Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:21 am  

MadDogg wrote:

Just seen the article about Gareth Widdop maybe coming to Super League- wonder if he could be a target if Williams is NRL bound (very much hope Williams stays). Would imagine Leeds are front runners but could see us being in there if we are already planning ahead.

Widdop has been mostly poor at international level but seems to continue to do very well in the NRL.

For me it would only work if we were already losing George ... and given the option, I'd rather keep George than gain Gareth. But of course that may be beyond our powers.

I'd agree that with both Burrow and McGuire likely to retire, Leeds are the front-runners. In fact, given the constant stream of bad news at Headingley I can't imagine they'd dare miss out on him, even if he asks a blockbuster salary (which I'm sure he will).

I had to laugh at that article putting Salford as 3rd in line of likelihood to get his signature. They must see someting in Koucash's set-up that I don't. At the very least, I'd have thought Warrington, Saints and Catalan were all ahead of them.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Mar 08, 2017 12:24 pm  

[Gareth] wrote:

Leeds will throw everything barr the kitchen sink at him if hes coming over

I know some may disagree, but i hope he goes there and makes them better.

SL needs a strong Leeds side imo. I'm sure the club will want them to be a strong as possible so that we can have some absolute bell ringers with them as well.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Mar 08, 2017 12:47 pm  

Gives me George Williams over Widdop every day of the week!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Mar 08, 2017 1:02 pm  

moto748 wrote:

Gives me George Williams over Widdop every day of the week!

I would think everyone would agree but sadly he wants to try his hand in the NRL. Widdop would be a good replacement IMO

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Mar 08, 2017 4:06 pm  

I suspect next year will be one year to early for George (assuming he wants to) to go to the NRL. If he does go he needs to be assured of a spot and signed as a starting half not a back up otherwise he would be foolish imo.

If it did happen next year Widdop would be a good signing and solve the goal kicking issue however I think Leeds would have more money to offer.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Mar 08, 2017 10:52 pm  

Don't see anything in widdop personally, however I'm basing my opinions purely on internationals

Rank average player with decent kicking game and ok supporting skills.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Mar 09, 2017 1:59 am  

tugglesf78 wrote:

Don't see anything in widdop personally, however I'm basing my opinions purely on internationals

Rank average player with decent kicking game and ok supporting skills.

If you add in 'decent defender', that's pretty much his NRL career too. He busy, and always sees plenty of the ball in hand, but there's not a hell of a lot of end-product.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Mar 09, 2017 10:03 am  

I think there is a strong succession plan in place at Wigan with Jake Shorrocks being lined up to replace TL. If Williams goes first I think Shorrocks is the natural replacement and who better to play alongside than TL as an on field mentor. We would then be looking for a half when TL retires who would probably need to be brought into the club.

I would be gutted to see Williams go next year,hopefully we can keep him for another season after this but he will be very much in the shop window during the World Cup and to be fair the way he has started this year probably already is attracting plenty of attention from the NRL.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Mar 09, 2017 12:19 pm  

jonh wrote:

I think there is a strong succession plan in place at Wigan with Jake Shorrocks being lined up to replace TL. If Williams goes first I think Shorrocks is the natural replacement and who better to play alongside than TL as an on field mentor. We would then be looking for a half when TL retires who would probably need to be brought into the club.

I would be gutted to see Williams go next year,hopefully we can keep him for another season after this but he will be very much in the shop window during the World Cup and to be fair the way he has started this year probably already is attracting plenty of attention from the NRL.

The two Sams (Powell & Tomkins) would also be natural replacements as well so I do not see a need to bring anyone in, if Escare continues as he has done then I would not be surprised to see him sign a longer contract which would free Sam T to move into the halves as a possibility.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Mar 09, 2017 3:41 pm  

exiled Warrior wrote:

The two Sams (Powell & Tomkins) would also be natural replacements as well so I do not see a need to bring anyone in, if Escare continues as he has done then I would not be surprised to see him sign a longer contract which would free Sam T to move into the halves as a possibility.

Good points although I think Powell has found a home as a hooker, wouldn't mind him acting as cover but not a regular starting half.