Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 19, 2022 4:06 pm  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

Cust doesn't live in Manchester. He's in Orrell

Yep, that’s why I said I could be wrong.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 19, 2022 4:16 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

I'd be dubious of anything Phil Gould says on an issue like this. The guy gives the British game no credit whatsoever. He could never conceive that good players might actually want to be here.

Oh I'm no fan of his by any means - thinks he's far smarter than he actually is. But just throwing it in there FWIW. He also said that Thompson is back in Sydney and I doubt he would say that if it wasn't true.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:51 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Oh I'm no fan of his by any means - thinks he's far smarter than he actually is. But just throwing it in there FWIW. He also said that Thompson is back in Sydney and I doubt he would say that if it wasn't true.

Brent Read (aussie reporter) said Thompson was back training with Canterbury, but isn't available for selection due to concussion protocols

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 19, 2022 8:52 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

Oh I'm no fan of his by any means - thinks he's far smarter than he actually is. But just throwing it in there FWIW. He also said that Thompson is back in Sydney and I doubt he would say that if it wasn't true.

I think you're probably right about this, but I can never hear Gould quoted without taking issue with him. He's a weapon of the first order.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:34 pm  

Thompson was sat with some of the other Bulldogs players at Sunday’s game against Souths. Much as I also dislike Gould, he isn’t lying this time. However, anything he says based on opinion has to be taken with a pinch of salt. You don’t have to back too long to him totally backing Trent Barrett a week before he was about the be sacked. Which ultimately forced Barrett to resign.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Jul 19, 2022 10:44 pm  

Moley on Thompson

English clubs circling Bulldogs hard man


Several English clubs are attempting to lure tough Bulldog Luke Thompson back to Super League next season.

Glamour club Wigan are leading the charge, while at least two other clubs are also keen.

Thompson made a quick trip back home for personal reasons recently, which only threw fuel on the rumour fire.

But the Bulldogs are confident that Thompson will stay on board with the steadily improving club.

"Luke has never shown any interest in going back to UK," Bulldogs boss Phil Gould told Wide World of Sports.

"He is even trying to encourage his mother to come to Australia and live with him.

"I've heard of some interest over there but it would be a big turnaround if he chose to go home."

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 20, 2022 7:40 am  

NSW wrote:

Moley on Thompson

English clubs circling Bulldogs hard man


Several English clubs are attempting to lure tough Bulldog Luke Thompson back to Super League next season.

Glamour club Wigan are leading the charge, while at least two other clubs are also keen.

Thompson made a quick trip back home for personal reasons recently, which only threw fuel on the rumour fire.

But the Bulldogs are confident that Thompson will stay on board with the steadily improving club.

"Luke has never shown any interest in going back to UK," Bulldogs boss Phil Gould told Wide World of Sports.

"He is even trying to encourage his mother to come to Australia and live with him.

"I've heard of some interest over there but it would be a big turnaround if he chose to go home."

Phil Gould ... truly, the last person you want to receive a guarantee from about anything.

However, I concur with the others. There is no real sign that Thompson wants to come home.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 20, 2022 8:13 am  

Cruncher wrote:

Phil Gould ... truly, the last person you want to receive a guarantee from about anything.

However, I concur with the others. There is no real sign that Thompson wants to come home.

Dan says he was at Robin Park!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 20, 2022 9:45 am  

Sweaty Betty's wrote:

Dan says he was at Robin Park!

nailed on then

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jul 20, 2022 10:05 am  

Putting aside the Dan comments, it's very rare that once a rumour hits this level of speculation, that it isn't based off some snippet of truth.

Not saying that he'll definitely be heading home or anything, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came out in the wash that he's spoken to a few clubs over here. No smoke without fire and all that.

I also wouldn't be surprised if it's his agent testing the waters early and with a view to getting options for 2024. It would be hard for any side to accommodate his salary at such short notice, but putting them on notice for 2024 opens up loads more options and opportunities for teams to clear the decks (Singo, Partington and Isa for us??). Likewise, any potential deals can be used as leverage should he want to stay in the NRL too.