Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Fri Sep 23, 2011 4:52 pm  

jonh wrote:

Think Charnley is fine where he is, not sure he has the hands or the game smarts for a centre. The attributes you mention are very much the core skills of a good wingman, a centre needs a little more refinement in his game, and to be honest without taking anything away from Charnley who I rate highly, not sure if he has that in him.

I have no doubt he could do a job as a centre but feel for the foreseeable future he is a better asset on the wing.

I disagree jon. I remember watching him play for Hull KR in the centre's, and was excellent. I particularly remember him giving Keith Senior a torrid time. Granted the nuances in his game could do with a little work, but it is his first season of first grade football. To be fair to his hands, playing on the wing we don't exactly get to see that part of his game much, but as NickyKiss points out there are examples of where he's shown good hands.

I know when Joel reverted to centre this year his hands and quality of passing was poor. Numerous times he threw the most terrible balls for Josh to catch.

If I'm honest I get the feeling that this discussion is going to be pretty redundant I'm afraid, as I'd be very surprised if Josh is moved from the wing position next year. But in saying that, with Carmonts departure at the end of 2012 we've got real hole to fill there.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Fri Sep 23, 2011 4:52 pm  

cadoo wrote:

So we have to go that far back to name a 'project' signing that has worked. I don't even think I was even around when any of those players were first signed - perhaps Terry O'Connor. However all this does is just further illustrate my point. These 'project' signings people go on about have not worked under Ian Lenagan. That's not say one wont work, however the merits of signing a 27 year old quota player as a 'project' signing is going to come under some scrutiny.

I'm not trying to argue here, but I don't think this dismissed my point in any shape or form.

Off the top of my head, without trying very hard, I was immediately able to name four 'projects' who became great servants to Wigan. The similarities are actually huge. IIRC, two of those four came from Rochdale Hornets. People were stunned when we signed them.

Does the fact that it happened in the 1990s make it irrelevant?

Surely the lesson there was that players who'd been ordinary at their previous clubs blossomed into something special when they entered a highly professional environment - and that's one thing we definitely have in common with that era.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Fri Sep 23, 2011 5:26 pm  

LovesToSpooge wrote:

If I'm honest I get the feeling that this discussion is going to be pretty redundant I'm afraid, as I'd be very surprised if Josh is moved from the wing position next year. But in saying that, with Carmonts departure at the end of 2012 we've got real hole to fill there.

Yeah I agree with that.

He's my choice but I don't think he'll be Wane's unfortunately. I think Joel will stay there personally which will be a complete waste of what could be a top line back rower to let him plug a gap as an average centre.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:45 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

I'm not trying to argue here, but I don't think this dismissed my point in any shape or form.

Off the top of my head, without trying very hard, I was immediately able to name four 'projects' who became great servants to Wigan. The similarities are actually huge. IIRC, two of those four came from Rochdale Hornets. People were stunned when we signed them.

Does the fact that it happened in the 1990s make it irrelevant?

Surely the lesson there was that players who'd been ordinary at their previous clubs blossomed into something special when they entered a highly professional environment - and that's one thing we definitely have in common with that era.

You can't dismiss the examples you've come up with, but it just says a lot for me when you have to go that far back to name a successful 'project' signing - I wasn't around at the time for most of them to be able to recall whether they were or not. I can only go off the players I've seen branded as 'project' players in this era and they've been a resounding failure.

Perhaps Lauaki will turn into the next Terry O'Connor.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Fri Sep 23, 2011 9:49 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Agree fully.

Joel must go back to second row next year. He has done a decent job filling in but with Hoffman going he's needed back in that pack.

As for who plays centre it'd be a new signing or Charnley for me. If the quality of centre required isn't available Charnley should get first crack with Goulding, Roberts and Ryan King fighting for his wing spot as things stand.

I'd be very keen for this to happen. Darrell Goulding can do a job for us when needed, but it's Ryan King who I'm very excited about. He's a very talented lad, but still very raw. He will most likely go on dual registration for the year next year. I hope so anyway.

Amos Roberts is the 'wild card' next year for Shaun Wane. We've seen Roberts at his devastating best. We've seen what he can produce. However some players just never recover mentally as well as physically from serious injuries like the one Roberts suffered.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat Sep 24, 2011 1:38 am  

Anyone know whats goin on with Karl Pryce next season? http://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... _1_3802287 could just be playing for Jamacia in the 9s tournament?

Anyone know whats goin on with Karl Pryce next season? http://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... _1_3802287 could just be playing for Jamacia in the 9s tournament?

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:51 am  

Cupid Stunt wrote: Anyone know whats goin on with Karl Pryce next season? http://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... _1_3802287 could just be playing for Jamacia in the 9s tournament? Presume he's looking for a new club. I'd have loved him to have a storming season at Quins that made us all sit up and think the penny had dropped for the lad but he's looked us un-interested as ever and his time must now be up at Wigan. It's a real shame when you think how much we could do with a right centre or winger. He's 6ft 5, athletic, fast and has good hands. He looks like he should be one of the worlds best but he's simply got no interest in playing the game.

Cupid Stunt wrote: Anyone know whats goin on with Karl Pryce next season? http://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... _1_3802287 could just be playing for Jamacia in the 9s tournament? Presume he's looking for a new club. I'd have loved him to have a storming season at Quins that made us all sit up and think the penny had dropped for the lad but he's looked us un-interested as ever and his time must now be up at Wigan. It's a real shame when you think how much we could do with a right centre or winger. He's 6ft 5, athletic, fast and has good hands. He looks like he should be one of the worlds best but he's simply got no interest in playing the game.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:49 am  

I notice that the Tomkins brothers (well at least the good ones) have signed-up with a new management company. Interesting company they will be keeping: http://www.jamesgrant.com/en/management ... lities=all

I notice that the Tomkins brothers (well at least the good ones) have signed-up with a new management company. Interesting company they will be keeping: http://www.jamesgrant.com/en/management ... lities=all

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat Sep 24, 2011 12:03 pm  

Paul Youane wrote: I notice that the Tomkins brothers (well at least the good ones) have signed-up with a new management company. Interesting company they will be keeping: http://www.jamesgrant.com/en/management ... lities=all One thing's for sure. Sam wouldn't get booed if he turned out in that England shirt.

Paul Youane wrote: I notice that the Tomkins brothers (well at least the good ones) have signed-up with a new management company. Interesting company they will be keeping: http://www.jamesgrant.com/en/management ... lities=all One thing's for sure. Sam wouldn't get booed if he turned out in that England shirt.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Sat Sep 24, 2011 12:20 pm  

Paul Youane wrote: I notice that the Tomkins brothers (well at least the good ones) have signed-up with a new management company. Interesting company they will be keeping: http://www.jamesgrant.com/en/management ... lities=all Union boys AOTS Would like to think that this management company are just trying get some big names onboard from this code but it would be interesting to know if there 3 league converts were with them before their moves. Edit Chris Ashton signed up along with them recently.

Paul Youane wrote: I notice that the Tomkins brothers (well at least the good ones) have signed-up with a new management company. Interesting company they will be keeping: http://www.jamesgrant.com/en/management ... lities=all Union boys AOTS Would like to think that this management company are just trying get some big names onboard from this code but it would be interesting to know if there 3 league converts were with them before their moves. Edit Chris Ashton signed up along with them recently.