Hardaker? : Fri Apr 15, 2022 11:12 pm  

Even though i no longer attend games i noticed that he did not play on Good Friday because he "fell below the standards" does that mean he as been a naughty boy again?

Re: Hardaker? : Sat Apr 16, 2022 8:24 am  

Constantly late for training due to travelling from Yorkshire. Good way for Peet to show some authority too, he's off at the end of the year and they are already planning for life without him.

Re: Hardaker? : Sat Apr 16, 2022 8:43 am  

SFW wrote:

Constantly late for training due to travelling from Yorkshire. Good way for Peet to show some authority too, he's off at the end of the year and they are already planning for life without him.

No doubt that will please some but I think he’ll be a big loss. Yes he’s had issues but other than this and the initial palaver when he signed he’s generally kept his head down and been a fantastic player for us. Did he reach the heights he did at Leeds/Cas? No but he’s played consistently well and never took a backwards step. So much so it wasn’t too long ago some would have been happy to have him in a leadership position. I think it’s a mistake to let him go, assuming it’s our decision, and he should be offered a new deal.

Re: Hardaker? : Sat Apr 16, 2022 9:10 am  

100% Warrior wrote:

No doubt that will please some but I think he’ll be a big loss. Yes he’s had issues but other than this and the initial palaver when he signed he’s generally kept his head down and been a fantastic player for us. Did he reach the heights he did at Leeds/Cas? No but he’s played consistently well and never took a backwards step. So much so it wasn’t too long ago some would have been happy to have him in a leadership position. I think it’s a mistake to let him go, assuming it’s our decision, and he should be offered a new deal.

It's not our decision. He would have gone this year had he found a club in Yorkshire.

Re: Hardaker? : Sat Apr 16, 2022 9:43 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

It's not our decision. He would have gone this year had he found a club in Yorkshire.

Not strictly true by all accounts. Didn’t Lenagan say we have a years option in our favour if we want to take it? I doubt we will mind.

Whatever happens we need some star quality bringing in to that backline next season. No gap to Saints is closing by keep signing squad fillers who will start games. Guys like Bibby, Thornley, Miski etc aren’t going to get the better of guys like Makinson and Percival. If Hardaker and French go, that is two more good attacking weapons gone. I’d be all over Tom Johnstone if it wasn’t for the injuries and Nene MacDonald is a must target IMO.

Re: Hardaker? : Sat Apr 16, 2022 9:55 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

Not strictly true by all accounts. Didn’t Lenagan say we have a years option in our favour if we want to take it? I doubt we will mind.

Whatever happens we need some star quality bringing in to that backline next season. No gap to Saints is closing by keep signing squad fillers who will start games. Guys like Bibby, Thornley, Miski etc aren’t going to get the better of guys like Makinson and Percival. If Hardaker and French go, that is two more good attacking weapons gone. I’d be all over Tom Johnstone if it wasn’t for the injuries and Nene MacDonald is a must target IMO.

Possibly true but keeping a player who doesn't want to be here for another year would be foolish and untenable so although it might be technically true we could keep him I think we're playing the hand that's been dealt. Hardaker himself is on record as saying he would have left this year had the opportunity been there but no club came in for him.

I agree about squad players in starting berths. Saints would not have Bibby or Isa, for example, in their starting team. That's not meant to open a "which players would get in the Saints side" type debate as that is irrelevant. I mean under any circumstances regardless of which players they would be replacing. They just wouldn't. I understand they are great guys and model professionals etc but that in and of itself will not win you trophies. That are squad players, nothing more and that should be their role at the club. Certainly not as definite starters.

Re: Hardaker? : Sat Apr 16, 2022 10:01 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

Possibly true but keeping a player who doesn't want to be here for another year would be foolish and untenable so although it might be technically true we could keep him I think we're playing the hand that's been dealt. Hardaker himself is on record as saying he would have left this year had the opportunity been there but no club came in for him.

I agree about squad players in starting berths. Saints would not have Bibby or Isa, for example, in their starting team. That's not meant to open a "which players would get in the Saints side" type debate as that is irrelevant. I mean under any circumstances regardless of which players they would be replacing. They just wouldn't. I understand they are great guys and model professionals etc but that in and of itself will not win you trophies. That are squad players, nothing more and that should be their role at the club. Certainly not as definite starters.

We definitely won’t keep him, there’s just no point is there when he doesn’t want to be here. I just hope the plan isn’t to just think we can go with Thornley and Bibby as a centre pairing. It’s just not going to be enough to progress.

Re: Hardaker? : Sat Apr 16, 2022 10:16 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

We definitely won’t keep him, there’s just no point is there when he doesn’t want to be here. I just hope the plan isn’t to just think we can go with Thornley and Bibby as a centre pairing. It’s just not going to be enough to progress.

Bibby needs to go. We need a quality centre with Halsall and Thornley competing for the other spot.

Re: Hardaker? : Sat Apr 16, 2022 10:23 am  

Sweaty Betty's wrote:

Bibby needs to go. We need a quality centre with Halsall and Thornley competing for the other spot.

I like Bibby but yesterday highlighted how far short of being a top level centre he is. He is a guy that should really be competing for a wing spot and maybe used as an emergency option at centre. His skill set is too limited to be starting as a centre at Wigan. I didn’t even mind the fact the pass to Faz was a shocker but how does a top level player never look to his left and notice you have a flying machine free as a bird?

He is the absolute prime example of a guy who should be a squad player starting games week in, week out for us as first choice.

Re: Hardaker? : Sat Apr 16, 2022 10:25 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

We definitely won’t keep him, there’s just no point is there when he doesn’t want to be here. I just hope the plan isn’t to just think we can go with Thornley and Bibby as a centre pairing. It’s just not going to be enough to progress.

I don't think he's fixed up yet, if he has an option in his favour he might activate just to stay earning like French did last year.