Amos Roberts

[cook123]

Part of the reason Calderwood was not re-signed was because he was on a big contract but by the sounds of things Roberts is on a big contract as well.

How do you know what sort of money Roberts is being paid???

Also the bit about calderwood being an England international - would he really be going to the world cup with England if it wasn't for injuries...[/quote]

[Cruncher]

I don't know where you've got the first bit from. We don't even know if he's signed yet, so it's pure guesswork about what kind of contract he's on, (and, I'd argue, guesswork prejudiced to suit your argument - because a big contract now would fly in the face of everything IL has done at Wigan so far).

All estimations on contracts are guess work, Lenagan might have signed a few players at the end of last season for not a lot but they are probably not playing for peanuts this season, Phelps, Smith and Carmont all have improved contracts for next season, for how much we don't know so it is hard say what IL has done at Wigan so far.

I don't think Roberts is going to move to Wigan on much less than what he was on in the NRL and from what I've read that was a fair bit. Would be interesting to compare Roberts contract with Calderwoods at Hull FC.

As you say, all estimations on contracts are guesswork, including the estimation you then go on to make, namely that Phelps, Smith, Carmont, Roberts etc are "probably not on peanuts". Sorry, but I don't see that as any real basis on which to be underwhelmed by this signing.

For whatever reason Calderwood wasn't cutting it at Wigan. Whether it was his fault or Noble's fault is irrelevant. His relationship with the club had malfunctioned to the point of no return. Therefore he had to be replaced. Ainscough was an option, but from what I've seen of him is not yet ready for a full season of SL.

Thus we had to get a replacement. I don't see why this is troubling people.

[pedro]

HE might have been going if he had been played. The bit about Noble and him not getting on and therefore not playing him is childish and negledant as Noble should be doing whats best for Wigan not him.

[pedro]

He does offer more options but me personally want a specialist winger not another versatile one like Phelps.

[cpwigan]

In the NRL they are becoming increasingly rare Pedro. I think what happens is that if you are not huge and prefer attack to defence you tend to get shunted to the wing in Aus. Many of the centres resemble King these days.

[DaveO]

From the outside backs. Pat, George and Roberts will IMO be picked week in week out. If fit Pryce will get that treatment as well. So it only leaves 1 place each week for Ainscough, Goulding, Mathers, Phelps to fight over.

Exactly! Except I don't think there will be a fight for full back. Mathers will get it and Ainscough, Goulding and Phelps will be battling for a bench spot and on the evidence of last season Phelps will get it IMO.

Dave

[cpwigan]

I concur re if it went to those 4, Phelps as a utility would get the bench spot. However, Pryce will have to play out of position on the right side for Pat to stay on the left wing and I think big is the way for Noble. Neither Mathers, nor Phelps fit the bills.

Richards
Roberts, Goulding, Carmont, Pryce

Gives Noble his biggest set of outside backs.

OT - I always smile that Gemma likes Noble when he clearly discriminates against short/light people.

Ainscough could become a hit with Noble because he is a superb scooter and the SET where only backs run the ball back is still one Noble likes. I believe it is too soon for him. We will no doubt see him pre season al a 2008.

[gpartin]

I concur re if it went to those 4, Phelps as a utility would get the bench spot. However, Pryce will have to play out of position on the right side for Pat to stay on the left wing and I think big is the way for Noble. Neither Mathers, nor Phelps fit the bills.

Richards
Roberts, Goulding, Carmont, Pryce

Gives Noble his biggest set of outside backs.

OT - I always smile that Gemma likes Noble when he clearly discriminates against short/light people.

Ainscough could become a hit with Noble because he is a superb scooter and the SET where only backs run the ball back is still one Noble likes. I believe it is too soon for him. We will no doubt see him pre season al a 2008.

I tried to think of the lineups you could have and there are loads with Richards, Roberts, Pryce and Phelps all able to play in more than one position. If we put the opinions and arguments about young players and Wigan born players to the side for a moment it looks like we have potentially the most versatile set of backs we have had in years.



Can someone Photoshop a Wigan shirt on him please?

[markill]

I don't think we can complain before the guy plays. We have discussed the positives and the only negative seems to be he is not a young wiganer. I'm pleased with the signing from what i've seen, only thing is, please don't put goulding inside him, he won't get any chances to score then, and we'd all be on here saying he doesn't score enough and he was a waste of time and money because his centre can't pass right.

Happy with the signing.

[pedro]

thought Roberts was only coming in 2010...if so we will be rid of SMith, hopefully Mathers, Bailey, Fielden...dont know what length Phelps got or Carmont