Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:42 pm  

James Graham, Cheyse Blair

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:32 pm  

The Whiffy Kipper wrote:

James Graham, Cheyse Blair

Graham has allegedly already signed for St George, just hasn’t been announced yet.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 20, 2017 11:42 pm  

ksm1701 wrote:

Graham has allegedly already signed for St George, just hasn’t been announced yet.

was a wish more than anything, you can just see how livid the saints fans would be if it happened, be like Gary Connolly all over again

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Aug 21, 2017 2:37 pm  

The Whiffy Kipper wrote:

was a wish more than anything, you can just see how livid the saints fans would be if it happened, be like Gary Connolly all over again

It would be worth it even if he never played a game for us, just to watch redvee meltdown!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 26, 2017 4:44 am  

Father Ted wrote:

SBW is probably the most famous rugby player in the world.
Whatever contract he is offered it will need a substantial amount to sign him. Can't see the club actually landing him. By then Lockers will have finished and I'd imagine Sam T would be on a lower salary therefore money may be available. That is unless a real quality player on top money has been brought in to replace Lockers. I'd be very happy with SBW in a Wigan shirt but the logistics appear against it.

The days of Wigan getting the cheque book out are a distant memory I am afraid. Those were the days when even the likes of Wally Lewis playing in the cherry & white was a distinct possibility.

IMHO our chairman won't spend to increase the quality of the squad. And far too many of our fans will accept mediocrity because they equate winning trophies with having high quality players/club. Even though most of this season we have been producing embarassing dross. There is a voting thread at the moment that a boring win is the be all and end all for Wigan. Sorry not for me. Brought up on Wigan; the best club in the world.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:49 am  

fleabag wrote:

The days of Wigan getting the cheque book out are a distant memory I am afraid. Those were the days when even the likes of Wally Lewis playing in the cherry & white was a distinct possibility.

IMHO our chairman won't spend to increase the quality of the squad. And far too many of our fans will accept mediocrity because they equate winning trophies with having high quality players/club. Even though most of this season we have been producing embarassing dross. There is a voting thread at the moment that a boring win is the be all and end all for Wigan. Sorry not for me. Brought up on Wigan; the best club in the world.

What a load of rubbish! Our chairman puts a hell of a lot of his personal money into the club. How do you think we financed the 2 x marquee players? The meltdown on here would have been unbearable if he'd allowed Tomkins or Williams to be signed at Warrington or Saints! We have both because of our chairman!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 27, 2017 9:27 am  

fleabag wrote:

The days of Wigan getting the cheque book out are a distant memory I am afraid. Those were the days when even the likes of Wally Lewis playing in the cherry & white was a distinct possibility.

IMHO our chairman won't spend to increase the quality of the squad. And far too many of our fans will accept mediocrity because they equate winning trophies with having high quality players/club. Even though most of this season we have been producing embarassing dross. There is a voting thread at the moment that a boring win is the be all and end all for Wigan. Sorry not for me. Brought up on Wigan; the best club in the world.

yet we are the only team with a marquee... but in fact have 2, who do you think is paying their salaries?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 27, 2017 4:43 pm  

Let's look at our weaknesses and address them. We are desperately in need of a half and a prop.

Can't really understand the Hoffman signing (assuming he does return). He is and has been a very good player but it isn't like we are light in the back row.

I expected a big game from FPN yesterday but it didn't happen and I don't think his performances in the main have been up to standard.

Tommy, I'm so disappointed by. Last year he was great at NZ Warriors but for whatever reason it just hasn't happened.

I'm also hoping for a major shake up with the coaching staff.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 27, 2017 5:41 pm  

jonh wrote:

Let's look at our weaknesses and address them. We are desperately in need of a half and a prop.

Can't really understand the Hoffman signing (assuming he does return). He is and has been a very good player but it isn't like we are light in the back row.

I expected a big game from FPN yesterday but it didn't happen and I don't think his performances in the main have been up to standard.

Tommy, I'm so disappointed by. Last year he was great at NZ Warriors but for whatever reason it just hasn't happened.

I'm also hoping for a major shake up with the coaching staff.

I'm very much a 'glass half full' fan but the last 2 seasons have shown glaring holes that need to be filled. I was delighted when Smith left and TL came back and at the start of the season, he guided us around very well which let Williams to wreak havoc. He was unplayable at times but for some reason after TL came back from his injury the spark just isn't there. I'm sure they both have it in them still but it isn't firing.
Tomkins is a different player to the one who left but for me is still a key figure in our future. FB or HB I'm not sure. What yesterday showed was that a great kicking game can win big games. Hull kicked us off the park and Brough has done time and time again for Huddersfield. Our kicking by game is poor and I'm not sure moving ST to the halves addresses that.
The forwards are clearly playing to instructions. We play 'back sets' far too often for my liking and I'd like to see our big lads run hard and straight out of our half. Will a new prop do that? Not if they're instructed to leave it to the backs.
I don't know what the answer is but we're really not far off. With the squad we have and the potential we have we could be on the verge of a really dominant few years but we just need something to click. As I say, I can't put my finger on it but a better kicking game would certainly give us an extra few percent.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Aug 27, 2017 10:19 pm  

Bigredwarrior wrote:

I'm very much a 'glass half full' fan but the last 2 seasons have shown glaring holes that need to be filled. I was delighted when Smith left and TL came back and at the start of the season, he guided us around very well which let Williams to wreak havoc. He was unplayable at times but for some reason after TL came back from his injury the spark just isn't there. I'm sure they both have it in them still but it isn't firing.
Tomkins is a different player to the one who left but for me is still a key figure in our future. FB or HB I'm not sure. What yesterday showed was that a great kicking game can win big games. Hull kicked us off the park and Brough has done time and time again for Huddersfield. Our kicking by game is poor and I'm not sure moving ST to the halves addresses that.
The forwards are clearly playing to instructions. We play 'back sets' far too often for my liking and I'd like to see our big lads run hard and straight out of our half. Will a new prop do that? Not if they're instructed to leave it to the backs.
I don't know what the answer is but we're really not far off. With the squad we have and the potential we have we could be on the verge of a really dominant few years but we just need something to click. As I say, I can't put my finger on it but a better kicking game would certainly give us an extra few percent.

Very good post. I think the answer lies at coaching level. Wane either needs a replacement for Harris/Deacon or needs replacing himself. I think we are in need of a change of Head coach with Wane either leaving if he wishes to continue his coaching career or moving upstairs into 'head of youth development' or something similar. I think any coach, however good or bad has a limited life as head coach at a single club and for me Wane is reaching the end of his time.