Wigan recruitment post Betts era!

[primrose-n-blue]

I cannot believe the standard of recruitment from Wigan in the post Betts era...The Millward times.

Wigan post relegation 79/80(had to get that in!) have long been associated with signing the best players...Hanley,Gregory,Miles,Inga,Offiah...etc. I wont go on, i'll be here all afternoon.

Why would Wigan ever signing players such as Wilkes-played at nearly half of the clubs in NL1.
Richards-an out and out winger brought in to play as a centre..wtf?
Logan-signed from the team that finished 3 points off the wooden spoon.
Fletcher with Logan spent his days in the NRL abyss and at 32yrs on a 2yrs deal?
I'll be fairer on Jonkers-but still a loaned off struggler.

I don't care really how much effort, circumstance or injury have played a part in Wigan, so don't go using it as a defence on their behalf...the bottom line is that these players are a gulf away from the signings we have come to expect from Wigan over many years...too many for me but thats another topic.

How many of these players would get into another super league club?
:eusa16:

[DaiJones]

Salary cap, 20/20 , unexpected raft of injuries resulting in having to buy when everyone half way decent is signed up, no need for any Union players to come north etc. Can't be bothered forming a coherent structured paragraph of argument or be lectured on recruitment by a Wire fan

[MrsLam]

We keep being reminded of players (before my time - omg am only 20 and I got a pension letter today...) that were bought from lower clubs and became legends at Wigan.

I'm personally not happy overall with Millward as I've stated too many times but I don't think the signings have been too bad pre season. We've got some big lads, none of them are playing admittedly but if they did who knows! That's why it's so annoying to be going to these games because on paper we do have some potential but something is wrong elsewhere.

As for Wilkes etc, wellll only time will tell. No one can say they'll be fantastic, but similarly we can't say they'll be that bad especially compared to some of the performances we've witnessed by our team this year.

[DaiJones]

...Oh I forgot, the departure of two of the biggest wage earners in the game part way through consecutive seasons, allowing no time to adequately find a replacement of similar stature

[tory boy]

Your absolutely spot on .To many old assuies who can,t hold down a contract in the nrl , some have been good but otherwise poor . Who is signing them the coaches or Lindsay , I beg to think the latter is to involved in selection of new players

[MrsLam]

tory boy posted:
I beg to think the latter is to involved in selection of new players

Been said Millward has come in and these are his choices now. Lyndsay looks to have had enough of being taken over by Milly, and has stepped back a bit allowing millward to recruit and therefore rightfully take the blame but like Mo has had to over the years an yet we still blame him!

[primrose-n-blue]

I'll say again just for DaiJones....

"I don't care really how much effort, circumstance or injury have played a part in Wigan, so don't go using it as a defence on their behalf...the bottom line is that these players are a gulf away from the signings we have come to expect from Wigan over many years."

Do you agree or don't you??

[DaiJones]

Yes, I'd like to see us signing the new Offiahs and Hanleys rather than Wilkes and Jonkers but a) where are they? and b) in the days when we had 8 internationals playing Alliance football on a Friday night, we didn't have to only pay 20 people £20,000 or more and players would have sold their kids to play at Central Park.

The game has changed since those glory days I'm afraid and we have perhaps not adapted our transfer policy as well as other clubs who perform financial miracles with their squads but we can't blame Maurice and Millward when their hands are effectively tied, they tried to sign Gasnier, they no doubt would love Sonny Bill Williams, Jamie Lyon and Kirk Yeaman but being realistic, they aren't going to get them any more.

[JIMH]

i think your being a little unfair on these signings Primrose.

Fletcher is a former Aussie test player and admittingly he is 32, but he is a natural leader which this team badly needs, his illness pre season was just unfortunate.

Pat Richards looks like he will be a very good signing, good size and pace who has done well when the ball has finally gone out to the wings.

Logan has put in some decent performances and seems to be a big solid prop.

Feka looks like he will be a world beater.

Calderwood hasnt performed at wigan but you cant deny the pedigree he was bought on, i would say on last seasons performance there was on big lesley at bradford who was better.

Higham one of the current GB hookers
Wilkes, its far to early to say what he will be like.

If you know where the new hanley, offiah etc can be found and bought in on the salary cap please let millward and maurice know, im sure they would love to sign them.

[Matthew]

primrose-n-blue posted:
Logan-signed from the team that finished 3 points off the wooden spoon.
Fletcher with Logan spent his days in the NRL abyss and at 32yrs on a 2yrs deal?

The NRL is a lot more competitive than Super League, whilst there are a couple of dominant teams, the honours are shared out much more evenly than they are here. Logan is a decent work horse and when fit would certainly get a place at most clubs. He previously played at Hull - who didn't want him to leave.

primrose-n-blue posted:
I'll be fairer on Jonkers-but still a loaned off struggler.

Strugglers? Have you seen the league table recently? Salford are 4th and above wire.

Wigan previously signed the best players from League and Union - with union going pro and not being restricted by the cap or 20/20 this is not going to happen anymore.

I'll grant you that some players have been disappointing to say the least. However what about Lam, Dallas, Furner, Johns, Renouf and this season Feka? To name a few.

Wigan's problem is a cohesion and organisation problem on the field - which according to some sources leads from a division in the dressing room.

Were the team playing to it's potential we would not be in our current position - and you'd be one place closer to the bottom of the table