Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:24 am  

MadDogg wrote:

I think that's been put to bed now with the statements from both Wigan and Wests.

Will enjoy watching him next year in the NRL.

Interesting decisions for Wigan now regarding recruitment for next year. Hastings gone, Leuluai probably gone, French I would say doubtful to be at Wigan in 2022 and Field with a long-term injury.

There certainly are decisions to be made. It has to be Harry Smiths season to become a fully fledged starter, so it’s just who you pair him with. We all love Tommy but he’s not got enough to his game as a halfback to play alongside a young half or else the young half will be crippled with the burden to create everything. Two names that will come to mind will be two ex players in Williams and Tomkins but both look unlikely, so we’ll need to get moving.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:34 am  

Cruncher wrote:

I doubt there's any chance of that. Got a massive future ahead of him in Aus.

But perhaps we can swoop for the out-of-sorts Jimmy the Jet?

Maybe, according to zero tackle there's quite a few out of contract this season, it would be nice to have next seasons signings completed well in advance for a change

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:48 am  

Well at least it's sorted, hopefully he'll go out a winner with us.
I'd have Hastings and Smith as our starters now it'll only do Smith good to play alongside someone who the spotlight's going to be on rather than expecting him to just take over next year

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:55 am  

They certainly should look to give Harry Smith more starts than last year. I’d probably still go with Tommy for the top end matches and semis or finals but if you’re playing Leigh, Wakey, HKR etc then give him his chances.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 19, 2021 12:07 pm  

hopefully the announcement is the end of the speculation
Lets hope he can go home with a GF winners medal having given his all this season.

he has made no secret of his desire to return home and i think this early announcement will hopefully be best for all parties, and puts an end to the off field distractions. He has achieved what he has set out to do and you cant fault JH for that. he came to the UK to sort himself out and get himself known for his rubgy ability again, which has has done with Salford and Wigan. If he leaves it all out there on the pitch playing for Wigan then i am sure the majority will wish him well when he returns home

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:49 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

They certainly should look to give Harry Smith more starts than last year. I’d probably still go with Tommy for the top end matches and semis or finals but if you’re playing Leigh, Wakey, HKR etc then give him his chances.

I'm glad someone else is of this opinion. It's always a short term risk giving a youngster a shot, but the long term benefits tend to outweigh that if you're smart with what game you put them in (even if the long term benefit is that you realise you're going to need to recruit).

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:00 pm  

Grimmy wrote:

I'm glad someone else is of this opinion. It's always a short term risk giving a youngster a shot, but the long term benefits tend to outweigh that if you're smart with what game you put them in (even if the long term benefit is that you realise you're going to need to recruit).

Chances of a start this week as Tommy is a doubt. It’ll be a good opportunity to watch him play alongside Hastings.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 19, 2021 2:08 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Chances of a start this week as Tommy is a doubt. It’ll be a good opportunity to watch him play alongside Hastings.

I think Hastings should move to the right side and allow Smith to play on the left.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:59 pm  

The pieman wrote:

hopefully the announcement is the end of the speculation
Lets hope he can go home with a GF winners medal having given his all this season.

he has made no secret of his desire to return home and i think this early announcement will hopefully be best for all parties, and puts an end to the off field distractions. He has achieved what he has set out to do and you cant fault JH for that. he came to the UK to sort himself out and get himself known for his rubgy ability again, which has has done with Salford and Wigan. If he leaves it all out there on the pitch playing for Wigan then i am sure the majority will wish him well when he returns home

You’d hope that would put it to bed but a bad run of form or Injury to a West’s half/hooker and I’m sure it will be brought up again, just hope Wests don’t think they’ve got a right to try and muscle in on him early now he’s agreed a deal for next season.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:25 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

I think Hastings should move to the right side and allow Smith to play on the left.

We did this at Cas away last year before lock down (think Tommy played 9 with Powell being out).

Didn’t work well that game but Makes sense to have the left foot kicker on the left.