Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:24 am  

Stu M wrote:

The thing with Bateman is the fact that his girlfriend is Australian. I've often wondered long-term what would happen as clearly she wants to go back to Australia to live. I note that she is there now commenting on how nice it is to see some sun (I presume she knows that we are in Autumn coming up to Winter and that Australia has had record rainfalls in their Autumn/Winter)

The fact that they have a child further compounds the problems. Could Bateman do a James Graham and move over there permanently, but then there is the issue of his daughter. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens long-term

To be honest, I just don't know if we need that hassle.

You can maybe tolerate a player whose head is on the other side of the world if he's the best in the business, but a distracted John Bateman is clearly not the John Bateman of two years ago. With luck, we'll get someone in who's solidly focussed on wanting to play for Wigan.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 09, 2022 8:58 am  

Cruncher wrote:

To be honest, I just don't know if we need that hassle.

You can maybe tolerate a player whose head is on the other side of the world if he's the best in the business, but a distracted John Bateman is clearly not the John Bateman of two years ago. With luck, we'll get someone in who's solidly focussed on wanting to play for Wigan.

Agree with you. I wanted Bateman to do well over there- like I do with all the English players regardless of who they played for. Its a reason why I would like Welsby to try his hand over there at the end of his Saints deal even though we would lose a quality player.

Certainly the Bateman that has come back hasn't been the same player, Farrell has massively outshone him. If he does go you'll receive a decent fee and have marquee money to play with.
'

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 09, 2022 11:58 am  

Stu M wrote:

Agree with you. I wanted Bateman to do well over there- like I do with all the English players regardless of who they played for. Its a reason why I would like Welsby to try his hand over there at the end of his Saints deal even though we would lose a quality player.

Certainly the Bateman that has come back hasn't been the same player, Farrell has massively outshone him. If he does go you'll receive a decent fee and have marquee money to play with.
'

Batemans daughter must be 15 or 16 years of age now, so if she's going to move on to higher education it may be a good time for her to go to Aus with her dad and stepbrother. I'm sure the family will have discussed the whole situation at length and do what is best for them.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:13 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I'm sure the family will have discussed the whole situation at length and do what is best for them.

As it should be

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:20 pm  

When you also take into account that he's contributed to two GF wins, a CC win, a WCC win and will have generated Wigan around £400,000 to £450,000 in transfer fees - then the club will have got a lot out of John Bateman. No issue from me if he goes although I wonder if it may have helped us retain Matty Nicholson if it had happened a little earlier.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:21 pm  

jonh wrote:

Latest scoop from Dan the man, if Bateman goes we will be looking to replace him but maybe not with a like for like replacement.

In other news he has also revealed that the sun is hot and water is wet.

He said the following & I am not sure what the issue is with what he said? He is just giving his opinion and given our quota is full, I tend to agree.

Its as good as done, just nothing signed as of yet.

Wigan are planning on signing a replacement I'm just not certain if it will be like for like.

Personally if its like for like Id be all over McMeeken if its a British player we have to sign.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:23 pm  

Stu M wrote:

The thing with Bateman is the fact that his girlfriend is Australian. I've often wondered long-term what would happen as clearly she wants to go back to Australia to live. I note that she is there now commenting on how nice it is to see some sun (I presume she knows that we are in Autumn coming up to Winter and that Australia has had record rainfalls in their Autumn/Winter)

The fact that they have a child further compounds the problems. Could Bateman do a James Graham and move over there permanently, but then there is the issue of his daughter. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens long-term

How do you know?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:26 pm  

Use the transfer money to come to an agreement with Isa, get Frizzell over for 2 seasons and let Matty Nicholson know that the number 11 shirt is his and a nice wage for 2024/5. Jobs a good un

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 09, 2022 1:28 pm  

nathan_rugby wrote:

How do you know?

I know (as much as i could know) I was told this by an ex Wigan player before this rumour became live.It's on this thread somewhere.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Nov 09, 2022 2:08 pm  

jonh wrote:

Latest scoop from Dan the man, if Bateman goes we will be looking to replace him but maybe not with a like for like replacement.

In other news he has also revealed that the sun is hot and water is wet.

I saw that, don’t get me started on him, I don’t know why it winds me up so much but it does. I can’t believe the amount of people who lap his “info” up too and the moment anyone calls him out and picks holes in his stories the forum makes out it’s you who are the odd one.