: Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:17 pm  

cadoo wrote:

I agree RE Dobson he is something special. But I have a feeling it will be a real battle to get him back at Wigan as Hull KR will move heaven and earth to keep him if they have any sense about them. We could extend Leuluai's contract for another year and review the situation and then maybe make a bid for Dobson. I agree with the stability comment. It is noticeable that the two best sides (Leeds and Saints) only recruit one or two players each year and keep the vast majority of their squad and are not chopping and changing key players.(Fullback,Stand off, Scrum half, Hooker and loose forward) something we have never had stability in. We have Riddell and McIlorum on long contracts. Hopefully Sam will be here for the next 10 years and Pat Richards should be given the number 1 shirt. Tommy has been here a while but we now have a whole new combination - is Tommy the man for the job? I'm not sure it is something Ian Lenegan and Brian Noble will have to think about.

I guess we may have to be in a bidding war for Dobson and hopefully if we put in a really good offer for him he'll come just because of the opportunities we can give him and a realistic chance at the title in a few years. Will he be asking for or will he get as much as what Trent was on or what Orford or Lockyer would demand? Probably not and when you put it in those terms it doesn’t seem a bad deal as imo. I’d rather pay over the odds for Dobson and have him stay for five or six seasons than Pay even more for someone like Orford or Lockyer who although are both better players they won’t have the same prolonged impact Dobbo will.

I’m glad you agree about the core of our team tho.

1-Pat
6-Sam
9-Riddell
13-Tomkins(Lockers 2 2nd row and let Joel have the 13 shirt as Faz did with Lockers)

Not only do we have to make sure it's kept almost the same for a good few seasons but we also have to make sure our spine is made up of quality players. We could as you can see above have this at Wigan very easily

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:42 am  

Although I agree that the likes of Orford etc are very good players I feel looking towards Aus isn't necessarily the best move to make.

Someone pointed out the strength and stability saints have with Pryce/Long, similar to how Leeds have with Burrow/McGuire. During that time period we've had
Orr/Moran, Orr/Dobson, Barrett/Tommy, Tommy/Tim and now possibly Sam/Tommy, by the end of the season there is every chance we may see Sam/Tim.

We need to build a long last partnership with two half backs that know each other inside out and can lead a team around the park, Wigan at times lack direction.

It is clear to see that both saints and leeds have UK halfbacks, people who want to play in this country and want to play here for their careers, it helps if the players are from that country, a lot of top class Aussies are either in their late 20's by the time they arrive or only stay here for a season or two.. i.e Tim Smith. The exception to this is of course Dobson.

Dobson now has experience, is a good age (still young) and seems committed to the SL. (Probably a different age gap between Sam and Dobbo as Edwards and Greg).

Away from Dobson, I would look to this country, look at our own team and look at other UK players to partner Sam, stability is the key, it's what's been lacking in recent years in such a key area of the team.

The question is who is of good enough quality that we'd want at our team?
Myler? maybe, maybe not.
Brough?
This is the problem, this is why we look to Oz.

Let's look for stability and UK players, for a prop maybe one of the Burgess lads? If a prop is needed for next year or for when Fielden goes/takes a reduced contract.

As you can tell I see stability and UK based players as the key to such stability.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:59 pm  

I honestly don't see why we would need to invest in a 6 when its obvious Sam is up for the job as of next season.

Tommy and Sam in the halves with Riddell at hooker, sounds and looks brilliant IMO.

Money will be far better spent in a new prop/FB.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 3:15 pm  

FB? unless it's cover for Pat we don't need one.

If a new FB comes into the team we'll need to move pat to the wing pushing out either Ainscough and Roberts.

Something I don't think Wigan should do. Pat is also needed in the team for his kicking, kicking can be the difference between a winning and losing.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 3:25 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

I honestly don't see why we would need to invest in a 6 when its obvious Sam is up for the job as of next season.

Tommy and Sam in the halves with Riddell at hooker, sounds and looks brilliant IMO.

Money will be far better spent in a new prop/FB.

I think you may be jumping the gun a little there - whilst Sam may have the talent the question still remains can he stand up to the rigours of playing in most of if not all games. Given his build there is a serious question as to his ability to take the hard knocks week in week out. I for one hope he can do it - it would be fantastic to have someone from the youth setup make it in such a pivotal position - hopefully this season will prove he can.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 3:29 pm  

exiled Warrior wrote:

I think you may be jumping the gun a little there - whilst Sam may have the talent the question still remains can he stand up to the rigours of playing in most of if not all games. Given his build there is a serious question as to his ability to take the hard knocks week in week out. I for one hope he can do it - it would be fantastic to have someone from the youth setup make it in such a pivotal position - hopefully this season will prove he can.

he has to take those hard knocks to get used to them and adapt. if his form holds up, he is our 6 for at least the next 10 years

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:11 pm  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

FB? unless it's cover for Pat we don't need one.

If a new FB comes into the team we'll need to move pat to the wing pushing out either Ainscough and Roberts.

Something I don't think Wigan should do. Pat is also needed in the team for his kicking, kicking can be the difference between a winning and losing.

Yes but Pats best position is wing. Amos to FB maybe?

I'm happy with Pat at FB but IMO his best position and the best place that Wigan can play him is wing.

: Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:37 pm  

All down to preference but I prefer Pat at FB with roberts (speedster) and Ainscough (quick step) on the wings.

A balance similar to Offiah and Robinson.

: Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:56 am  

I think there is little doubt Tommy's best position is 9 but he is stil a very good 7 and IMO our best player

I agree Dobson would be fantastic but if we get him it won't be at the end of this season so the question is who will partner Sam for the 2010 season? Do we stick with Tommy at 7 for a season or do we bring a Lockyer or Orford in for a season? If we do bring a Lockyer or Orford in where does this leave McIlorum?

If we have the cap space (which we should) I would like to see an experienced half back to come in and partner Sam as it would be better both for Sam and the team IMO with McIlorum going out on loan

A prop and centre should be the priority first though. The centre will be very difficult as there seems to be a shortage of quality centres in rugby league at the moment so I think we will need to look overseas for one. Unless IL can pull of a piece of magic

HARRISON ON MOVE ????????? : Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:26 pm  

HARRISON HANSEN COULD BE ON THE MOVE TO SALFORD TO FURTHER HIS CAREER , HIS DAD SHANE IS A LEGEND AT SALFORD , AND HARRISON IS SEEN AS A BIG COUP AS SALFORD MOVE INTO THERE NEW STADIUM AT THE SAME TIME AS HARRISONS CONTRACT IS UP ALSO ITS RUMOURED THAT A SWAP DEAL COULD BE ON THE CARDS INVOLING RAY CASHMERE AND PALEASINA