Signings?

[Wes]

I’m happy with this signing! I think he’ll make a great 13 play lockers at prop.

As for signing a big prop who can lead the pack, we did, FPN and look how that’s turned out. Oh wait .......

[moto748]

That will be our only signing this season.

Are you sure? How do you know?

[old hooker]

Good luck to the lad I hope he does well, but I repeat he is another cheap option which seems to be ILs policy.Of course there is no guarantee that oversees players will be a success but at least other clubs have ambition.We have lost that recently andfans are now being asked to be appeased by another with promise.We need a new coach and some new quality players not kids, we have those in abundance.

[acwrlfc]

These Project players aren't currently the answer to our problems. Where does that leave Field , Partington etc when we bring over an unproven youngster, yet to play a first game grade.

What did this "injury crisis" prove?

The youngsters came in and try their hearts out however they need some serious experience around them.

Our pack was constantly battered last year and this thus far his our response.

For me its a nothing signing and considering we win the academy final most years a needless waste

[Wes]

All this doom and gloom is shocking!

I wanted Wane out, it hasn’t happened so I got over it! I am not going to declare my hatred towards the management and throw them under a bus because I haven’t got what I wanted, a new coach!

We are what we are for next season, we still have plenty of time to sign a quality assistant, I hope this really happens.

As for this 20 year old, from the clips he looks good he looks like he enjoys to play the game which in all honesty not many of our squad gave that impression this season.

He runs at gaps has decent speed and footwork for a forward and an ability to get involved.

Out of all our forwards only Farrell comes close to said attributes and he had a stinker this season.

If we try this kid at 13 I’m happy, I think if he can make the step up he will be a revelation!

How many 13s in the league are extra props nowadays with no additional skill sets? I’d argue all of them bar Lockers, Wilkin and Milner.

I hate the thought of a 3rd prop playing loose, we (especially we) are crying out for exciting rugby yet when we sign an exciting talent its deemed below par!

We have been crying out for a replacement for Lockers, here it is folks!

Out of interest how many of our forwards do you guys consider a running threat?

It was heavily rumoured last year we where spent to the cap which if this was/is the case I’m guessing we have to get rid of a player/s to fit this signing in for next season. Also with that in mind to sign a superstar centre and a superstar scrum half don’t we have to be in a position where players want to leave, get bought or their contracts run out? Pretty sure the bulk of our squad are under contract.

Does anyone know who is out of contract for us now?

[Wandering Warrior]

That will be our only signing this season.

Are you sure? How do you know?

Gut feeling.
Somebody mentioned him playing at loose forward. He looks every bit a loose forward but do you think SW, with his hobby for playing folk out of position, will play him there?
I'd love to be proved wrong.
If he comes up trumps he'll soon be back to Aus, or am I being negative?
If he fails it's another 2 year contract?
That pretty much sums up how I see this little project.

[Wandering Warrior]

All this doom and gloom is shocking!

I wanted Wane out, it hasn’t happened so I got over it! I am not going to declare my hatred towards the management and throw them under a bus because I haven’t got what I wanted, a new coach!

We are what we are for next season, we still have plenty of time to sign a quality assistant, I hope this really happens.

As for this 20 year old, from the clips he looks good he looks like he enjoys to play the game which in all honesty not many of our squad gave that impression this season.

He runs at gaps has decent speed and footwork for a forward and an ability to get involved.

Out of all our forwards only Farrell comes close to said attributes and he had a stinker this season.

If we try this kid at 13 I’m happy, I think if he can make the step up he will be a revelation!

How many 13s in the league are extra props nowadays with no additional skill sets? I’d argue all of them bar Lockers, Wilkin and Milner.

I hate the thought of a 3rd prop playing loose, we (especially we) are crying out for exciting rugby yet when we sign an exciting talent its deemed below par!

We have been crying out for a replacement for Lockers, here it is folks!

Out of interest how many of our forwards do you guys consider a running threat?

