Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 11:44 am  

Mark_P1973 wrote:

I think the challenge is finding props at the right price. I've been commenting on the Leeds forum too, and they reckon they need 3-4 props with Oledski, and seem happy to get rid of the rest, maybe keep 1 of them as 6th choice

so if you and Leeds are both in the market for props, and there aint many around, then its a good time to be one, as its likely they'll be getting decent money thrown at them

i know many fans including our own were laughing last year, when we signed a prop every week but it has proven to have been very shrewd business so far, as we've seen out injuries and suspensions and been competitive most weeks, and we've got 2 project signings in Eseh and Chan to add to our rotation, hopefully after a good pre-season

Beyond props, it feels like a few teams need plenty of players yet in various positions. Leeds and Huddersfield have new coaches and will want to do things. Hull, Leigh and Cas still have to bring players in and then we could have a new side in the league. Saints are also finalising their squad by the looks if it. It's probably a result of the IMG gradings in some cases and it's a world away from previous years when it felt like teams squads for the following year were all sorted come August/September in the current season. It'll be an interesting few months and is good for the game in a way as it can be a long off season with no news.

In terms of Wigan, we can sit back and watch it all unfold and you never know, an opportunity may open up somewhere if the club thinks it's worthwhile. A second rower is the only position that feels like we could do with an addition.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 1:02 pm  

Stu M wrote:

It was extremely shrewd business by Wigan but then to be fair their succession planning has been on point for a couple of years now which is why they are the top dogs.

Personally I'd take Chris Hill for 12 months. His experience would be invaluable in bringing on the likes of Delaney and Stephens. I still think there's a player in Delaney, just needs a bit more size.

Hill probably not a bad shout, although you wont please all supporters if you did sign him. We tried it with Singleton (didnt really work) and Cooper to bring in a battle hardened prop to support the development of our young uns. a 12 month deal for Hill with +1 in clubs favour would probably get him to sign

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 3:17 pm  

Stu M wrote:

It was extremely shrewd business by Wigan but then to be fair their succession planning has been on point for a couple of years now which is why they are the top dogs.

Personally I'd take Chris Hill for 12 months. His experience would be invaluable in bringing on the likes of Delaney and Stephens. I still think there's a player in Delaney, just needs a bit more size.

I think Delaney needs to amend his technique and he will
Be fine.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 4:17 pm  

Stu M wrote:

It was extremely shrewd business by Wigan but then to be fair their succession planning has been on point for a couple of years now which is why they are the top dogs.

Personally I'd take Chris Hill for 12 months. His experience would be invaluable in bringing on the likes of Delaney and Stephens. I still think there's a player in Delaney, just needs a bit more size.

I wanted us to sign Hill a couple of seasons ago when he was leaving Wire. He's still capable of playing decent minutes at a good level.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 4:31 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I wanted us to sign Hill a couple of seasons ago when he was leaving Wire. He's still capable of playing decent minutes at a good level.

And he is in the right age bracket over 30s

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 6:30 pm  

Stu M wrote:

As for 2025 the backline does look better and I personally feel we still have a couple of more signings to announce

However we need 1-2 props as a minimum, maybe a 9 and most definitely a centre.

Walmsley and Lomax are finished and it is criminal that they still have 2 years left on their contracts. Appalling squad management. It was ridiculous that Stephens wasn't on the bench on Saturday and instead Burns played for 10 mins.

A lot is going to depend on the development of the likes of Robertson, Vaughan, Dagnall etc now that they are FT and in a FT strength and conditioning environment. Robertson will undoubtedly come back a stone heavier at least for next season.

We are also hoping that Briers has a good impact on our attack.

I may be in the minority but I think Briers will be the difference for you next year. Wellens knows how to get his team to defend and clearly can motivate them. If Briers can get your attack ticking you’ll be genuine contenders again.

I’d agree Lomax is pretty much done and a shadow of the player he was but there’s life in Walmsley providing his minutes are managed properly.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 7:02 pm  

Trainman wrote:

I may be in the minority but I think Briers will be the difference for you next year. Wellens knows how to get his team to defend and clearly can motivate them. If Briers can get your attack ticking you’ll be genuine contenders again.

I’d agree Lomax is pretty much done and a shadow of the player he was but there’s life in Walmsley providing his minutes are managed properly.

I'm really interested to see what difference Briers can make. He seemed really popular at Wigan and there was a pick up in performance but it's always difficult to judge exactly what assistant coaches bring when they come in at the same time as the head man and even more so in a side with Field and French back in it and playing well. In his two most recent assistant coaches job, he's had Smith, French and Field in the Wigan side and Reynolds, Mam and Walsh in the Brisbane side. They're two sets of backs who cover pretty much all bases for you in an attack. His contribution was probably huge but I think most attacking coaches worth their salt could do something with those guys.

At Saints he will be coming in to add to the existing coaching team and to work under a head man who has been under pressure. They are getting some new backs in but guys like Welsby and Lomax will still be in those spine positions, so his contribution should be far more noticeable and easy to judge.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 7:20 pm  

Briers may suggest a swap around in the backs. Richardson to full back, Welsby 6 and Lomax at 7.
There will be changes at Saints and I'd imagine Wellens and` Briers have discussed it fully already.
Briers will have an impact, no doubt about that!

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:00 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Some really fair and honest points made.

It was heartbreaking for us on Saturday to lose in that manner but too many errors from experienced professionals costing us. It took Wellens 60 mins and 3 tries conceded down our right side to move Percival over. I saw a stat that said 6 out of our last 7 tries had come down that side and it was blatantly obvious that Matautia is not a centre and Warringtons left edge is their strength

Fans can see it, pundits can see it but seemingly Wellens couldn't until it was too late.

In some ways it would've been easier to have been hammered as most of us expected rather than to lose in GP. I would rather have lost on Saturday though than to have been beaten by Wigan. We wouldn't have beaten Wigan so much like a dog being put down whilst ill, we have been put out of our misery.

In some ways I am relieved that this awful season is over and I can get back to having my weekends not ruined. Unfortunately for my sins I am a Utd fan as well so my misery continues!

I don’t think Wire won it but Saints threw it away. The seasoned pros could not close out the game. Having said that, it was a masterclass from Williams.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Tue Oct 01, 2024 12:13 am  

Agreed. At 4-16 Saints of old would have probably scored another three or four tries and won at a canter.