Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 5:43 pm  

What do we think that club are waiting around for?

1) Recruitment isn't finished yet, announce all at same time? More to come?

2) Waiting to release someone? Tie up all announcements in one day?

3) Announce it a few days before our next home game to boost the crowd?

4) Other reasons?

At this moment in time I'm thinking we have both Burgess and French signed (hopefully not on handshakes).

Plus TL and Lockers to announce staying/retiring.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 5:46 pm  

Wigan Peer wrote:

Especially after the Edwards debacle..

Who?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 5:48 pm  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

Agree with you John but Lam can have the odd wobble e.g. Sarginson is the best FB in the world., when doing press interviews.
I did ask the guy about French and he stated that Wigan have made an approach but he was unaware if he had actually signed.

Hopefully no more outgoing first team players and another prop would do me nicely

Another prop in addition to Burgess? That would give us around 10 first team props. Im fine with our pack if we bring Burgess in - it was always about quality rather quantity for me. Id be happy with our squad as a whole frankly, whilst acknowledging we're quite reliant on Hankinson as right centre. I assume we're planning on using Bibby as a back up there but would have preferred a specialist centre.

I think Leuluai has been good this year - easily capable of going around again. O'Loughlin if we're really honest has been generally poor bar two to four good games and when he starts to pick up some form his body inevitably lets him down. With the emergence of Smithies I doubt many fans would protest too much if he calls it a day. I'm sure the club will let him do whatever he wants to do - because of his years of service I think a significant part of his salary is exempt from the cap.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 6:17 pm  

A player like Burgess would mean we don’t need anymore props. He’s top class and him and Flower starting with two from Clubb, Clark, Bullock, Navarette, Partington, Byrne and Havard would be more than fine by me. I think we’d see further improvements in Sam Powell’s running game on the back of better go forward also.

I hope to god this signing comes off. To have a sniff of this and it then not happen would be tough to take.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 6:46 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

A player like Burgess would mean we don’t need anymore props. He’s top class and him and Flower starting with two from Clubb, Clark, Bullock, Navarette, Partington, Byrne and Havard would be more than fine by me. I think we’d see further improvements in Sam Powell’s running game on the back of better go forward also.

I hope to god this signing comes off. To have a sniff of this and it then not happen would be tough to take.

Don't forget that we have a reserve team next year and I expect Havard, Byrne and possibly Partington to be part of that set up.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 8:08 pm  

Wigan Peer wrote:

Especially after the Edwards debacle..

Talking of Edwards, we really dodged a bullet there. Adrian Lam must have been hugely instrumental in the recruitment already scheduled for next season plus those that also appear to be in the pipeline for 2020. Funny how these things pan out.

After an obvious transition period/season (who knows, we could still surprise some), we are starting to play some entertaining, fast flowing rugby and you can tell the players are enjoying it.

Even if the proposed signings don’t come off (French, Burgess), trying to lure players of this calibre, for the first time in ages, shows the intent of IL and KR in trying to take the club to the next level. Credit where credit’s due.

I, for one, am feeling quite optimistic.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 10:44 pm  

It doesn't look like Hampshire is going to stay at Wakey based on what someone connected with the club (Daddycool) has put over in their board. What would people think if we could pick him up to compete for the 6 shirt? He's one that got away IMO and should have been given a crack in the halves. Not a rumour by the way, just a hypothetical.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jul 25, 2019 11:22 pm  

Grimmy wrote:

It doesn't look like Hampshire is going to stay at Wakey based on what their chairman (Daddycool) has put over in their board. What would people think if we could pick him up to compete for the 6 shirt? He's one that got away IMO and should have been given a crack in the halves. Not a rumour by the way, just a hypothetical.

Daddycool is not Mike Carter.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jul 26, 2019 5:19 am  

Grimmy wrote:

It doesn't look like Hampshire is going to stay at Wakey based on what their chairman (Daddycool) has put over in their board. What would people think if we could pick him up to compete for the 6 shirt? He's one that got away IMO and should have been given a crack in the halves. Not a rumour by the way, just a hypothetical.

Wouldn’t do it for me,everywhere he’s been no one seems to know his best place in the side though must admit he looked good at Wakey,does seem to have an elevated view of his worth,one not shared by clubs he’s either been at or are considering him as a signing

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Jul 26, 2019 5:42 am  

Grimmy wrote:

It doesn't look like Hampshire is going to stay at Wakey based on what their chairman (Daddycool) has put over in their board. What would people think if we could pick him up to compete for the 6 shirt? He's one that got away IMO and should have been given a crack in the halves. Not a rumour by the way, just a hypothetical.

How is he ‘one that got away’? He’s hardly pulled up trees at Wakey and they haven’t deemed him good enough for a consistent run at 6. I would personally rather have French or even Escare for that.