Re: Hansen

[doc]

Since IL took over Wigan have gone from having a turnover of £3.5 million to £6.2 million, from making a loss of £1.7 million to making a profit for the last three consecutive years.From not winning a trophy for eight years to winning six in the last four years. From having a pay structure whereby three players took up over a third of the salary cap to a much better balanced wage structure. I don't want to see Hansen go, he's one of the most underrated players in SuperLeague but to say him going defines Lenagans ownership of the club is way off the mark. I think what I've just posted defines ILs ownership of the club far more correctly.

The main grumble I have of the present ownership is they let players go far too easily, especially when still under contract, & that some are treated a lot lot better than others.

There should be a salary scale for all the players taking into account length of service etc

I now there will be some marquee players, but the rest of the team should know what the salary scale is so they can strive to achieve it.

There should also be a cap limit to salaries.

I think the above makes sense, heads in a bit of a tiswas at the minute, so much going on at home

Hope you are both ok healthwise.

[DaveO]

Interestingly IL is acting exactly as ML / Whelan did as players reached their latter years. Loyalty is not rewarded at Wigan RLFC / sport and people arte treated like pieces of meat!

H is 28 and reaching his peak. These aren't his latter years IMO. After another three year deal when he was 31, that is when I would classify it as him reaching his latter years in the sport.

Or look at this way, if H is in his latter years Lockers is past it!

So if there is anything in H gong to Salford for next season then IL is dong what he did with Sam and simply allowing a top player to leave because he has been offered some cash.

I don't think concerns about his age enter into it though I think it may be used as an excuse by the club and anyone acting as apologist for such a decision.

[DaveO]

Interestingly IL is acting exactly as ML / Whelan did as players reached their latter years. :conf:

It was always the way during the glory years e.g. Hanley still had plenty left in the tank when we sold him to Leeds. From a business point of view it's better to take the money while H still has a high value rather than give him another 3 yr contract then try to sell him when he is on the wane.

Hanley was 30 when he joined Leeds, not 28.

The only way Wigan will make money out of H leaving is if they sell him now as at the end of the season he could leave for free.

If it is better from a business point of view to take the money while a player still has high value we should enquire how much Mr Koukash would pay for Charnley or Lockers.

If not why not? H is as important to the team as the team as they are IMO and while we have players who we could give the no 11 shirt to if he went, we could do the same with Chernley and Lockers.

[cpwigan]

Not convinced that is true Dave. At 31 I think a battle hardened second rower who has given his all for a decade + will be on the decline.

The Key ? is as Doc states do we have a capable replacement. It makes sense to sell players whilst they still have value provided you have the replacement. We let Ellery go because we had Phil Clarke and he was ready!

You can sometimes let too many players go at one time particularly if the replacements are not there.

H wrist is a ? BUT he seemed to adapt and started to hit hard rather than wrestling and placing too much pressure on his wrist.

[DaveO]

Not convinced that is true Dave. At 31 I think a battle hardened second rower who has given his all for a decade + will be on the decline.

But he isn't 31 he is 28. I said when he got to 31 he would be of an age where you might question a further deal but not now.

There is easily another three seasons of top flight stuff in H IMO.

The Key ? is as Doc states do we have a capable replacement. It makes sense to sell players whilst they still have value provided you have the replacement. We let Ellery go because we had Phil Clarke and he was ready!

I think the answer to that question is simple enough. No.

Clarke also came into a side with lots of experience around him. That would not be true of whoever replaced H.

We could give someone else from the squad the 11 shirt tomorrow but they would not be as good and for Wigan to get money for H then they need to sell now or risk him leaving for nowt at the end of next season.

Perhaps the club thinks someone will be ready in 12 months time and so will in fact not sell H and forgo any fee if he does leave then.

At least that would make more sense and show IL doesn't jump as soon as the cheque book is flashed.

You can sometimes let too many players go at one time particularly if the replacements are not there.

