Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:35 am  

jonh wrote:

Bit of a forgotten man given the big names we have secured since he was announced but I’m looking forward to seeing if Clarke can force his way into a regular in our 17.

Watched the Leigh game yesterday and thought his aggressive running and post contact meters were impressive. He does however look to be a little lazy at times switching off in defence and also looks to be carrying a bit of bad weight.

He has in my opinion some real potential and if he embraces the club culture at Wigan I think he could be a useful signing.

I agree. He needs a good preseason with us. To get him up to our fitness standards and to embrace the culture, positive attitude and will to win. He needs to adapt to a more cut-throat environment, either be the best you possibly can at all times or face a season without first team action.

For Clarke it's all on him. He has the potential to be a great asset, but also has the potential to not do himself justice. Time will tell.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:40 pm  

jonh wrote:

Bit of a forgotten man given the big names we have secured since he was announced but I’m looking forward to seeing if Clarke can force his way into a regular in our 17.

Watched the Leigh game yesterday and thought his aggressive running and post contact meters were impressive. He does however look to be a little lazy at times switching off in defence and also looks to be carrying a bit of bad weight.

He has in my opinion some real potential and if he embraces the club culture at Wigan I think he could be a useful signing.

He’s going to have a task on to get a place in the 17 but that should be a good thing. He’s going to need a big pre season and if he can have that then there’s every chance he could force his way in. You’d imagine George Burgess, Flower and Clubb are nailed on for three prop spots and Partington is probably forcing his way in to a similar position. That leaves Bullock, Clark, Navarrete, Byrne and maybe Havard and Jack Wells as well trying to fight for one place if we run with 5 props in the 17 or if they played Partington or Flower at loose forward. It’s incredible depth we have (I wouldn’t be surprised to see an exit or two yet though) and it should make everyone’s standards in pre season jump up.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Sep 16, 2019 3:57 pm  

I just have a feeling that Clark could be Tautai mark2. I hope he proves me wrong.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:18 pm  

hatty wrote:

I just have a feeling that Clark could be Tautai mark2. I hope he proves me wrong.

Luckily we have more depth now then at any stage of Tautai’s Wigan career, so if Clark doesn’t cut it he won’t make 130+ appearances as Tautai unbelievably managed.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:40 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Luckily we have more depth now then at any stage of Tautai’s Wigan career, so if Clark doesn’t cut it he won’t make 130+ appearances as Tautai unbelievably managed.

Very true.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:27 pm  

hatty wrote:

I just have a feeling that Clark could be Tautai mark2. I hope he proves me wrong.

I hope not given the length of the contract he has been handed.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 17, 2019 9:57 am  

Looked really unfit and sluggish the other night for Leigh. Made a few shocking reads in defence too...can’t imagine pre season will be fun for him if he’s turning up with a gut like that!

I do rate him from the little bits I’ve seen him play for cas but have to question a players attitude when they look so unfit at championship level.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 17, 2019 10:39 am  

dh13 wrote:

Looked really unfit and sluggish the other night for Leigh. Made a few shocking reads in defence too...can’t imagine pre season will be fun for him if he’s turning up with a gut like that!

I do rate him from the little bits I’ve seen him play for cas but have to question a players attitude when they look so unfit at championship level.

Didn't the same happen with Scott Taylor when he fell out of favour here? I remember him lifting his shirt after scoring a try once.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 17, 2019 2:52 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

He’s going to have a task on to get a place in the 17 but that should be a good thing. He’s going to need a big pre season and if he can have that then there’s every chance he could force his way in. You’d imagine George Burgess, Flower and Clubb are nailed on for three prop spots and Partington is probably forcing his way in to a similar position. That leaves Bullock, Clark, Navarrete, Byrne and maybe Havard and Jack Wells as well trying to fight for one place if we run with 5 props in the 17 or if they played Partington or Flower at loose forward. It’s incredible depth we have (I wouldn’t be surprised to see an exit or two yet though) and it should make everyone’s standards in pre season jump up.

It will be interesting to see who we go with and who gets the #10 and #8 shirts. Looking at that list I wonder is there any room for Wells or Byrne? I haven’t seen much of Wells as I have Byrne but they’re up against some quality. They’re only saving grace is that I’d imagine Clubb/Flower don’t have too long left either at the club or in their career.

Bullock needs a big season for me, he started off very well and impressed a lot of folk but then looked like he slipped away before then getting injured. It could be a make or break season IMO.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 17, 2019 3:03 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

It will be interesting to see who we go with and who gets the #10 and #8 shirts. Looking at that list I wonder is there any room for Wells or Byrne? I haven’t seen much of Wells as I have Byrne but they’re up against some quality. They’re only saving grace is that I’d imagine Clubb/Flower don’t have too long left either at the club or in their career.

Bullock needs a big season for me, he started off very well and impressed a lot of folk but then looked like he slipped away before then getting injured. It could be a make or break season IMO.

Regardless of who gets the 8 and 10 shirt I’d imagine Burgess and Flower will be starting props, Partington Clubb Bullock Bryne Navarette Clark will be fighting for 3 bench spots