It was heavily rumoured last year we where spent to the cap which if this was/is the case I’m guessing we have to get rid of a player/s to fit this signing in for next season. Also with that in mind to sign a superstar centre and a superstar scrum half don’t we have to be in a position where players want to leave, get bought or their contracts run out? Pretty sure the bulk of our squad are under contract.

Does anyone know who is out of contract for us now?

Good stuff re. the lad Wes, but if he makes the grade will he hang around? Hope he does well, but if that's the case, he'll be well gone before he reaches his peak, and there's the rub I'm afraid.

[Wes]

All this doom and gloom is shocking!

I wanted Wane out, it hasn’t happened so I got over it! I am not going to declare my hatred towards the management and throw them under a bus because I haven’t got what I wanted, a new coach!

We are what we are for next season, we still have plenty of time to sign a quality assistant, I hope this really happens.

As for this 20 year old, from the clips he looks good he looks like he enjoys to play the game which in all honesty not many of our squad gave that impression this season.

He runs at gaps has decent speed and footwork for a forward and an ability to get involved.

Out of all our forwards only Farrell comes close to said attributes and he had a stinker this season.

If we try this kid at 13 I’m happy, I think if he can make the step up he will be a revelation!

How many 13s in the league are extra props nowadays with no additional skill sets? I’d argue all of them bar Lockers, Wilkin and Milner.

I hate the thought of a 3rd prop playing loose, we (especially we) are crying out for exciting rugby yet when we sign an exciting talent its deemed below par!

We have been crying out for a replacement for Lockers, here it is folks!

Out of interest how many of our forwards do you guys consider a running threat?

It was heavily rumoured last year we where spent to the cap which if this was/is the case I’m guessing we have to get rid of a player/s to fit this signing in for next season. Also with that in mind to sign a superstar centre and a superstar scrum half don’t we have to be in a position where players want to leave, get bought or their contracts run out? Pretty sure the bulk of our squad are under contract.

Does anyone know who is out of contract for us now?

Good stuff re. the lad Wes, but if he makes the grade will he hang around? Hope he does well, but if that's the case, he'll be well gone before he reaches his peak, and there's the rub I'm afraid.

Agree 100%

Ryan Hoffman only stayed 12 months BUT within that time he won a trophy, I’ll take that. I’m not getting carried away saying history will repeat but one never knows.

If Bolton could sign messi on loan for one season only would you turn him down based on him not being there in 2 years time.

Not all players are keepers but if you can snatch a winner for however short a time I’d rather enjoy the ride whilst it lasts.

Different class but saints will be the same with Barba they know he could go back anytime but they also know he’s a winner and worth the ride.

I just think we need to be a bit more positive and get behind this lad because he looks a bit special to me, you don’t see many natural running forwards these days there all pumped up athletes rather than natural rugby players.

[fozzieskem]

I think everyone will get behind the lad,if he ever plays of course I genuinely hope he does well,but I know nothing about him,I refuse to get carried away over a greatest hits video on YouTube either,those are made to sell a player.

I simply can’t fathom this one at all,our academy churns kids out with such regularity it’s almost got to the point that it’s boring,so what must they be thinking seeing an untried lad come in,it just smacks a bit of desperation,we needed experience after the horror show of last season.

Again I hope he blows us away I really do,but the phrase used by IL when Mossop and Crosby left comes to mind “cost effective” and that to me is a worry.

[Exiled Wiganer]

On this signing, he has some genuine English roots, so may settle. If Pat and Madge rate him, I am looking forward to seeing him.
In other news, FPN is leaving, so that will free up a lot of salary cap space. Am guessing there won't be too many heart broken about that. Indeed, if the rest of my family are typical, that might be the best news we have had for a while.
If we can get an enforcer prop (or even Sam Mia?) in his place, and a good centre to replace Tierney, then Hamlin becomes a really useful additional option.
To free up even more space, my ideal scenario would be for McIllorum to move elsewhere, as we don't need him in the squad, and he must be expensive.
But am not holding my breath.