: Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:30 am  

Griffin came across to be our last resort of actually signing anybody for 2010, it is a tad worrying that we have appeared to have missed out on him.

However, I trust IL has other targets or may have already got somebody (or somebodies) lined up.

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:35 am  

lets hope IFL has somebody lined up or the season ticket sales for next season will fall massively!

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:23 am  

wiganstripleL wrote:

lets hope IFL has somebody lined up or the season ticket sales for next season will fall massively!

To be honest, I doubt that.

They may take a hit if we fail to do anything in the play-offs and if Noble is still in charge next year, but I doubt that masses of fans are waiting to see if we sign a star before they commit. And I'd say it was highly unlikely that anyone at all was waiting on Griffin before they decided (much as I think he'd have done a good job for us).

This is clearly part of a painful re-education we're having to go through about cutting down on signing big names and instead trying to grow our own (which will be essential when the overseas quota finally bites). I'm still hopeful that we'll occasionally pull in a big star, but the emphasis has clearly now shifted away from signing a new bag of players every close season. We fans are just going to have to get used to that.

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:07 am  

Another epic fail for Tricky Dicky!

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:26 am  

Glynola wrote:

Another epic fail for Tricky Dicky!

To be fair I had spoken to a few of the coaches and junior players and it seemed nailed on he was on his way to Wigan given his relationship breakdown with certain people within the Hudds club.

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:00 pm  

The only name in the prop department we've been linked with who is still available would be Ryan Boyle of Cas, will be interesting to see where he ends up now.

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:29 pm  

LovesToSpooge wrote:

The only name in the prop department we've been linked with who is still available would be Ryan Boyle of Cas, will be interesting to see where he ends up now.

Apparently, Cas' are training to sign Paul Jackson from Huddersfield.

Could be to replace Ryan Boyle.

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:59 pm  

Read on the Cas board that Boyle will be going to Salford.

I can't see that he'd be any better then O'Carroll or Mossop anyway.

If we're to sign anybody it must be a prop that got abit of experience about him and will just drive us forward.

IMO it'd be pointless signing abit of a 'project' style signing who you 'hope' will be a good player in 2 or 3 years.........we have enough of them already.

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:23 pm  

cruncher..

maybe a slight over-reaction by myself before!
mick hogan has stipulated that the home grown players will be the backbone of this wigan team. which i agree with 100%.

think whatever IFL does he isnt going to please everyone,

: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:40 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

To be honest, I doubt that.

They may take a hit if we fail to do anything in the play-offs and if Noble is still in charge next year, but I doubt that masses of fans are waiting to see if we sign a star before they commit. And I'd say it was highly unlikely that anyone at all was waiting on Griffin before they decided (much as I think he'd have done a good job for us).

This is clearly part of a painful re-education we're having to go through about cutting down on signing big names and instead trying to grow our own (which will be essential when the overseas quota finally bites). I'm still hopeful that we'll occasionally pull in a big star, but the emphasis has clearly now shifted away from signing a new bag of players every close season. We fans are just going to have to get used to that.

Were going the right way in terms of using homegrown or English players when it comes to our pack. We have got a pretty good set of forwards and next season there might only be 2 overseas players in the pack with Feka and Riddell (assuming Bailey leaves).