Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:49 pm  

Lprhino wrote:

Walters is decent, but let’s put it in perspective, he was scratching around trying to get into a pack that was fairly average at the start of the season. He got into the team as a prop, in a team who didn’t make the playoffs.

Walters is 22, will be 23 by the start or next year and has played under 50 games I think. As a comparison KPP is a year younger, has played 20 odd top level games more and is now in the NRL and playing for England.

Wigan see Walters as a potential replacement for KPP, in some ways you can see that. Both big lads, both got some pace, alright hands and like a shot. However, KPP can play centre at a push, his defence is so far above Walters. Walters is used to being the top guy, best player in all academy years, looks like a monster etc. However, when asked to put the hard work in, defend space, move laterally and read the play he has always been found wanting in open age rugby. Maybe Wigan think they can sort the work rate out in their environment. I just don’t see how you fix the lateral movement and defensive issues, I think those are fundamental and linked to his size. There is a plus and a negative to being that size.

Spot on LP.
He was never going to be a first choice SR for us.
He's fighting with Gannon and Bentley for a bench spot.
He had a much better chance of getting regular game time as a prop for Leeds.
Probably a big part of the reason he's gone.

Looks like he will replace KPP at Wigan, but I agree that he's not at that level.
He has limitations as you've said, in defence in wide areas particularly.
Martin, McDonnell (and KPP) could all adequately cover centre.
Walters couldn't.
He just looks more suited to playing through the middle.

As a prop, he's a loss for us, but hopefully Hudson fills that gap.
As a second row, he's not.

Anyway, good luck to him at Wigan.
Be interesting to see how he goes.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:42 pm  

Matt Shaw online question and answer session today. He confirmed Kershaw training with Leeds. Olpherts still at the club although clubs have been informed he is available. Club will reassess in the new year.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:51 pm  

Would much rather have KPP than Walters though I think he's the best replacement Wigan fans could realistically have hoped for.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Dec 12, 2023 9:05 am  

ArthurClues wrote:

Matt Shaw online question and answer session today. He confirmed Kershaw training with Leeds. Olpherts still at the club although clubs have been informed he is available. Club will reassess in the new year.

Excellent. Kershaw will be signing should he prove himself in pre season i would imagine. I cannot for the life of me beleive we have fully spent the cap and cannot afford him even if Olpherts goes nowhere. Though Salford will be on the look out for a winger now...

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:46 am  

Time to move on from Walters good luck to him he has the physical attributes but a big step up in workrate required if he is going to become a regular starter for Wigan. On paper the Pies have the best squad however they have lost a lot of defensive workrate with Smithies Powell and to a lesser extent KPP.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Dec 12, 2023 12:44 pm  

I reckon if we can have a really solid pre-season, there is more improvement in us than some competitors.

Up front we need a big contribution from Holroyd and Oledski next year, with support from Lisone and Sangare and Hudson vying for a place.

I think our props will look better if our backs are making fewer mistakes and putting us into unnecessary D. Incorrect PTBs and drops were killing us last year at times. We should be a more offensive team as we will be playing a little tighter and applying pressure, you would hope.

I would expect our spine to work better immediately than we saw in 2023; pretty much all 4 are an upgrade in consistency and/or quality.

We have loads of questions to find answers for but we have the capability to win something now I think. Injuries and form will have a big part to play - also RS's coaching credentials are on the line as his team should have more potential. Barring a horrible injury run I'll be joining the Voodoo Crew if we don't finish top half at least in 2024, don't think there can be any excuses not to given the investment made in the squad and the facilities we have for players at Leeds.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Dec 12, 2023 4:33 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

I reckon if we can have a really solid pre-season, there is more improvement in us than some competitors.

Up front we need a big contribution from Holroyd and Oledski next year, with support from Lisone and Sangare and Hudson vying for a place.

I think our props will look better if our backs are making fewer mistakes and putting us into unnecessary D. Incorrect PTBs and drops were killing us last year at times. We should be a more offensive team as we will be playing a little tighter and applying pressure, you would hope.

I would expect our spine to work better immediately than we saw in 2023; pretty much all 4 are an upgrade in consistency and/or quality.

We have loads of questions to find answers for but we have the capability to win something now I think. Injuries and form will have a big part to play - also RS's coaching credentials are on the line as his team should have more potential. Barring a horrible injury run I'll be joining the Voodoo Crew if we don't finish top half at least in 2024, don't think there can be any excuses not to given the investment made in the squad and the facilities we have for players at Leeds.

I know we can all read too much into things but I do get the feeling from the social media output that Rohan is putting a lot of emphasis on team bonding in pre season, I think last year was a lot more turbulent than we probably know about. I'm hoping Rohan has cleared any of the major issues in that respect out.

They do seem a happy bunch in pre season, but as I say could be reading too much into it.

I am really intrigued and excited to see how we go I think we've got a pretty exciting squad and have the ingredients to be able to play some great rugby.

Still think Lachie Miller will be the fans favourite signing come the end of next season, I hope Im proved right!

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Dec 12, 2023 7:31 pm  

Have to agree, I think both GH & RS have put a lot of hope in Lachie, believing he has the Star/Xfactor potential required, Alot of the other signings are the strong, steady, reliable ,good pro types, which are all required in a winning team and the squad does look considerably stronger for 2024 but for something out of the ordinary I hope Lachie's the man.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Dec 12, 2023 7:36 pm  

Croft definitely has a bit of x factor about him too though.

Re: Transfer Talk / Rumour thread V4 : Tue Dec 12, 2023 7:53 pm  

Croft definitely has the X factor I just think Lachie might surprise a few.

We've got some real strike about us if they all settle in and click.

If Newman can stay fit he’ll be much better with the new spine we have aswell, same for Fusi.

Not been this excited for a new season in a long while, hope they don’t let us down!

I do think it will take a couple of months to settle into our stride but should have enough quality to go ok until then