* * * Rumours & Signings XII * * *

: Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:16 pm

Saint Simon wrote:

But for the same money you would play with Lockyer. Signing Lockyer would probably pay for itself in increased gates and shirt sales etc. so as a business decision, as well as a playing one (get sam to learn off THE master) it makes sense.

Agreed.

Quite a few people don't want someone like Lockyer because they feel we'd be better signing a talented youngster - like Myler.

I'd never object to us signing Myler, but we've already got a number of talented youngsters. One thing we HAVEN'T got is a dominant midfield intellect; an experienced leader and playmaker who can direct the team around the field. Lockyer could undoubtedly provide this. I know he's a veteran, and I know he'd command a big wage (though, at his age, not quite as big as some are suggesting), but if he was available we'd be barmy not to go for him.

People are attaching great significance to this idea of having a settled halfback parternship for four or five years. There's no doubt this is desirable. But is it manageable? Even if we signed Myler right now and slotted him in alongside Sam, there's no guarantee they'd both still be here in two years time. Anything can happen in sport. You can plan the future to a certan extent, but I don't think you can afford to plan it at the expense of the hear and now.

More important than anything at Wigan, after appointing a coach who's able to coach the modern game, is to appoint a skilled halfback who knows how to control his team and open defences.

And as SS says, think of the positive spin-offs for Sam. Throughout life, masters and apprentices have formed very effective working partnerships. Rarely have two apprentices together achieved anything like the same success.