Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 17, 2023 7:55 am  

NSW wrote:

He signed for 2 years but has an option for next year, I assume the option is in Wigans favour.

Here’s our OOC list

Mike Cooper (option for another year), Cade Cust (option for another year), Kaide Ellis (option for another year), Toby King (loan), Willie Isa, Patrick Mago (option for another year), Abbas Miski (option for another year), Ramon Silva (option for another year), Brad Singleton, Morgan Smithies, Iain Thornley (option for another year), Ryan Hampshire (option for 2 years)

Cheers for that. Will be interesting to see who we retain and who goes.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 17, 2023 8:22 am  

MattyB wrote:

Cheers for that. Will be interesting to see who we retain and who goes.

i think the big thing about that list is 5 are overseas quota players. At the minute you would say retain Ellis, Miski (if he is going to be a 1st choice winger and not a squad player getting the odd game) and poss Isa for another year (he seems to be fit enough to go round again and add experience and versatility to cover a couple of positions, especially given we know we are losing KPP and Faz isnt gettting any younger).

If by my logic we then let Cust and Mago go, we have opportunity to bring in a couple of new overseas signings, with then the option to review whether we need a 1/2, prop or back row

The other thing we'll need to consider is Cooper / Singleton, both are very experienced and signed for that reason, but how will they both recover from their respective injuries (we can probably add Thornley into that equation too). If 1 or all 3 arent retained, then clearly another 3 to backfill

There was a post a few weeks ago with all the SL players off contract, and what didnt fill me with hope was the fact that if we were to let all of those off contract to go, that we could replace them with someone of equal quality by signing from other clubs. Theres no doubt the club has some difficult decisions to make over recruitment in the next 12 months or so

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 17, 2023 9:32 am  

One player off contract on that list, who I hadn’t considered until reading Shaun Wane is discussing the possibility of him representing England is Kai O’Donnell at Leigh. I’ve seen Leigh once or twice and he’s done ok but that report got me wondering why Wane is keen on him. Looking at him statistically, he looks a fine player. He’s getting through tonnes of work with and without the ball (regularly over 30 tackles and 100 metres per game) and has a try scoring threat by the looks of things, with 15 in 32 games (although many were in the championship). If you think of a Wigan second rower, you think tough, mobile, workrate etc and the lad looks to tick a lot of the boxes.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 17, 2023 9:42 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

One player off contract on that list, who I hadn’t considered until reading Shaun Wane is discussing the possibility of him representing England is Kai O’Donnell at Leigh. I’ve seen Leigh once or twice and he’s done ok but that report got me wondering why Wane is keen on him. Looking at him statistically, he looks a fine player. He’s getting through tonnes of work with and without the ball (regularly over 30 tackles and 100 metres per game) and has a try scoring threat by the looks of things, with 15 in 32 games (although many were in the championship). If you think of a Wigan second rower, you think tough, mobile, workrate etc and the lad looks to tick a lot of the boxes.

I think we are definitely and subtly (maybe not so subtly) using the position of Wane as leverage when attracting players.

Wardle signs for us…and then is included, as a bit of a shock pick given he was playing wing at the Giants and in and out of the team, as England centre in the mid season test.

I can see us doing the same or trying to with O ‘Donnell and others.

In regards O’Donnell as a player I think he would be a cracking addition but only if Isa is retiring. I don’t think we need them both.

I’m sure we will be up to speed on Isa’s intentions as a club, even if we are not as fans as it will have a significant effect on recruitment strategy for 24.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 17, 2023 10:21 am  

jonh wrote:

I think we are definitely and subtly (maybe not so subtly) using the position of Wane as leverage when attracting players.

Wardle signs for us…and then is included, as a bit of a shock pick given he was playing wing at the Giants and in and out of the team, as England centre in the mid season test.

I can see us doing the same or trying to with O ‘Donnell and others.

In regards O’Donnell as a player I think he would be a cracking addition but only if Isa is retiring. I don’t think we need them both.

I’m sure we will be up to speed on Isa’s intentions as a club, even if we are not as fans as it will have a significant effect on recruitment strategy for 24.

I think you’re right on the Isa comparison. If O’Donnell could be tempted it might lead to a tough decision on Isa. He is playing as well as ever and is definitely turning peoples opinions on keeping him on from what I read but at that age, if you can get a similar player, who is 10 years younger and brings those traits Isa has, it leaves you with a decision to make. I can’t see Isa retiring and he’s been an incredible servant for the club, so they’ll want to do right by him.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 17, 2023 10:50 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

I think you’re right on the Isa comparison. If O’Donnell could be tempted it might lead to a tough decision on Isa. He is playing as well as ever and is definitely turning peoples opinions on keeping him on from what I read but at that age, if you can get a similar player, who is 10 years younger and brings those traits Isa has, it leaves you with a decision to make. I can’t see Isa retiring and he’s been an incredible servant for the club, so they’ll want to do right by him.

In regards Isa, I don’t know this just speculating, I feel he may be putting everything into this season as he knows himself it’s his last.

I just get the impression the effort areas and intensity has lifted in his play and he is leaving it all out there every game and making the most of the opportunity he didn’t think he would get at the start of the season.

It’s just a feeling I have.

Not sure on what the situation is with his partner but I believe she was overseas and has been for a year.

Your last point is bang on the club will want to do right by him, as they should if he wants to go round again it would only right to give him a new deal on current form and to show loyalty to a great servant.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 17, 2023 11:02 am  

No idea if he would have an interest in this career path but I get the sense that Isa would be a brilliant strength and conditioning coach.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 17, 2023 11:56 am  

Is Isa's missus still playing football in the US? If so this may be a factor in staying or leaving?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Apr 17, 2023 12:03 pm  

I think she’s back playing here now.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Apr 18, 2023 12:42 pm  

jaws1 wrote:

I think that Miski would be a good second rower he has the build and speed to boot.

Easy as that! Wonder why nobody has ever thought of it?

What a ridiculously simplistic view.