Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:32 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I’d like to see more from both Ellis and Cust before extending. I think both could potentially earn deals but Ellis needs to earn the right to get more minutes and show what he can do and Cust has things to work on as well. I like Cust but he can go missing in games and defensively he is not the best. He was exceptional against Salford in the friendly, which made his performance last week both surprising and disappointing but I do expect he’ll bounce back.

I agree with the others. We cannot under any circumstances give contracts out this time to guys like Isa and even Singleton, on the basis that they’re good lads. Make no bones about it, we’re behind St Helens and have work to do to catch them up. To do that we need better players and we need to ask ourselves the question as to whether first 17 guys we’re signing and giving contracts to would make their team. If you can get somebody like Singleton signed on back up player money, then maybe but we need to be more ruthless.

I can get onboard with that.

With Ellis and Cust I've given some weight to the potential of both & squad stability too. Cust, like you also said, has had some very good performances for us - the CC semi Vs Saints stands out.

I do however think that we'll miss Tommy this year. Whilst he was injured for a large part of the season he played a big part in getting us off to a good start last year. That builds confidence, which can't be underestimated.

Maybe Cust at 9 and an experienced 6 like Lolohea, improves us across the board? I'd rather that than gamble on someone like Clark at 31.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:35 pm  

JWH is definitely coming to SL for next season.

Between you and Catalans

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:40 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I’d like to see more from both Ellis and Cust before extending. I think both could potentially earn deals but Ellis needs to earn the right to get more minutes and show what he can do and Cust has things to work on as well. I like Cust but he can go missing in games and defensively he is not the best. He was exceptional against Salford in the friendly, which made his performance last week both surprising and disappointing but I do expect he’ll bounce back.

I agree with the others. We cannot under any circumstances give contracts out this time to guys like Isa and even Singleton, on the basis that they’re good lads. Make no bones about it, we’re behind St Helens and have work to do to catch them up. To do that we need better players and we need to ask ourselves the question as to whether first 17 guys we’re signing and giving contracts to would make their team. If you can get somebody like Singleton signed on back up player money, then maybe but we need to be more ruthless.

We missed a trick not resigning Williams, he is in a different league to Cust. The loss of Nicholson was also difficult to take and not replacing Bateman was criminal. Ellis, Mago and Miski on current form do not warrant the Club extending their contracts and Isa and Singleton have had their time. Our pack is simply not good enough and needs an overall. The problem is where do we find those players. Looking at SL players off contract, at the end of the season, there’s not a lot of talent available. The only prop I would consider is English at Huddersfield, so we will need to turn to the NRL. There are plenty of average players who will come over but they will not move us forward as a team. The only option is to get less with the money we may have available. Two top forwards are a priority for me together with a halfback.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:45 pm  

TheWarringtonWolve69 wrote:

JWH is definitely coming to SL for next season.

Between you and Catalans

You said that Bateman wasn’t going!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:46 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I can get onboard with that.

With Ellis and Cust I've given some weight to the potential of both & squad stability too. Cust, like you also said, has had some very good performances for us - the CC semi Vs Saints stands out.

I do however think that we'll miss Tommy this year. Whilst he was injured for a large part of the season he played a big part in getting us off to a good start last year. That builds confidence, which can't be underestimated.

Maybe Cust at 9 and an experienced 6 like Lolohea, improves us across the board? I'd rather that than gamble on someone like Clark at 31.

No way we will sign a hooker.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 24, 2023 2:21 pm  

Zig wrote:

We missed a trick not resigning Williams, he is in a different league to Cust. The loss of Nicholson was also difficult to take and not replacing Bateman was criminal. Ellis, Mago and Miski on current form do not warrant the Club extending their contracts and Isa and Singleton have had their time. Our pack is simply not good enough and needs an overall. The problem is where do we find those players. Looking at SL players off contract, at the end of the season, there’s not a lot of talent available. The only prop I would consider is English at Huddersfield, so we will need to turn to the NRL. There are plenty of average players who will come over but they will not move us forward as a team. The only option is to get less with the money we may have available. Two top forwards are a priority for me together with a halfback.

Nicholson really hurts tbh. I see him in a Wire shirt and just shake my head. He plays with controlled aggression and will be a top player. You have to be careful giving in to young players demands and giving them too much, too soon but it’s a shocker for us that. I can live with the Williams decision tbh. It’s silly money really for a guy that blows so hot and cold. He’s hot currently and will have a good season but I wouldn’t bank on it lasting over the coming years.

As for our recruitment, we will have to go to the NRL and we need to do better with our next forward recruits than we’ve done with the last couple. We’ll need 2 second rowers to replace Bateman, KPP and Isa and at least one prop. I do t think we’ll touch the hooking position for years tbh but I’m not saying that’s right.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:26 pm  

Early days but some of the team lineups at the start of the year perhaps highlight some strange decisions outgoing Wigan players have made (Jake Bibby and Sam Halsall not getting a game, James McDonnell being sent out on loan).

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:30 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Early days but some of the team lineups at the start of the year perhaps highlight some strange decisions outgoing Wigan players have made (Jake Bibby and Sam Halsall not getting a game, James McDonnell being sent out on loan).

I expect Halsall to go on loan this year once injuries kick in, in SL squads.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:57 pm  

jonh wrote:

I expect Halsall to go on loan this year once injuries kick in, in SL squads.

Almost inevitable given Huddersfield's depth - maybe his options were limited but a strange decision to go there.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Feb 24, 2023 9:13 pm  

Zig wrote:

You said that Bateman wasn’t going!

And Wardle wasn't signing...