Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:51 am  

MattyB wrote:

Was talking to someone who spoke to Hock last week. He's hoping to play Union. Whether thats wishful thinking or that he's had an approach I don't know!

He'll need to go to university for a crash course on the rules.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Sep 19, 2014 3:33 pm  

Singing Warrior wrote:

He'll need to go to university for a crash course on the rules.

Why? No one else seems to know them.

Re: Brough and Eastmond : Sun Sep 21, 2014 9:53 am  

Father Ted wrote:

How many half backs do they want?
Myler, Ratchford, O'Brien, often Bridge.

They have just signed Gary Wheeler from saints too.

Re: Brough and Eastmond : Sun Sep 21, 2014 10:39 am  

Albion wrote:

They have just signed Gary Wheeler from saints too.

He's better then Cooper Cronk anyway.

Re: Brough and Eastmond : Sun Sep 21, 2014 10:41 am  

Albion wrote:

They have just signed Gary Wheeler from saints too.

thats a huge gamble

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 21, 2014 11:29 am  

If Wire can bulk Ratchford up a bit and use him as a ball-playing 13 they've potentially got a very good, young, British spine of:

Russell
O'Brian
Myler
Clark
Ratchford

There are question marks over the quality of a couple of those, but that's how I'd be looking at going if I was Smith. I have similar reservations with O'Brian as I do with Sam Powell here, they're decent enough players but are they good enough to be 6 at a top 4 side? Can't understand them signing Wheeler, at least that should get rid of the annual 'he's coming to Wigan' rumour though.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 21, 2014 11:53 am  

WARRIORCRAIG wrote:

If Wire can bulk Ratchford up a bit and use him as a ball-playing 13 they've potentially got a very good, young, British spine of:

Russell
O'Brian
Myler
Clark
Ratchford

There are question marks over the quality of a couple of those, but that's how I'd be looking at going if I was Smith. I have similar reservations with O'Brian as I do with Sam Powell here, they're decent enough players but are they good enough to be 6 at a top 4 side? Can't understand them signing Wheeler, at least that should get rid of the annual 'he's coming to Wigan' rumour though.

But why would they bulk up one of their most talented, flexible players just to fill a hole?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 21, 2014 12:09 pm  

stillinthepast wrote:

It is a rumours and signing thread so I thought I would put the latest titbit from the sayings of the good Doctor at Salford.

When Mickey Mack was out with his broken arm the M.E.N tonight says that Wigan made an approach for Stuart Howarth on a loan deal, Salford turned Wigan down.
What does this say about the confidence Logan Tomkins must have, saying that at the time he was only used sparingly at Salford and also knowing that he was due to return to Wigan next season.

Logan was on a season long loan with no option to recall. We didn't have the option of calling him back.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:09 pm  

Just seen the news of Burns signing for Saints. Will be a huge challenge for whichever academy player comes in to fill in the #6 jersey next year, most likely either Powell or Williams. Pleased that we are giving youth a chance in the halves but there may be a bit of short term pain for long term gain with the established and good quality halves that other clubs have brought in and have already.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:20 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Just seen the news of Burns signing for Saints. Will be a huge challenge for whichever academy player comes in to fill in the #6 jersey next year, most likely either Powell or Williams. Pleased that we are giving youth a chance in the halves but there may be a bit of short term pain for long term gain with the established and good quality halves that other clubs have brought in and have already.

I think it's worth giving Sam Powell the first shot at 6 next season. He can play our structures effectively but whether he can fill Green's shoes is another question. I would use Williams off the bench at hooker and Hampshire as understudy to Bowen.

Another stop-gap signing in the halves may have been beneficial but Powell is 22 now and needs to be playing regularly. Plus if him and Smith do click it could prove to be a long-term half back pairing that lasts more than a year or two, which is something we have lacked for a long, long time now. Other than Carney and Burns, I don't think SL will be awash with top quality 6's next season anyway. There was no obvious candidate for bringing in a Bowen-type player for a season or two to help develop a youngster IMO.