Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Tue May 10, 2011 7:54 am  

Dave K. wrote:

At the moment I would say that we are 2 top players and a coach off challenging again, we need a top FB and a HB (a Dobson or Brough type player).

Although Agar has impressed in the last few games with his tactics etc, i still have major doubts.

Our pack on it's day is a match for anyone, so although Hock would be a very good signing and replacement for Lauaki or Fitzgibbon I dont think it is a priority.

I liken us to Warrington under Cullan, I don't we will every get to where I want us to be under Agar. I would love to be proved wrong though.

Definately need a change of coach. Maybe a decent Aussie to assist Agar and change the culture of the club. From the outside it looks similar to the Wire under Cullen. Too many players with question marks over their off field/training behaviour.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Tue May 10, 2011 7:57 am  

stpatricks wrote:

Definately need a change of coach. Maybe a decent Aussie to assist Agar and change the culture of the club. From the outside it looks similar to the Wire under Cullen. Too many players with question marks over their off field/training behaviour.

Agree apart from the last part, one good thing about Agar is he is very strict on discipline issues, it has much improved under him, and resulted in the sacking of Tansey and the release of Lee, Thackray and King.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Tue May 10, 2011 8:13 am  

Dave K. wrote:

Agree apart from the last part, one good thing about Agar is he is very strict on discipline issues, it has much improved under him, and resulted in the sacking of Tansey and the release of Lee, Thackray and King.

Would the discipline have applied to one of the star players? Smith went into the Wire job and it was made clear to all the players what was expected. Briers has probably had his best ever spell of RL, less injuries and more consistent performances. Would Agar have the backing to boot out O'Meely, Gleeson, Yeamon? Maguire came to Wigan and the buy in from the players into a new tougher regime has had obvious benefits.

Again I dont see what happens in Hull but have seen examples of the drinking cultures at Wigan and Wire in the past

If Agar does control his players then the only thing I can think of is that he is not the calibre of caich that Hull need

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Tue May 10, 2011 10:18 am  

The turnaround at Warrington was not the Cullen/Smith swap but Moran buying the club and effectively running the place.
HullFC won't do anything significant with Kath Hetherington in charge. The Hull BOD have to get their management sorted and the only question should be, does Hetherington go before Agar or following him?

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Tue May 10, 2011 1:41 pm  

Cant ignore the impact of Tong Smith. Turned Leeds into a champion side which has fallen further and further down since his departure. He also has to take some credit surely in the recent mass improvement in wire.

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Tue May 10, 2011 1:58 pm  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

Cant ignore the impact of Tong Smith. Turned Leeds into a champion side which has fallen further and further down since his departure.

How do you work that one out? Leeds were champions each of the first two years after he left the club.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Tue May 10, 2011 2:11 pm  

Wigan/Leeds Andy wrote:

How do you work that one out? Leeds were champions each of the first two years after he left the club.

Shh, its a made up FACT

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Tue May 10, 2011 2:34 pm  

Any rumors flying around ahead of tonight's fans forum?

I'd like here.

A new two year deal for the Hoff.

And a resolution to who'll be coaching Wigan in 2012 and beyond.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Tue May 10, 2011 2:40 pm  

LovesToSpooge wrote:

Any rumors flying around ahead of tonight's fans forum?

I'd like here.

A new two year deal for the Hoff.

And a resolution to who'll be coaching Wigan in 2012 and beyond.

And the signings of Matt Cooper and ragi chase

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Tue May 10, 2011 11:55 pm  

With the subsequent announcements made at the fans forum we can further actively engage in debate about recruitment for next season. I'm very pleased with the long-term deals handed out to Sam Tomkins, Joel Tomkins, Liam Farrell, Gareth Hock, Josh Charnley, Lee Mossop, Paul Prescott, Darrell Goulding, Harrison Hansen, Jeff Lima and Pat Richards. That's an excellent core of players to have tied down on long-term deals.

