Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Dec 31, 2022 12:44 pm  

jonh wrote:

jonh wrote:

Putting 2 + 2 together and possibly coming up with 5 I’d anticipate that is likely and JWH or another similar name in regard profile will be coming our way.

I personally don't think it can be Miski as we'd be leaving ourselves really short in the outside backs. We've lost Bibby, Hardaker and Halsall and Thornley is less than reliable.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Dec 31, 2022 4:19 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

MadDogg wrote:

I personally don't think it can be Miski as we'd be leaving ourselves really short in the outside backs. We've lost Bibby, Hardaker and Halsall and Thornley is less than reliable.

I think it will be a case of whichever we can move on of those 2 the easiest.

I understand and agree with what you are saying though.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Dec 31, 2022 5:18 pm  

Huge responsibility on Eckersley at the start of 2023 if Miski went. He’d be first reserve for both wing and centre (with Thornley out) which feels too much, too soon to me. I do want to see what the kid can do though but you risk over burdening him.

If we’re to bring an overseas player in, it would need to be at the expense of Mago IMO, a straight replacement for Isa (extremely unlikely) or we’d need an overseas forward and a British back, with Miski making way.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Jan 01, 2023 1:09 am  

Dan saying its a New Year on the other forum, anyone else heard owt?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 05, 2023 8:52 am  

Reading the recent comments by Peet regarding Bateman and his departure he seems to be playing his cards very close to his chest.

He says we obviously now have room to manoeuvre but won’t be rushing in to anything and the lads we currently have will get first crack at replacing him.

It’s the standard lip service but I get the feeling those hoping for an imminent signing are likely to be disappointed, I think it is more likely we will see a mid season move with the foundations for that move currently being put into place.

No inside info just a feeling on my part.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 05, 2023 3:01 pm  

Don't think Thompson has any immediate plans to return to the UK but if he did I'd be loathe to chuck marquee money at him, in the World Cup he didn't look anything like the player he was at Saints, he looked good in the same way Bateman has looked good for us over the last two seasons, solid but not worth the wages he was on

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 05, 2023 3:52 pm  

Still nothing on this 'massive news'

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 05, 2023 4:45 pm  

I get the feeling the club are keen on bringing through Junior Nsmeba early, now he's only 18 (or just turned 19), he's a special talent with natural strength and athleticism. I've seen him play since he took up the sport around 11-12 years old at Judes. Now his face has been central to 2023 season literature, on posters and the website.

Now normally you'd probably expect 2023 in the reserves, 2024 on loan, 2025 into the first team.

Or fast tracked 2023 on loan, 2024 into the first team.

However I have been told that the staff are extremely happy with him, I've also been told that the first team players absolutely love him, which gets me thinking.... are the club looking to 'ultra fast track' him into the first team in 2023?

I must admit I've not seen him much since his move to Wigan, obviously covid limited his progress in the last year of his scholarship and then academy. If I remember correctly his favoured position at Judes was 2nd Row and he blew everyone away back then, he's probably added a foot in size and put 3-4 stone on. Not sure he's stopped growing yet (his dad is a monster in size). Hes a nice grounded lad too, good to see him get this far.....I'm very excited.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 05, 2023 5:15 pm  

I believe that the coaching staff are also thrilled about Harvie Hill. He has been killing it in training.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 05, 2023 9:58 pm  

Yep, Matty is right. I spoke to Rads in March last year and he was raving about Nsemba.

Good to hear about Hill too.

I remember Havard seemed to come into the first team very fast in 2020 (got picked for the first game against wire at home and never really looked back).

A few of these young lads coming through well would make the squad look a lot deeper.