Re: rl : Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:40 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

If the Bailey rumour is true then we can probably afford him as the squad stands now.
If the Graham rumour is true then a massive wage earner will have to leave.
Wasn't Graham quoted as saying he'd "come to Wigan for Fielden's wages."
I can believe it about Bailey, Graham still seems a bit far fetched but so did the thought of Fielden signing before he arrived.

If what Graham has said, in your post, is true then so be it. A RL career is only short and a player must earn his worth IMO. I just hope if he did sign, that he wouldn't fade away like Fielden has done.

Even if one of Bailey/Graham were to sign, we'd have 6 props on our books with one coming through from the academy (Ben Davies) that makes for 7. Something, or should I say someone, like it or not has to give.

: Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:46 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

You gee'ttin' a source?

I'm glad we're after some new props, especially Graham although I doubt he'd leave Saints. Question I have is who would we release/sell-on?

Fielden?
Feka?
Coley?
O'Carroll?
Prescott?

Say we were to sign Bailey and Graham - 2 out of the 5 names would have to be released. So who would you choose?

For mine it'd be Coley and O'Carroll. Although I know alot of people will choose Fielden and A.N. Other. Only reason I'd keep Fielden is for his workmanship in defence, plus I actually want to see how he fares under Maguire.

I would honestly expect for at least one of Fielden or Feka to move on considering all the conjecture on here about the wages they're supposedly on.

Graham is gonna want a wedge wherever he moves on to, I wouldn't have thought Bailey is gonna take up a massive slice of the cap but would obviously still not be on peanuts!

If I'm honest I can't see either of them being a real goer, Saints ain't gonna sell to us and surely Bailey wouldn't pass IL's due dilligence testing?

Also if Graham was going to move on surely he'd be off to OZ?

: Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:51 pm  

Riggs Warrior wrote:

I would honestly expect for at least one of Fielden or Feka to move on considering all the conjecture on here about the wages they're supposedly on.

Graham is gonna want a wedge wherever he moves on to, I wouldn't have thought Bailey is gonna take up a massive slice of the cap but would obviously still not be on peanuts!

If I'm honest I can't see either of them being a real goer, Saints ain't gonna sell to us and surely Bailey wouldn't pass IL's due dilligence testing?

Also if Graham was going to move on surely he'd be off to OZ?

That's certainly what I'd be doing if I were him. Play like he has been doing for the past few seasons and a transfer to the NRL won't be far away.

: Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:56 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

That's certainly what I'd be doing if I were him. Play like he has been doing for the past few seasons and a transfer to the NRL won't be far away.

Depends whether he's bothered about the ££ or the rugby. He'll get a lot more dosh over here.

Re: rl : Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:20 pm  

MattyB wrote:

Yet IL reckons Mr Pryce has the potential to be 'World Class'.

MattyB wrote:

I'd just be happy if he knuckled down and became 'Wigan Class'.

Used to mean the same thing

: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:57 pm  

I would take James Graham in an instant. He is probably the best prop forward in Super League and the metres he makes alongside the number of carries is simply staggering. He would be one of the few players who could make it in the NRL IMO. So if there is any slight possible chance we could sign him or make him available - go for it!

But all that said it just isn't going to happen.

Ryan Bailey on the other hand is a much more realistic target. Never liked Bailey, always thought he is a thug and one of those players you would love to see get owned. He's nasty, always getting little digs in and is right in your face which at the moment we need. So on a short term contract I would be quite pleased with Ryan Bailey. We would be stronger with him than without. Competition for places is a positive thing.

: Tue Oct 20, 2009 10:48 pm  

Riggs Warrior wrote:

I would honestly expect for at least one of Fielden or Feka to move on considering all the conjecture on here about the wages they're supposedly on.

Graham is gonna want a wedge wherever he moves on to, I wouldn't have thought Bailey is gonna take up a massive slice of the cap but would obviously still not be on peanuts!

If I'm honest I can't see either of them being a real goer, Saints ain't gonna sell to us and surely Bailey wouldn't pass IL's due dilligence testing?

Also if Graham was going to move on surely he'd be off to OZ?

I wouldn't attach too much significance to this. The Saints and Wigan relationship now is not the Saints and Wigan relationship of the Mo/DW era. IL and EM seem to get on pretty well. It's also worth remembering that money talks. If Graham wants out and announces that he's leaving at the end of his contract come what may, Saints may well feel a need to cash in while they can.

The most likely stumbling block IMO is the cash we'd be required to fork out. Even if Fielden went to Celtic, I find it hard to envisage a frugal chap like IL producing the sort of transfer fee Saints would demand.

: Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:41 am  

Has anyone thought we may be swapping fielden with cash for graham.

Just a thought.

: Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:43 am  

Tricky Dicky wrote:

Has anyone thought we may be swapping fielden with cash for graham.

Just a thought.

I'd say it was more likely that Fielden may be going somewhere else (not Saints), and that we'd use that money to snare Graham. But when push comes to shove, I still don't think even that is particularly likely.

: Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:53 am  

This is a rumour I heard a couple of weeks back, from a pretty reliable source.

That being Fielden would go to Celtic and we would make a move for Graham.

The reasons being that although Saints have improved themselves financially over the last few years, they are in need of a cash injection at the present time.

I can only think that Graham is their most saleable asset in terms of transfer fees. Also I very much doubt an NRL side would pay a transfer fee.