Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:59 am  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I'm still torn when it comes to French leaving.

On the one hand, he's entertaining and the very definition of "on the edge of your seat" when he gets the ball. He also scores tries that very few people in world rugby could. I'm also worried that, if he leaves, those scores dry up + the ones he fashions out of nothing do too. We can't just replace like for like, so does our whole style and approach to the game need to change?

On the other hand, I'm not a big believer in paying marquee money for a winger (no matter how good they are). Granted French is slightly different, as he swaps in at 1, but he can be nullified out there sometimes.

Interesting that he's picked Newcastle too. He's not getting in regularly at 1 there.

According to the knights fans on Reddit he will be playing 1 as Pogba wants to play 6

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 06, 2022 10:03 am  

TheWarringtonWolve69 wrote:

Ffs that’s Saints and Wigan both in the market for a winger next season. I was hoping we would be the only top club looking for one!

Do you have any ready replacements in your academy who can step up?

We have Miski who we are using a quota spot for, I see more of a need to put French’s money to use for a new centre/s (Wardle and Leutele potentially?) and then maybe look for an up and coming championship winger/full back? Tee Ritson?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 06, 2022 10:10 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

It’s a shame but we’ll be fine. If the last few seasons have taught us anything, it’s that the coach is the most important man. It frees up a quota spot, so we can now use that to either try and replace French or on another position (probably centre).

I can’t knock the lad for going back. He’s had a rough time of it. He’s fulfilled his deal and been a joy to watch. There’s not much more you can ask for.

Agreed shame if he’s going but he came back saw his contract out and gave us happy memories.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:11 am  

TheWarringtonWolve69 wrote:

Ffs that’s Saints and Wigan both in the market for a winger next season. I was hoping we would be the only top club looking for one!

Do you have any ready replacements in your academy who can step up?

As others have said I don’t think we will be going for a winger. We have secured Wardle and could probably cope without bringing in another centre next year so I think we may make a hard play for Thompson and run with Thornley/KPP/Halsall as centre options alongside Miski/Thornley/Halsall as wing options.

If we are unsuccessful with Thompson I’d suggest then we would go for a specialist Centre not a winger.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:16 am  

Was going on too long for anything but this to happen. He's always wanted to go back so good luck to him - I'm sure he'll do great. Probably best to use the quota spot on a centre when the right opportunity arises.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:18 am  

jonh wrote:

As others have said I don’t think we will be going for a winger. We have secured Wardle and could probably cope without bringing in another centre next year so I think we may make a hard play for Thompson and run with Thornley/KPP/Halsall as centre options alongside Miski/Thornley/Halsall as wing options.

If we are unsuccessful with Thompson I’d suggest then we would go for a specialist Centre not a winger.

I think Wigan would be wise to see how things go with Thompson's return from his time out from concussion - he's had to spend a while on the sidelines.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:20 am  

Shame if he’s off but happy for him if it’s what he wants,as for Thompson do the club need him with Cooper here now?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:46 am  

Briers going to Australia.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:57 am  

Stranger wrote:

Shame if he’s off but happy for him if it’s what he wants,as for Thompson so the club need him with Cooper here now?

You’ve got to look long term though.

We may not need Thompson next year but if he is available he needs to be signed as he would probably be with whoever he comes back to for the next 6-8 years.

This is the reason I think Wardle is such a great signing too.

He probably solves a problem for the next 8-10 years I don’t think he has much of a desire to go to the NRL.

Wardle signing for us is a bit like when Senior signed with Leeds.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:04 pm  

jonh wrote:

You’ve got to look long term though.

We may not need Thompson next year but if he is available he needs to be signed as he would probably be with whoever he comes back to for the next 6-8 years.

This is the reason I think Wardle is such a great signing too.

He probably solves a problem for the next 8-10 years I don’t think he has much of a desire to go to the NRL.

Wardle signing for us is a bit like when Senior signed with Leeds.

I can’t see many players staying that long but I take your point.