Gareth Thomas

[Kittwazzer]

REMEMBER;

The RFL pay his contract so we get an extra player for nothing. Will he play for our first team? I doubt it bar friendlies etc, may sell Wigan to Welsh fans, young Welsh rugby players.

CP. Where is it writ that the RFL will pay his contract?

[No straw damn us]

Makes you wonder what the new coach must think of this - whoever he might be :eh: I don't like to disrespect anyone but can you just imagine if GT were to play and make a less than favourable impression RLfans would implode from the rush of trolls and our poor coach would doubtless come in for some serious stick for having selected the player and there would be multiple calls for "Coach" Out!

Whenever I have seen Thomas he has played well (at both RU and RL) so I suggest fans keep their powder dry until he has least played a few games. As CPW says he's costing us nothing and it's brilliant publicity. Get him pictured signing with Billy B by his side. Use every available publicity method, it could be a masterstroke

[Kittwazzer]

Whenever I have seen Thomas he has played well (at both RU and RL) so I suggest fans keep their powder dry until he has least played a few games. As CPW says he's costing us nothing and it's brilliant publicity. Get him pictured signing with Billy B by his side. Use every available publicity method, it could be a masterstroke

Again. Where is this bit coming from?

[cpwigan]

REMEMBER;

The RFL pay his contract so we get an extra player for nothing. Will he play for our first team? I doubt it bar friendlies etc, may sell Wigan to Welsh fans, young Welsh rugby players.

CP. Where is it writ that the RFL will pay his contract?

It isn't KW but it is and the RFL want him at a big club.

[No straw damn us]

Whenever I have seen Thomas he has played well (at both RU and RL) so I suggest fans keep their powder dry until he has least played a few games. As CPW says he's costing us nothing and it's brilliant publicity. Get him pictured signing with Billy B by his side. Use every available publicity method, it could be a masterstroke

Again. Where is this bit coming from?

From the reliable source who told me about it some three weeks ago.

[Kittwazzer]

Cheers guys. Just that Stains fans are going mad on RedVee and I need to fuel the flames!

[cpwigan]

LoL IMO it shows the value/farce of the salary cap

[DaveO]

Makes you wonder what the new coach must think of this - whoever he might be

The new coach together with input from Madge has been responsible for identifying the players he wants for next season.

Madge says he knows nothing about it.

You surely do not believe any coach at Wigan wants Thomas here due his his playing ability or that he was ever remotely on any of their radars as someone they wanted to sign?

Why not re-sign Jason Robinson who is also 37 while we are at it?

[KOOCH]

Personally I do not think IL as done a bad job on the recruitment front.Remember the position we where in just a few years ago.The combined front that is I Lenegan,M Maguire,S Wayne have put us in the position that we are at and as previously stated by an early post Madge would more than likely have had some input as regards Thomas.I know that he is moving on to pastures new but I feel confident that he would not like to see all the good that as been done undone by a silly signing.Thomas as been a quality player over the years regardless of the fact that his success as been achieved with the union brigade.I am not for one minute suggesting that he will be a huge success with us but let's give the guy a chance before slaughtering him.Remember how people on here said Finch & Lima should never be wearing our colours.And how the tommy knockers are now silent.Give him a chance.

[DaveO]

Personally I do not think IL as done a bad job on the recruitment front.Remember the position we where in just a few years ago.The combined front that is I Lenegan,M Maguire,S Wayne have put us in the position that we are at and as previously stated by an early post Madge would more than likely have had some input as regards Thomas.

Both Wigan chairman Ian Lenaghan and Thomas' manager Emanuele Paladino issued "no comment" responses when asked, while Warriors coach Michael Maguire expressed ignorance on the subject at Thursday's press conference.

Maguire, who is returning to Australia at the end of the season, said: "I've no idea about that."

from here:

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ml&BID=480

I believe what Madge says as I find it implausible he would ever advise Wigan to sign Thomas.

No one can argue with previous recruitment by IL on the whole but if Warrington had signed Thomas you would be on here taking the micky.

I know that he is moving on to pastures new but I feel confident that he would not like to see all the good that as been done undone by a silly signing.

Which is why he hasn't had anything to do with it.

Thomas as been a quality player over the years regardless of the fact that his success as been achieved with the union brigade.I am not for one minute suggesting that he will be a huge success with us but let's give the guy a chance before slaughtering him.Remember how people on here said Finch & Lima should never be wearing our colours.And how the tommy knockers are now silent.Give him a chance.

There is no similarity between peoples opinions Finch, Lima and Tommy with Thomas. You would have as many if not more people defending them as slagging them off because people knew their best days were not gone. Thomas hasn't had any "best days" in RL. He's simply not a very good player.

The only defence I can see for Thomas is it is some great PR exercise though I am blowed if I can what positive PR signing as player who is clearly past it brings.