 Big list of players here.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... t-19910610 Big list of players here.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:02 pm  

In my view Smith should be the starting 7 for most if not all games. OK if Lam wants TL to start in games v Wire, Saints & Leeds then ok, as for the rest Harry Smith should start. TL should be the bench player not Smith.
We already have Hastings and Lam has brought Field in.
The season starts with us having one wingman, Manfredi, and not doubt he'll start on the right side.
Field should start on the wing in the absence of Marshall. OK he's not played there before but playing there at training will give him some idea what's he will be up against. There is also the option to move him to the middle for the last 20/25 mins when the opposition pack and halves are tiring. Doing that at the back end of a game could prove devastating with Field's pace.
This is the overall problem we now have with no centre or wingman cover but a surplus of halves and forwards.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:06 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

In my view Smith should be the starting 7 for most if not all games. OK if Lam wants TL to start in games v Wire, Saints & Leeds then ok, as for the rest Harry Smith should start. TL should be the bench player not Smith.
We already have Hastings and Lam has brought Field in.
The season starts with us having one wingman, Manfredi, and not doubt he'll start on the right side.
Field should start on the wing in the absence of Marshall. OK he's not played there before but playing there at training will give him some idea what's he will be up against. There is also the option to move him to the middle for the last 20/25 mins when the opposition pack and halves are tiring. Doing that at the back end of a game could prove devastating with Field's pace.
This is the overall problem we now have with no centre or wingman cover but a surplus of halves and forwards.

If anyone should move to wing it should be French not Field with Field filling in at 1.

I think as the season progresses we will see Field and Hastings as our halves. Initially I expect it to be TL and Hastings.

I think 2022 we will see Smith combine with Field in the halves as a starting partnership with TL maybe going round 1 last time in a supporting role.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:12 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/wigan-warriors-players-off-contract-19910610

Big list of players here.

Try to keep -

French (outside chance)
Hastings (unlikely)
Gildart (50/50 chance)

Should keep -

Powell (key signing)
Jake Bibby
Joe Bullock

Take a view on

Tommy (1 more year, assuming his form doesn’t slide and his body is up to it)
Isa (see Tommy)
Manfredi (salary expectations and fitness in 2021 dependent.

Release

Clubb.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:44 pm  

Try to keep everyone bar Clubb and probably Tommy. Hopefully Manfredi will prove he can play a full season and make it a no brainer.

Unlikely we’ll manage to hold French and Hastings but you can only try.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:54 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Try to keep everyone bar Clubb and probably Tommy. Hopefully Manfredi will prove he can play a full season and make it a no brainer.

Unlikely we’ll manage to hold French and Hastings but you can only try.

I would assume it is most likely we will be going into 2022 with 2 young halves in Field and Smith.

As long as his body is up to it and his form doesn’t nosedive in 2020 I think Tommy would be worth another year as an experienced backup.

If we somehow manage to keep Hastings though then I don’t think that would be necessary.

There will be a lot riding on the futures of French and Hastings in relation to recruitment/retentions and cap space.

I’m hopeful whatever their futures are be it at Wigan or elsewhere it is resolved very early in the season internally even if not made public so our future planning isn’t affected.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Feb 25, 2021 2:59 pm  

If French and Hastings leave then I'd be hoping that we're making a big play for either a new #1 or #6. A lot will depend on how Field goes, but I'd be happy with some thing like;

1 - Field
6 - Sezer (OOC)
7 - Smith

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 26, 2021 10:20 am  

Just had a look at OOC NRL players for 2021 and there's some big names like Shaun Johnson, Mitchell Pearce, Adam Reynolds all floating around.

Even if we don't land one of these, any moves that are made always sees someone squeezed out.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 26, 2021 10:55 am  

jonh wrote: Try to keep - French (outside chance) Hastings (unlikely) Gildart (50/50 chance) Should keep - Powell (key signing) Jake Bibby Joe Bullock Take a view on Tommy (1 more year, assuming his form doesn’t slide and his body is up to it) Isa (see Tommy) Manfredi (salary expectations and fitness in 2021 dependent. Release Clubb. Gildart's current position https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/oliver-gildart-wigan-warriors-future-19919401

jonh wrote: Try to keep - French (outside chance) Hastings (unlikely) Gildart (50/50 chance) Should keep - Powell (key signing) Jake Bibby Joe Bullock Take a view on Tommy (1 more year, assuming his form doesn’t slide and his body is up to it) Isa (see Tommy) Manfredi (salary expectations and fitness in 2021 dependent. Release Clubb. Gildart's current position https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/oliver-gildart-wigan-warriors-future-19919401

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 26, 2021 12:50 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

If French and Hastings leave then I'd be hoping that we're making a big play for either a new #1 or #6. A lot will depend on how Field goes, but I'd be happy with some thing like;

1 - Field
6 - Sezer (OOC)
7 - Smith

French & Hastings need to come back yet, before we can bother debating if they’re leaving again! March on Monday and no sign of them? Won’t they have to self isolate when back too?