Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat Sep 01, 2012 3:01 pm  

FIOS wrote:

Next year we are looking considerably weaker. Only one experienced starting centre, our two main props are both good but injury prone, green and smith are a massive step down from leuluai and finch, mcilorum looking to carry the season on again as the only good hooker - what will we do if he gets injured? Tomkins is not good enough IMO.

Sam Tomkins
Josh Charnley
Darrell Goulding
???????????????
Pat Richards
Blake Green
Matty Smith
Lee Mossop
Micky McIlorum
Paul Prescott
Harrison Hansen
Gareth Hock
Sean O'Loughlin

Liam Farrell
This NRL Prop
Gil Dudson
Ben Flower

I mentioned on this thread a few pages back that someone like Matt Diskin from Bradford would be a good signing to provide cover for McIlorum at hooker. I agree that Tomkins isn't good enough. I know it took McIlorum a while to really reach his potential but he had actually shown that he had potential for the under 20's and struggled with consistency whereas Logan Tomkins just hasn't really stood out at all. Similarly Carberry is no better at hooker and seems more effective as a loose forward.

If we can't sign an experienced hooker then at least signing a hooker with a fair bit of potential like Adam O'Brien (also from Bradford) would be beneficial.

Wane and Lenegan cannot afford to be complacent and assume that the young players coming through and the players currently at the club are going to be good enough to replace the huge amount of quality that we are losing.

I'm confident that Thornley, Gelling or Hughes could replace Carmont with reasonable efficiency. They won't have the class but they do all have plenty of potential and have shown for the under 20's that they are at least excellent prospects relative to the rest of Super League.

A strong pack is essential though. If a team has a very good pack then in some ways they can get away with possibly a little less quality in the backs.

Next year Mossop will be our only top quality prop forward. Prescott cannot even come into the equation. To assume he will be fit enough to play a part is simply naive. His injury record is dreadful and when it comes to planning for next season he shouldn't even be part of the equation. If he's fit then it's a bonus.

Lauaki is a decent squad member. He offers some good aggression and is a talented player but he's not a dominant forward. He doesn't make a strong front row more than he adds to one. Flower is still small, often ineffective and still has some big issues with his defence around the ruck. Dudson has potential but is one of those players that could be really bad if he's off his game. He's not a senior prop and can't really be expected to do the work of one.

Mossop, Lauaki, Flower & Dudson (or Crosby, Spencer, Burke) just isn't good enough so hopefully this Aussie prop who is rumoured to be signing is a good one who makes plenty of metres while being good in the collision too, who could be the equivalent of a Morley or Peacock in their prime or as close as possible.

Of course there's a risk with overseas signings. Perry came over with high expectations but has been disappointing for Saints. The last thing we want is an expensive overseas signing who doesn't make an immediate impact.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:31 pm  

NRL Prop, anyone any ideas? Watching the NRL coverage most if not all the good OOC Props have resigned with clubs. I have no idea where this signing is coming from. Only Moi Moi, I think is a name of note who does not have a club for 2013 confirmed and I do not think he is our style of Prop.

Really cannot see who it is going to be, and no mention from the Aussie press or match commentators who usually get wind if these things by now and are more than happy to discuss them.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:50 pm  

Cherry.Pie wrote:

I mentioned on this thread a few pages back that someone like Matt Diskin from Bradford would be a good signing to provide cover for McIlorum at hooker. I agree that Tomkins isn't good enough. I know it took McIlorum a while to really reach his potential but he had actually shown that he had potential for the under 20's and struggled with consistency whereas Logan Tomkins just hasn't really stood out at all. Similarly Carberry is no better at hooker and seems more effective as a loose forward.

If we can't sign an experienced hooker then at least signing a hooker with a fair bit of potential like Adam O'Brien (also from Bradford) would be beneficial.

Wane and Lenegan cannot afford to be complacent and assume that the young players coming through and the players currently at the club are going to be good enough to replace the huge amount of quality that we are losing.

I'm confident that Thornley, Gelling or Hughes could replace Carmont with reasonable efficiency. They won't have the class but they do all have plenty of potential and have shown for the under 20's that they are at least excellent prospects relative to the rest of Super League.

A strong pack is essential though. If a team has a very good pack then in some ways they can get away with possibly a little less quality in the backs.

Next year Mossop will be our only top quality prop forward. Prescott cannot even come into the equation. To assume he will be fit enough to play a part is simply naive. His injury record is dreadful and when it comes to planning for next season he shouldn't even be part of the equation. If he's fit then it's a bonus.

Lauaki is a decent squad member. He offers some good aggression and is a talented player but he's not a dominant forward. He doesn't make a strong front row more than he adds to one. Flower is still small, often ineffective and still has some big issues with his defence around the ruck. Dudson has potential but is one of those players that could be really bad if he's off his game. He's not a senior prop and can't really be expected to do the work of one.

Mossop, Lauaki, Flower & Dudson (or Crosby, Spencer, Burke) just isn't good enough so hopefully this Aussie prop who is rumoured to be signing is a good one who makes plenty of metres while being good in the collision too, who could be the equivalent of a Morley or Peacock in their prime or as close as possible.

Of course there's a risk with overseas signings. Perry came over with high expectations but has been disappointing for Saints. The last thing we want is an expensive overseas signing who doesn't make an immediate impact.

Cherry may I congratulate you on a great post,you have the ability to put into words obversations that I can only think about.
The crucial point about your post is that Wigan have been bullied to often in the pack when it comes to the big matches,especially against the Wire.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:59 pm  

SFW wrote:

There is a forward from the NRL definitely signing for Wigan if he hasn't already. You may be looking at another soon too because Wane is considering trying to offload one of your current forwards.

Come on then spill the beans?

Which forward is he wanting to off load, Fielden?

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:08 am  

Tricky Dicky wrote:

Come on then spill the beans?

Which forward is he wanting to off load, Fielden?

That should prove easy enough!

He must mean one under contract.

[Pemps]

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:48 am  

NickyKiss wrote: That should prove easy enough! He must mean one under contract. Out of the under contract players no one sticks out as a player who Wane would want rid of. Flower maybe? There was a rumour that Tuson was leaving but his contract is up at the end of this season anyway. http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/in ... age_id=122

NickyKiss wrote: That should prove easy enough! He must mean one under contract. Out of the under contract players no one sticks out as a player who Wane would want rid of. Flower maybe? There was a rumour that Tuson was leaving but his contract is up at the end of this season anyway. http://wigan.rlfans.com/fusion_pages/in ... age_id=122

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 04, 2012 8:41 am  

Prescott?

[Pemps]

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:03 am  

Baked Bean Boogie wrote:

Prescott?

He doesn't really strike me as someone who Wane would want rid of. As soon as he's fit, he plays. That being said, I don't think he's had the best of seasons both injury and form wise.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:27 am  

Pemps wrote:

He doesn't really strike me as someone who Wane would want rid of. As soon as he's fit, he plays. That being said, I don't think he's had the best of seasons both injury and form wise.

you never know Wane might want players who are less injury prone, let's face it has Prescott had a single season without having multiple injuries

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 04, 2012 10:45 am  

I've always had a hunch it is Asotasi. Off contract and apparently leaving Souths, has previously said he'd like to try SL and we've connections through maguire.