H wrist is a ? BUT he seemed to adapt and started to hit hard rather than wrestling and placing too much pressure on his wrist.

I am sure if H does leave his wrist injury will be exaggerated by some as justification. Not saying you are doing this here by the way.

I see no reason not to want to retain H. With the money already got from Sam T, Mossop and Hock I can't believe we need to raise even more cash.

H is reaching his peak and certainly isn't past it, knackered or injury prone.

I don't think anyone is ready to step up as you mentioned Clarke was for Hanley.

So all the reasons to let him go look very weak to me.

[cpwigan]

I personally would not let him go Dave. I am not sure we are strong enough given our player losses to lose H too, particularly when IMO there is no need to in this case.

One aspect with bringing players in from Wales / London etc is that they do not have that born & bred RL DNA that often separates a Wigan youngster from other youngsters who may be more naturally talented but break down on this missing ingredient. An ingredient that keep Aus in the ascendancy internationally.

H tackling Moon is an example of a proper RL player making a world class game changing / influence play that new League players will never have.

I think Greg Burke has RL DNA but do we want to ask him to replace H week in week out? Jack Hughes has RL DNA but is an out and out lefty IMO. Bateman? Great talent but overplayed at the Bulls to his detriment do we want to do likewise? I struggle to see who is ready to replace the quality of H 2013/2014 AND offer the same or more.

[josie andrews]

Hope you are both ok healthwise.

Thank you for your concern doc, much appreciated

We should have been going away Friday past for five days, but Stephen took ill an hour before we were due to be picked up, so that was cancelled, but he's fine now tho'
He gets these episodes every so often since his surgery, the only thing is we have no warning, it just happens instantly!

Then we had a bereavement in the family on Sunday

Then on Monday I had to take my sisters old cat to be put to sleep!!

So the weekend has been what you would call a bit hectic!

You're very kind, thank you x

[Owd Codger]

If Hansen wants to end his career by playing for his hometown club like Morley, then let him go and get some money out of it, especially when the club has had the best out of him and last season he had a poor one compared with previous seasons.

Better to have a happy player who wants to play for us than someone who wants to be somewhere else.

Its not the end of the world as there is sufficient talent within the club to replace him and always will be.

No player is bigger than the club!

[keptinthedarkfans]

If Hansen wants to end his career by playing for his hometown club like Morley, then let him go and get some money out of it, especially when the club has had the best out of him and last season he had a poor one compared with previous seasons.

Better to have a happy player who wants to play for us than someone who wants to be somewhere else.

Its not the end of the world as there is sufficient talent within the club to replace him and always will be.

No player is bigger than the club!

You have got this the wrong way around Hansen loves playing for Wigan and wants to stay at Wigan.It is WIGAN that are pushing him into a move with no contractual talks.Would you stay somewhere you feel you are not welcome.Hopefully pressure will come from other parties and put a end to this farce.Also on the point of having sufficient talent and always will have WHY have we bought 3 players to cover his position.

[Owd Codger]

If Hansen wants to end his career by playing for his hometown club like Morley, then let him go and get some money out of it, especially when the club has had the best out of him and last season he had a poor one compared with previous seasons.

Better to have a happy player who wants to play for us than someone who wants to be somewhere else.

Its not the end of the world as there is sufficient talent within the club to replace him and always will be.

No player is bigger than the club!

You have got this the wrong way around Hansen loves playing for Wigan and wants to stay at Wigan.It is WIGAN that are pushing him into a move with no contractual talks.Would you stay somewhere you feel you are not welcome.Hopefully pressure will come from other parties and put a end to this farce.Also on the point of having sufficient talent and always will have WHY have we bought 3 players to cover his position.

Don't have a go me as I am only saying that if Hansen goes, then so be it.

If as you say, Hansen is happy at Wigan, all well and good and has anyone at the club said they want him to go or said anything about contractual talks.

The answer is no and until such time of any media announcement about his future, it is nothing more than muck stirring by the same small handful.