So we've found out that we're losing an experienced set of players with George Carmont and Paul Deacon retiring along with Andy Coley who is set to retire (I've been informed on numerous occasions it is near certain). Ryan Hoffman is also set to leave at the end of the season by our chairman's own admission. When you consider we've also lost Martin Gleeson this is a considerable amount of experienced talent to lose.

In the forwards we're set to lose a prop forward and a back row forward. Two very experienced players that will be at the forefront of our title challenge this season. Our props for next season so far are Stuart Fielden, Lee Mossop, Jeff Lima and Paul Prescott. Ben Davies and Dom Crosby to provide cover. Eamon O'carroll another possible addition (such is the extent the length of time that O'carroll has been out I would consider him to be like a new signing). This is a good set of forwards and we can also add Gareth Hock to the potential mix. I think this is one area we will have to go with what we have with the constraints of the salary cap and the quota.

In the back row though we may have to recruit depending on how Gareth Hock fits back in and if Joel Tomkins remains at centre. With our chairman admitting he thinks Joel Tomkins could be a world-class centre we're now effectively seeing the loss (from the backrow) of our two first-choice second row forwards in Ryan Hoffman and Joel Tomkins. We have quality in Harrison Hansen and Liam Farrell with depth being provided by Chris Tuson, Johnny Walker and the new emergence of Jack Hughes. However there is considerable absence of experience from this line-up. Gareth Hock, as is now confirmed, will play in the side and was most notably announced as a second rower on the official website. Perhaps this is an indication of where he will play. I certainly think for the rest of this season – injuries permitting – we will see him play in the second row. I think if Gareth Hock sticks to the back row for next season then there will be no need for further recruitment. If however we decide to move him up to prop then we would need to strengthen in this area should Hoffman leave us. I don't think I need to stress just how much of a boost to our pack it would be if Ryan Hoffman stayed with us another year.

As for the fullback/halfback/hooker situation it depends a lot on form. I personally see Sam Tomkins staying as a fullback, as Amos Roberts just lacks form and now game time. I also see Tommy Leuluai as a hooker alongside Mike McIlorum. This would leave just Brett Finch and two halfbacks with relatively little experience in Joe Mellor and Sam Powell. I'm not show how Wigan are going to play this one. If Sam Tomkins moves back to halfback and we sign a fullback this would eliminate the need to sign a halfback. Matty Bowen has been a name mentioned on wish-lists and I agree that he would be a very good signing. A combination of:

1. Matty Bowen
6. Sam Tomkins
7. Brett Finch
9. Thomas Leuluai
--------------------

HK: Mike McIlorum

This would certainly be very strong. When you consider this would be playing behind a very strong pack then Wigan are in real business for next year.

The last area for strengthening would be at centre. Differing reports have emerged from the fans forum. Some fans have given the impression that Ian Lenagan has categorically stated there is no market for a centre and that Joel Tomkins is being touted as our next centre (with the potential to be world-class). Other posters have said that he was only referring to this season. If the latter is true then this makes perfect sense and I am happy to continue this season with Tomkins and Carmont with Goulding and Marsh being given opportunities. Next year though would be a different story. I wouldn't want to see us go into next year with a second row convert – regardless of how much potential Joel may have there – and a young, inexperienced lad in Goulding or Marsh. I feel it is one area we simply must strengthen. If we could sign that top quality centre that we desire then I feel next year has the makings of a VERY exciting team.

1. Matty Bowen (Matty Russell to cover)
2. Josh Charnley (or Goulding or indeed Roberts)
3. Joel Tomkins (Stefan Marsh and Daz Goulding)
4. NEW SIGNING
5. Pat Richards (Ryan King)
6. Sam Tomkins (Joe Mellor)
7. Brett Finch (Sam Powell)
8. Stuart Fielden (Ben Davies, Eamon O'carroll)
9. Thomas Leuluai (Logan Tomkins)
10. Paul Prescott (Dom Crosby)
11. Gareth Hock (Johnny Walker, Jack Hughes)
12. Harrison Hansen (Chris Tuson)
13. Sean O'loughlin
-------------------------------------------
14. Mike McIlorum
15. Jeff Lima
16. Lee Mossop
17. Liam Farrell