[DaveO]

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jul 22, 2019 8:14 pm  

jonh wrote:

I think we are looking to add significant strike in the halves and that is the idea behind French.

Nearly everything goes through Hastings at Salford. He pretty much controls both sides in attack, hence why I think they were happy to let Lui join Leeds.

I think he will totally dominate our creative/organisation just as he does at Salford and we will use French to add pace and strike in the middle of the park.

If the club is going to effectively deskill the other half back slot to the extent a player with pace who is not a recognised halve can do the job why do we need to go to Australia to find such a player?

Next season both Manfredi and Davies should be back so if all we want is a player with pace to follow Hastings around then Marshall or Escare can do that and the wages spent on French could be better spent on a prop.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jul 22, 2019 8:54 pm  

DaveO wrote:

If the club is going to effectively deskill the other half back slot to the extent a player with pace who is not a recognised halve can do the job why do we need to go to Australia to find such a player?

Next season both Manfredi and Davies should be back so if all we want is a player with pace to follow Hastings around then Marshall or Escare can do that and the wages spent on French could be better spent on a prop.

Seems to me,other than this lad is fast,no one can offer a compelling reason as to why Wigan should sign this lad?

YouTube highlight reel aside and the word of law that is the mole there is little rhyme or reason for him signing it seems to me.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jul 22, 2019 9:56 pm  

hengirl wrote:

Seems to me,other than this lad is fast,no one can offer a compelling reason as to why Wigan should sign this lad?

YouTube highlight reel aside and the word of law that is the mole there is little rhyme or reason for him signing it seems to me.

There’s a reason Lam is our head coach and not random fans off a forum. If the club wants to sign French then obviously there is a compelling reason why.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jul 22, 2019 10:14 pm  

Wigg'n wrote:

There’s a reason Lam is our head coach and not random fans off a forum. If the club wants to sign French then obviously there is a compelling reason why.

But its only random fans, so far at least that's said he's coming, not the clubs flat out denial when asked wasn't it?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jul 22, 2019 10:38 pm  

When French came into the Eels side, he had a massive reputation coming up thru the junior sides. He spoke out about wanting to play FB and lost his place. I think he could be a masterstroke signing if he comes to SL and hope its with us.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 23, 2019 5:08 am  

I'll be in the minority and would love us to sign French.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 23, 2019 7:19 am  

I'm in the minority too.
I like fast backs, and he's a very fast back. If possible get him signed.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 23, 2019 7:34 am  

DaveO wrote:

If the club is going to effectively deskill the other half back slot to the extent a player with pace who is not a recognised halve can do the job why do we need to go to Australia to find such a player?

Next season both Manfredi and Davies should be back so if all we want is a player with pace to follow Hastings around then Marshall or Escare can do that and the wages spent on French could be better spent on a prop.

We know the issues with Escare and the reasons he is not wanted by Wigan, that’s been done to death.

Nobody is saying chuck a winger in at 6.

French is much more than a winger, he USA linking fullback predominantly with pace and agility who has played on the wing.

I don’t like making comparisons but assume you have not seen him play with the above post, so he has a similar style to Sam Tomkins as a 1.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 23, 2019 8:19 am  

ChrisA wrote:

I'll be in the minority and would love us to sign French.

Me too. With Hastings signed and credible sources saying French is a done deal along with the faint hope we sign a blockbusting prop then I've not been this excited since the signings of 'The Melbourne Three' which seems like a decade ago.

Exciting attacking players puts bums on seats, christ knows we need it.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 23, 2019 9:17 am  

I have a sneaky feeling most people doubting the French signing (if it happens) haven't seen him play at all or especially not as a FB or 6.
I've heard people commenting on 'why do we need another winger' to 'my friend says he's a Aussie Escare' which is hilarious.

In French you have a ball player, not just a fast outside back. He's more of a Matty Bowen than Escare, quick, agile and has passing skills to pick out the right man. At 23 he's young and still developing his game and his physicality. He's also bigger than what people think.

I'm one of those who bang on about how we split the halves, and we still clearly do under Lam. I'd love to see Hastings operating closer to the ruck as an 'old school' 7 controlling the game at either side ruck with French running off him in the 5/8 with Hardaker operating both out wide and as a support player down the middle (think more Chris Rads than Sam T).

I'll praise Lam for letting Powell play more 'off the cuff' rugby. I know from speaking to ex players, the old philosophy for the 9 at Wigan was getting quick accurate ball as fast as possible to the 6 and 7 to clear the ruck and play with pace, that's also why props were encourages to 'find their front' after contact to ensure we controlled the ruck with pace in attack, and slowed it down in D to let our line reset before the opposition played the ball.

Powell was just doing his job, tackling all day long and doing what he can to clear the ruck with pace, would have been discouraged to scoot.

Now, it would appear, Powell is being allowed to play what's in front of him, if he sees space; take the yards etc.

If all this is true, French would be a great signing and fit into our team, with his pace, off-the-cuff attacking ability, he'd fit nicely into what I think Lam is trying to achieve.