Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 11, 2022 6:46 am  

I think it would be a real shame we’re Bibby to go.

I appreciate we initially used him as a winger but I’ve never regarded him as a specialist winger and I don’t believe he has himself either.

He is still young and has plenty of improvement, and he has real squad value.

I guess the possibility is we could be looking at bringing in a centre and using Halsall in that utility role to develop him but I do still think there is room for Bibby.

For some season the fans don’t ever seem to have warmed to Bibby. I’m not sure why. I think he’s doing well so far.

I can absolutely see Wigan winning trophies with Bibby in the team/squad moving forward.

I’d also question why Hudds would need a starting centre with Lutelle and Wardle in their squad.

Who knows what plans are going on in the background though I guess.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 11, 2022 7:19 am  

jonh wrote:

I think it would be a real shame we’re Bibby to go.

I appreciate we initially used him as a winger but I’ve never regarded him as a specialist winger and I don’t believe he has himself either.

He is still young and has plenty of improvement, and he has real squad value.

I guess the possibility is we could be looking at bringing in a centre and using Halsall in that utility role to develop him but I do still think there is room for Bibby.

For some season the fans don’t ever seem to have warmed to Bibby. I’m not sure why. I think he’s doing well so far.

I can absolutely see Wigan winning trophies with Bibby in the team/squad moving forward.

I’d also question why Hudds would need a starting centre with Lutelle and Wardle in their squad.

Who knows what plans are going on in the background though I guess.

One of the concerns I had last year - and admittedly last year was a strange year - was that we had too many players like Bibby and Isa commanding first team positions. While both of those two are willing workers, neither have great skills, and so it always feels as if we are 'making do' whenever they are on the field rather than putting out the best team we can find.

I know we beat Saints last weekend, but if you look at their normal first team, there's barely a weak link in it. While Bibby and Isa are honest players, they're also weak links by previous Wigan standards. It sounds harsh, but if we were to lose either or both and get someone even a little bit better, then I'd consider it an advance.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 11, 2022 8:07 am  

NSW wrote:

Bibby is no loss, solid enough but as I’ve said all year - not skilful enough to be a centre and too slow/bad under high ball for wing.

If he does go one or two things have happened -

He’s been told he can look for another club as he’s not getting extended at Wigan.

Or

He’s signed for Hudds instead of his home town team (seems hard to believe).

Fine with him going either way.

Only real concern is that a non quota player gone and we seem to struggle to sign good English players.

It's Deffo not No1 - He has been offered a Deal

Money Talks
And If the numbers I'm hearing that Hudds are offering are correct then I don't blame him

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 11, 2022 8:58 am  

Jukesays wrote:

It's Deffo not No1 - He has been offered a Deal

Money Talks
And If the numbers I'm hearing are correct then I don't blame him

Fair play to him. Strange though unless Leutele is not renewing his contract.

Halsall is a made replacement as a squad player however we now must be looking to recruit a centre. We can’t go into next year with Thornley and Halsall as our centre options.

I don’t see where that player comes from though if they are to be non quota.

Gildart I don’t think will be coming back after a year…Farnworth would be the dream, but is sadly just that.

That would suggest at least one of our quota players is moving on, as I’ve said that preference for me would be Miski and Isa however both are under contract for 2023. French is obviously off contract but I’d be reluctant to let him go unless we could bring in one of Davies/Johnstone.

Nene MacDonald would be a cracking addition to the squad I think he’s only on a 1 year deal at Leigh but I’m sure he will be commanding a big contract at Leigh despite their league status.

It’s going to be a really interesting off season, we made big strides particularly up front in the 21-22 off season but I think we have been in transition for a few years but if we get this off-season right I think we may well be not far off the finished article in ‘23.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 11, 2022 9:17 am  

Jukesays wrote:

It's Deffo not No1 - He has been offered a Deal

Money Talks
And If the numbers I'm hearing that Hudds are offering are correct then I don't blame him

A swap for Wardle?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 11, 2022 10:29 am  

Jukesays wrote:

It's Deffo not No1 - He has been offered a Deal

Money Talks
And If the numbers I'm hearing that Hudds are offering are correct then I don't blame him

Makes sense then mate.

Club will have their valuation and stick to it.

As outlined I wouldn’t have been opposed him staying if the coaching staff wanted but 100% not someone I’d want to participate in a bidding war for.

If he wants to return to Watson and go to Hudds for more money rather than stay with us then fair play to him.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 11, 2022 11:36 am  

We need to bring in
Justin Olam to replace Bibby on Miskis quota place
Martin Taupau to replace Partington on Isa's quota place

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 11, 2022 11:48 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

A swap for Wardle?

That would be a fantastic bit of business. That lad is all class however with Bibby being off contract and Wardle having another year to run they don’t need to swap anyone for him.

Long term I hope we have an eye on Wardle as a replacement for Thornley in the squad for 2024 and beyond.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 11, 2022 12:48 pm  

If Bibby were to depart and we used his salary and maybe Isa's to secure KPP on a 3,4 or 5 year deal I'd be very pleased. We seem to have a good supply of 2nd rowers and Kai played centre until his injury. He may lack some extra pace but with Field, French & Marshall,in the backs Kai would still be a massive asset. A back line of Field, French, Pearce-Paul, Thornley, Marshall, Cust & Smith. would be serious box office. They would take some stopping. Halsall, Hanley & Miski would be back up.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu May 12, 2022 11:34 am  

jonh wrote:

That would be a fantastic bit of business. That lad is all class however with Bibby being off contract and Wardle having another year to run they don’t need to swap anyone for him.

Long term I hope we have an eye on Wardle as a replacement for Thornley in the squad for 2024 and beyond.

I too rate Wardle very highly, along with Harry Newman I think are the best two young centres in our game over here, pity both have had lots of injuries though. Connor Wrench at Wire also looks very promising.