Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 10:39 am  

George Burgess would be an outrageous signing.

Hastings, French and Burgess for next year & IL/KR have answered their critics for me. Massive statement, huge investment and I truly believe the crowds would follow.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 10:57 am  

ChrisA wrote:

If we get a fully fit squad

Hardaker/French
Manfredi
Hankinson/French
Gildart
Burgess
French/Tommy
Hastings
Burgess
Tommy/Sam
Flower
Greenwood
Farrell
Lockers


That's a damn fine starting 13, with lots of options off the bench/cover injuries. Get that lot playing well with confidence and you've got size, aggression, talent and pace.

It's always a good sign when players who would be struggling to make the team are genuine first teamers. Marshall, Davies, Bibby, Isa, Bullock, Partington, Smithies, Clubb have all played regular first team and would be fighting for bench spots. That's before we get to the emerging talent such as Byrne, Havard, Smith, Kibula etc. Get these signings over the line and next season is looking very promising indeed!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 11:02 am  

One thing I do wonder if Burgess signs, is that a sign that Lockers is retiring? Lam spoke last week how his mind wasn’t made up and you wonder if with the emergence of Smithies and this potential signing, he’s been convinced it’s a decent time to call it quits.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 11:26 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

One thing I do wonder if Burgess signs, is that a sign that Lockers is retiring? Lam spoke last week how his mind wasn’t made up and you wonder if with the emergence of Smithies and this potential signing, he’s been convinced it’s a decent time to call it quits.

On the other side he might fancy one more year in what's shaping up to be a very good team. Since Barrett left he's pretty much been the main guy and I'm sure he'll love 12 months with Hastings & Burgess - heck he could spell his games even more over next season and give Smithies that extra year to continue to develop.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 11:40 am  

Just look at the positivity that’s come along since this potential signing was mooted,many people bar a highlight reel have heard of French,should he come but Burgess is a big statement by the club,even if it comes to naught.

Far too long Wigan have been linked with little known players,most it has to be said have done a job but what was needed was a big name and this is it,now will it tempt fans back into the DW I simply don’t know but it’s a grand way to find out.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 11:41 am  

sergeant pepper wrote:

On the other side he might fancy one more year in what's shaping up to be a very good team. Since Barrett left he's pretty much been the main guy and I'm sure he'll love 12 months with Hastings & Burgess - heck he could spell his games even more over next season and give Smithies that extra year to continue to develop.

I agree. Would work well all round. O'loughlin is still the best back rower in the comp on his day and next season is too early to be putting that burden on Smithies. Good though he is, he isn't the best back rower in the comp! Another season of joint duties would be the best approach for his career development.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:20 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

The people who make the "tight" comments are the same type of people who argue "Brexit will stop Muslims coming to this country". They grab two disparate ends of an argument and make an imaginary constant thread. There's no point in hoping for a rational argument from them. It will never happen.

Unwanted political view/analogy of the week goes to.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:48 pm  

Had it confirmed from a first teamer (same one that told me we were going all out for Hastings and trying to get josh Jones) that George Burgess is a done deal!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 1:00 pm  

RedWarrior32 wrote:

Had it confirmed from a first teamer (same one that told me we were going all out for Hastings and trying to get josh Jones) that George Burgess is a done deal!

Did they mention anything about French?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 1:03 pm  

dh13 wrote:

Did they mention anything about French?

He’s not heard anything to be confirmed ,that’s not to say it isn’t confirmed,but will keep me posted