Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:32 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

Saints haven't had two specialist centres since Talau left. We still get to the GF every year, so it can't hurt that much. There's not really any clubs, save perhaps Wire, that have any depth in this position.

The problem occurs at an early stage IMO. I've seen it happen time and again in junior RL. We get a good kid who's played since he was 10 or 11 at centre, and by the time he's into the U16s, and he's gained a bit of height and weight, he gets shunted into the second row. Seems to be a bit of a Britsh disease.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Nov 08, 2011 7:41 pm  

IL should get on the phone and try to change Gasnier's mind about his retirement! And a swansong season for Lockyer over here would work very nicely!

[DaveO]

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:00 pm  

Kernel wrote:

IL pretty much confirmed no new centre next year (and reading beetween lines, no new half back).

So our team (going off that and the big assumption that Dudson/Flower are signed):

1. Tomkins
2. Charnley
3. Goulding
4. Carmont
5. Richards
6. Finch
7. Mellor
8. Fielden
9. Leuluai
10. Lima
11. Hock
12. Hansen
13. O'Loughlin

14. Lauaki
15. Mossop
16. McIllorum
17. Prescott

Others: Dudson / Flower / Liam Farrell / Chris Tuson / Stefan Marsh / Dom Crosby / Jack Hughes / Amos Roberts

I am pretty sure form what was said at one of the press conferences TL is going back to play 7. So the team would be:

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Charnley
3. Goulding
4. Carmont
5. Richards
6. Finch
7. Leuluai
8. Fielden
9. McIllorum
10. Lima
11. Hock
12. Hansen
13. O'Loughlin

14. Lauaki
15. Mossop
16. Logan Tomkins
17. Prescott

If you thought the right side with Tomkins/Charnley was porous, I dread to think what would happen with Goulding/Charnley. Imagine Joel Monaghan and Atkins vs those 2? Laughable.

Frightening prospect.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:17 pm  

I'm expecting you to sign at least one more decent player...be very surprised if you don't bring another centre in.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:09 pm  

Got help Goulding, the usual people that make him a scapegoat have got their knives out already. As I type they are probably writing their weekly Goulding should be dropped threads in anticipation. If any team score a try down his side it will automatically be his fault and unless his winger scores 3 tries then he will be ball greedy. Makes you proud to be a Wigan fan doesnt it

[DaveO]

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Nov 08, 2011 10:45 pm  

Famous wrote:

Got help Goulding, the usual people that make him a scapegoat have got their knives out already. As I type they are probably writing their weekly Goulding should be dropped threads in anticipation. If any team score a try down his side it will automatically be his fault and unless his winger scores 3 tries then he will be ball greedy. Makes you proud to be a Wigan fan doesnt it

Goulding had a tough deal under Nobby being dropped like a red hot coal after we lost a game virtually never to be seen again that particular season.

However it is also true that under a more enlightened coach he could not displace Joel at centre and Joel was not a particularly good centre. You can't blame people for questioning if a player not deemed good enough to displace a 2nd row pretending to be a centre is going to be good enough.

Maybe his injury being sorted will give him a new lease of life. It looks like he is going to get the chance.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Wed Nov 09, 2011 12:45 am  

looking forward to 2012 and the mediocre displays of rugby we could see

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Wed Nov 09, 2011 1:18 am  

Baked Bean Boogie wrote:

looking forward to 2012 and the mediocre displays of rugby we could see

Why? We still have Sam, Charnley, Carmont, Pat, Finch, Leuluai and O'Loughlin etc. all of who are capable of spectacular rugby. So what we've lost Hoffman, Coley, Joel and Deacon, Joel aside who of those was capable of spectacular rugby? We've not lost the heart of our team. I think people are over-reacting a tad to this recruitment business. Not to mention the final squad hasnt even been announced.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Wed Nov 09, 2011 1:57 am  

DaveO wrote:

Goulding had a tough deal under Nobby being dropped like a red hot coal after we lost a game virtually never to be seen again that particular season.

However it is also true that under a more enlightened coach he could not displace Joel at centre and Joel was not a particularly good centre. You can't blame people for questioning if a player not deemed good enough to displace a 2nd row pretending to be a centre is going to be good enough.

Maybe his injury being sorted will give him a new lease of life. It looks like he is going to get the chance.

You make some fair points Dave.
Darrell Goulding had a good spell when he was given a shot as starting centre in 2008 IIRC under Noble. He initially played very well and impressed, but as the season progressed he struggled and then his inclusion in the team was very sporadic. He's played the odd game at centre since and each time he's impressed. Scored a brilliant try when he played centre v Hull FC at home a while back IIRC. There's potential in Goulding IMO.

For now Wigan don't have much choice but to stick with him. Initially for me I just want him to be able to defend. Just get his defence right and the attack will come. Good luck to the lad - who knows what will happen. I'm certainly not writing him off.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:58 am  

FIOS wrote:

Why? We still have Sam, Charnley, Carmont, Pat, Finch, Leuluai and O'Loughlin etc. all of who are capable of spectacular rugby. So what we've lost Hoffman, Coley, Joel and Deacon, Joel aside who of those was capable of spectacular rugby? We've not lost the heart of our team. I think people are over-reacting a tad to this recruitment business. Not to mention the final squad hasnt even been announced.

we will be lucky if we finish 4th even 5th next season