Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Tue Aug 02, 2011 7:53 am  

The rumours around Leuluai seem to have died down again and he's the big one we need to keep.

Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Tue Aug 02, 2011 11:31 am  

Tricky Dicky wrote:

Given the only player we appear to be linked with for next year is the head the ball from hull, im becoming a little concerned with our recruitment for next year.

Hopefully IL will come good but so far we are not being linked or rumoured to be linked with anyone decent and still have no idea who our coaching team will be.

One thing we cannot affgord to do is stand still or we will be left behind.

Wire and saints have already strengthened

We, the fans, don't know but we don't run the club!

Let's just accept our chairman is on the case.

Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:19 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

After that I think Coley will retire, Pryce will be released but Deacon will stay on. I can't understand why we would sign Lauaki but if we do he'll be a back up option with Fielden taking Coleys place in the 17. We'll also place plenty of faith in our u20's lads and why not as they're the best in the country.

As for the coach it'll be Wane with Sculthorpe as no2 and that will be confirmed when our season ends. That is what Lenagan did when he replaced Noble and he'll do it again.

We have no reason to panic.

Deacon has been given the Wigan Service Area U18's coaching job for next year, so I don't know if he'll be able to combine that role with playing in Superleague.

Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:31 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Deacon has been given the Wigan Service Area U18's coaching job for next year, so I don't know if he'll be able to combine that role with playing in Superleague.

Do you mean he's been given Wigan U18's Academy or Wigan & Leigh Service Area U18's?

Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:23 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Wire and Saints are losing some real quality though and I'm not 100% certain that the signings they've made will improve them.

Waterhouse for Anderson is a no brainer, that is a definate (if he brings his current game) upgrade and his offloading style suits us down to the ground.

Ratchford for King, to be honest we would have to recruit either a current Aus or SOO winger to improve on King right now, the guy's on fire and real quality but we have a few players rumoured to be leaving freeing up space for maybe a big Oz signing, Ratchford is a mystery, I've seen some great/sublime touches beyond his years I've also seen him look anonymous, we'll see.

We also have (as fans like Rouges will tell you) some great talent coming through, very few Wire fans are worried about our squad for next season.

Saints on the other hand, Eastmond, Pryce, Graham all big game players and difficult to replace, Roby will be knackered pulling that team through the season unless the guys they recruit really step up and adapt quickly.

Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:26 pm  

Is Pryce definately leaving Saints? Wouldnt mind him to replace Deacs

Although he does seem to be abit of a crock at the moment so maybe not.

Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:29 pm  

Strong rumours of Catalans, we'll see.

Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Tue Aug 02, 2011 10:08 pm  

Horatio Yed wrote:

Waterhouse for Anderson is a no brainer, that is a definate (if he brings his current game) upgrade and his offloading style suits us down to the ground.

Ratchford for King, to be honest we would have to recruit either a current Aus or SOO winger to improve on King right now, the guy's on fire and real quality but we have a few players rumoured to be leaving freeing up space for maybe a big Oz signing, Ratchford is a mystery, I've seen some great/sublime touches beyond his years I've also seen him look anonymous, we'll see.

We also have (as fans like Rouges will tell you) some great talent coming through, very few Wire fans are worried about our squad for next season.

Saints on the other hand, Eastmond, Pryce, Graham all big game players and difficult to replace, Roby will be knackered pulling that team through the season unless the guys they recruit really step up and adapt quickly.

If Waterhouse settles in early then i'd say your recruitment leaves you as strong as this year with potential to grow through guys like Ratchford and Hill.

As for Saints if they don't sign anybody else they won't be quite as strong as this year. Thats not a massive insult to them though as I think they'll have a pretty good go at the double this year if they can keep all their players fit. I think they're being underestimated by alot of people who say the Grand Final is a nailed on Wigan vs Wire final.

Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Tue Aug 02, 2011 10:26 pm  

Horatio Yed wrote:

Waterhouse for Anderson is a no brainer, that is a definate (if he brings his current game) upgrade and his offloading style suits us down to the ground.

Ratchford for King, to be honest we would have to recruit either a current Aus or SOO winger to improve on King right now, the guy's on fire and real quality but we have a few players rumoured to be leaving freeing up space for maybe a big Oz signing, Ratchford is a mystery, I've seen some great/sublime touches beyond his years I've also seen him look anonymous, we'll see.

We also have (as fans like Rouges will tell you) some great talent coming through, very few Wire fans are worried about our squad for next season.

Saints on the other hand, Eastmond, Pryce, Graham all big game players and difficult to replace, Roby will be knackered pulling that team through the season unless the guys they recruit really step up and adapt quickly.

All true but at the same time your key players are that extra year over 30 again, I know it was said last year (and tbf, Morley and Briers are currently both sidelined with fairly long term injuries). Chris Hill is the best signing you've made in my mind, could realistically be a first team prop for the next 10 years.

Saints are losing some quality players, but they still managed to be there or thereabouts this year without Eastmond + Pryce, let alone very little from Perry and all the other crocks. I think they have 1 big signing left to announce, but we'll see.

We definately need to have some activity on the signings front, I have faith in IL but the lack of announcement on a coach is clouding my judgement a little.

Re: Rumours and signings v7 : Tue Aug 02, 2011 10:39 pm  

Who are your confirmed departures and rumoured for next season?