Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Thu May 12, 2011 4:00 pm  

WARRIORCRAIG wrote:

I'd imagine its wherever the next coach (Wane?) sees Sam's preferred position, along with Tommy's, plus whoever is available at a suitable quality and price. Either way it's going to mean we need either a FB, HB or hooker for the 2012 season to replace Paul Deacon.

Correct. The bit in bold being the decisive factor IMO.

From Super League at fullback there is:

Cameron Phelps
Chris Melling
Scott Grix
Brett Kearney (has played there)
Brent Webb
Matt Blaymire
Shaun Briscoe
Clint Greenshields

At hooker there is:

Jon Clarke
Andy Ellis
Chad Randall
Heath L'estrange
Danny Buderus
Julian Rinaldi
Ben Fisher

At halfback there is:

Leon Pryce
Stefan Ratchford
Richard Horne
Sean Long
Brett Kearney
Marc Herbert
Danny Orr
Thomas Bosc

---------------------------------------------------

In the NRL it's very difficult to judge who really is available. By this I mean, sure there's top quality OOC, but they're simply not realistic signings. The only one that I am aware of who has made their desire or availability to coming over to Super League known is Matty Bowen. He's my pick. The only stumbling factor there for me would be his potentially high wage demands.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Thu May 12, 2011 6:10 pm  

Scott Grix (If he carries on his form so far, he'd be one of my main targets)
Clint Greenshields

Danny Buderus


They are the only ones from those above I'd consider. Webb maybe but I'm not sure he'd be worth a quota.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Thu May 12, 2011 6:16 pm  

I'd settle for Greenshields and allow Sam to play back in the halfs. His injury record is a worry but he's a class act and would go well in our side.

Kearney is also a very good player and again would look classy on our side as a fullback. Too much has been asked of him at Bradford with him trying to carry them from 6 alot of the time.

Theres not much that stands out in the way of halfback or hookers as a first choice but as I've stated before I'd take Ratchford as a utility.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Thu May 12, 2011 6:18 pm  

The only ones from that list I would like to see at Wigan would be Bosc, Ratchford, Buderus and maybe Greenshields, though I'd rather see Sam stay at 1 and bring in a hooker or a half.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Thu May 12, 2011 6:30 pm  

WARRIORCRAIG wrote:

The only ones from that list I would like to see at Wigan would be Bosc, Ratchford, Buderus and maybe Greenshields, though I'd rather see Sam stay at 1 and bring in a hooker or a half.

It's tough to see where we could get a quality half or hooker from though. I'd rather us sign a quality fullback when proven quality seems available then take a chance on a halfback.

If Mr Lenagan was willing to pay a fee I'd hope we'd be in for Dobson or Chase but I can't see it.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Thu May 12, 2011 6:34 pm  

Id take Greenshields or Randall from the above, depending which way Wane wants to line up. Despite what some people think, WE NEED to bring in some players from outside the club, we wont be successful by promoting an entire team of kids, some will simpily not be good enough.

Once Wane/Whoever is announced, Im sure we will announce signings, the position they are signed for should tell us where Sam or Tommy will be playing next season.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Thu May 12, 2011 6:40 pm  

AJ wrote:

Id take Greenshields or Randall from the above, depending which way Wane wants to line up. Despite what some people think, WE NEED to bring in some players from outside the club, we wont be successful by promoting an entire team of kids, some will simpily not be good enough.

Once Wane/Whoever is announced, Im sure we will announce signings, the position they are signed for should tell us where Sam or Tommy will be playing next season.

We 'must' sign players for sure. The indications are we'll be losing Carmont, Deacon, coley and Hoffman and Gleeson has already gone so to not sign anybody would be suicide.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Thu May 12, 2011 6:52 pm  

Danny Buderus would be 34 at the start of the season if he signed for us next year. No thanks.

Clint Greenshields is a little suspect in defence for me and has been plagued by injuries these last couple of years. We'd have to see how he recovers from these injuries to see if he gets anywhere near back to his best.

Matty Bowen is the name from Australia that I would move hell and earth to bring over. He wants to come to Super League and has made himself available. His support play and his finishing is simply world-class. His pace, acceleration, footwork, agility, elusive running is simply outstanding. He can kick too - both in general play and goals. I'm sure he can play at halfback if required. He would give us the blend of speed across the park that I'd like to see us have. A backline with Matt Bowen, Josh Charnley, Joel Tomkins and Pat Richards. Sam Tomkins providing us pace in the halves with Brett Finch. Thomas Leuluai providing pace around the ruck with Mike McIlorum. We'd been a much quicker team with him in that's for sure. Fast backs with strong, powerful and skillful forwards.

The only area I have no answer for is at centre. Joel Tomkins at centre next season - fine. As for who else we can sign I've not a clue.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Thu May 12, 2011 6:57 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

We 'must' sign players for sure. The indications are we'll be losing Carmont, Deacon, coley and Hoffman and Gleeson has already gone so to not sign anybody would be suicide.

I think we'll sign one or two new signings only. So any fans hoping to see five in, to replace the five leaving are going to be sorely disappointed.

Re: Rumours and signings v6 (inc Maguire Rumours) : Thu May 12, 2011 6:57 pm  

cadoo wrote:

The only area I have no answer for is at centre. Joel Tomkins at centre next season - fine. As for who else we can sign I've not a clue.

We paid a fee for our last one to get quality in that position, if the club don't think that Marsh/Goulding can step up, then there's no reason to believe they wouldn't fork out again.

The problem there is that there's very few in the league I'd want, Joe Arundel has looked good though.