Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 5:01 pm  

As long as Finch doesn't sign for a rival Super League club and we can find a suitable replacement then it wont be the end of the world. All the talk is that he's off to South Sydney.

Whoever we get to replace Finch, I hope we sign someone who we can build a team around for a few seasons and see some stability in the halves. Even if that means making a move for a less high profile player like Matty Smith. I look at the improvement of Darrell Goulding, Mike McIlorum, Liam Farrell along with Lauaki, Flower and Dudson etc and have every confidence in our coaching team from Mark Bitcon to Wane/Harris that Smith will get better & wont be looking to leave anytime soon because his wife is homesick etc

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 5:17 pm  

post wrote:

I would like Lopini Paea to replace Lima, wanted to sign Paea a few years back and whilst I've watched him for Catalans he has impressed me.

He's stalling on a new contract due to 'family reasons'.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 5:46 pm  

cherryandwhitedavid06 wrote:

Smith almost single handedly got Saints to the grand final that year.

He had 1 excellent game. He was only recalled from loan because of injuries, before that he was deemed surplus to requirements. I could be wrong but I dont think he'll be your 'Sean Long'

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 5:58 pm  

No1 Saint wrote:

:lol: He had 1 excellent game. He was only recalled from loan because of injuries, before that he was deemed surplus to requirements. I could be wrong but I dont think he'll be your 'Sean Long'

He won't be our Sean Long. We don't want a Sean Long but he is a good player

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 6:04 pm  

Dettoriman wrote:

Rangi Chase would command a buy out fee of at least 500k, Unfortunately for Cas, there isn't just yourselves interested. Hull Fc are also sniffing around.

You are actually Dave Parker, aren't you?

On Casforum you get just about everything wrong and now you're saying people are actually in for Chase when directors have already said nobody is.

As for Hull...he's been signing for them for the last 3 years now (they also don't have the quota spaces nor the salary cap space to sign him).

Matty Smith for you guys - always looks a good player and will only be even better surrounded by the talent Wigan already have.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 6:08 pm  

I'm not gonna throw my toys out of the pram regarding Smith.

He's not amazing by any stretch of the imagination and he's not going to be our payback for Long

BUT

He's shown some glimpses of talent, he's English, he's gonna provide stability and by all accounts he's got a much needed kicking game.

Again I'd love to see

1-Russell

6-Sam
7-Smith

13-Lockers

9-Mcilorum

If we can persuade Sam that his Future is with us thats a settled spine to our team. Add Charnley, Goulding, Mossop, Dudson and Prescott to the list and its settled side.

Very smart planning.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 6:11 pm  

We don't need our own Sean Long as we're not that desperate! What we do need is a good replacement for Leuluai who'll be at the club long term and won't have a homesick wife in a year or two (no dig at Leuluai or Finch by the way) and walk out.

Smith will go fine for Wigan and he's a player I mentioned on here ages ago asa good long term bet for us. If he's at the side of a Finch or a Soward he'll really kick on behind a monster pack but we can't put the burden on him of running the show alongside an inexperienced fullback in Russell and a halfback partner in Tomkins who'll need to settle back in to halfback.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 6:29 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

We don't need our own Sean Long as we're not that desperate! What we do need is a good replacement for Leuluai who'll be at the club long term and won't have a homesick wife in a year or two (no dig at Leuluai or Finch by the way) and walk out.

Smith will go fine for Wigan and he's a player I mentioned on here ages ago asa good long term bet for us. If he's at the side of a Finch or a Soward he'll really kick on behind a monster pack but we can't put the burden on him of running the show alongside an inexperienced fullback in Russell and a halfback partner in Tomkins who'll need to settle back in to halfback.

Sadly he'll always get those Long comparisons just because of the position and the two teams involved.

If he’s here 5+ years and plays his part in a few league and cup wins I'll be chuffed.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 6:56 pm  

I think Smith will make a decent signing.

Reminds me of a young Lee Briers (even down to him having a face you just want to smack all day long).

I have a feeling he could be a right little $hithouse for us.

[DaveO]

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu May 31, 2012 8:00 pm  

If Smith is signed to replace Finch (if he leaves) that is a massive drop in quality at 6.

If he is signed to replace TL at 7 that is also a massive drop in quality at 7.

He's not as good as either player and there is no use kidding ourselves he is.