Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:09 pm  

On the plus side of us trying and missing out on Ellis is that at least we're on the lookout and hopefully in the meantime (about 4 months iirc) since Ellis signed for Hull FC we've sorted out some other moves.

Scott Taylor would be a very nice addition to Green and Smith but i'd like at least one more experienced head to be brought in to take on the burden left by guys like Carmont, Leuluai and Finch leaving.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:46 pm  

Everyone has different interpretations of who they'd like to sign and who they'd like to keep, who they'd like to play in what position.
Personally I would have liked to retained Matty Russell. A young Wigan lad with lots of potential, I don't think anyone could say if he'd make it or not in SL with the limited game time he's had at the top level.

Personally before spending cap on Blake Green I would have liked to have seen Sam return to the halves to partner Smith. I was all for playing Sam at 1 for a period before moving back to 6, ala Edwards, Lockyer etc.

With this I would have liked to give game time to Murphy and Russell.
With the remaining cap I would like to see a leader in the front row, I would also have liked to have seen Fielden given more of a run out, I was impressed with is performance v saints.

So something like:

Russell/Murphy
Charnley Goulding/Hughes Gelling/Thornley Richards
Tomkins Smith
(New signing/experienced enforcer) McM Dudson
Hock Hansen
Lockers

I also would look at the idea of playing Josh at FB, he's an explosive player who I'd like to see more on the ball. We have the likes of Gellinga and Thornley then to play on the wing.

Lots of depth in the forwards with the likes of Eric, Flower, Spencer, Prescott, Lloyd, Mossop, Faz, Fielden etc.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:44 pm  

Once again our pack has been outmuscled and dominated in a big game. 2 new props are a must for next season.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:14 am  

Just had a text to say rumours are rife over the lump - finch signed 2 year deal.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:45 am  

MattyB wrote:

Just had a text to say rumours are rife over the lump - finch signed 2 year deal.

Are we getting Gaskell then?

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:02 am  

MattyB wrote:

Just had a text to say rumours are rife over the lump - finch signed 2 year deal.

Finch hasnt signed for saints. He is going home. Hence why saints were bidding to take matty smith at the same time as wigan.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:03 am  

Out Carmont, In Thornley
Out Finch In Green
Out Tommy, In Smith
Out Lima, In Scott Taylor ( yet to be confirmed)
Out Fielden, IN ???
Out Amos, IN ???

Based on the above unless better deals have been given to keep lockers, micky mac anbd other members of the squad we must have cap room left to bring in at least 1 more top player.

We have lost a massive amount of experience for next year.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Sep 30, 2012 11:19 am  

Tricky Dicky wrote:

Out Carmont, In Thornley
Out Finch In Green
Out Tommy, In Smith
Out Lima, In Scott Taylor ( yet to be confirmed)
Out Fielden, IN ???
Out Amos, IN ???

Based on the above unless better deals have been given to keep lockers, micky mac anbd other members of the squad we must have cap room left to bring in at least 1 more top player.

We have lost a massive amount of experience for next year.

Don't think we'll be signing any more players. The rest of the cap will go on contract improvements for the out of contract players and a few who might deserve bigger contracts.

I agree that we've lost a massive amount of experience though; in fact we've lost far too much experience. Lots of people criticised Wire's 'dads army' but their experience and also the experienced players in the Leeds side are the reason they are in the Grand Final.

Props in particular need some experience and our props will have very little. Only Lauaki will be near his 30's an he's no leader who can let his experience lift the team. Prescott will have been going a few years but he's been in and out of the side through injuries so isn't that experienced himself despite him being 27 at the start of next season.

To have Mossop (24), Taylor (22) and Dudson (22) as front line props next year is worrying. Experience is massive.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Sep 30, 2012 11:29 am  

Cherry.Pie wrote:

Don't think we'll be signing any more players. The rest of the cap will go on contract improvements for the out of contract players and a few who might deserve bigger contracts.

I agree that we've lost a massive amount of experience though; in fact we've lost far too much experience. Lots of people criticised Wire's 'dads army' but their experience and also the experienced players in the Leeds side are the reason they are in the Grand Final.

Props in particular need some experience and our props will have very little. Only Lauaki will be near his 30's an he's no leader who can let his experience lift the team. Prescott will have been going a few years but he's been in and out of the side through injuries so isn't that experienced himself despite him being 27 at the start of next season.

To have Mossop (24), Taylor (22) and Dudson (22) as front line props next year is worrying. Experience is massive.

That's why i would have liked to have kept fielden for 1 more year.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sun Sep 30, 2012 11:40 am  

Eastbourne Warrior wrote:

That's why i would have liked to have kept fielden for 1 more year.

The issue with keeping Fielden is whether, after having a couple of years out injured and him being into his 30's, he'd actually be good enough to keep some of the other forwards out of the side on merit and also be paid a salary that matched his level of performance.

Presumably the club thought they wouldn't get enough out of him but if there was a chance to keep him at the club on a reduced wage the club should have taken it.