withers millard and leuluai confirmed

[Bear]

To be honest i think the signings are great to say they have signed 2 and 3 year deals, you cant say godwin would have stayed that long.

[cpwigan]

I can remember last seaon, ML piping on about how all the great Wigan teams had a core of Wigan born lads in the team and thart was vital to our success. So forget what we think, what about the guy in charge and how he flip flops. It reaches the point where he has no credibility amongst supporters and I am actually very loyal as I was watching when they (Gang of 4) got things right.

Ashton must play in the team. He must play fullback. People complain about his full back last line defence well one thing is for sure it will not get any better if he is on the wing or at centre. Ashton has skills that are natural and not coached.

Goulding needs games. Not a full season BUT he needs 1/3 to 1/2 a season. You can bring backs through if you have a solid dominant pack and good halfbacks. We have those proviso we get no injuries. We ideally needed a prop.

Tomkins needs some games next season, O'caroll / Prescott need game time. McClorrum will be ready to play first team in another 12 months. If he is, what happens? Millard for 2 years, will McClorrum hang around?

[cpwigan]

The experience bit is BULL for me too. Many of or players are a year older. Lockers, Hock etc. The pack now has Fielden, Higham, Feka, Fletcher = all very experienced. The backs have Barrett, mega experienced, captaincy experience. McAvoy / DV are both very experienced. Bailey is mega experienced.

So why 2 more old guys? 2/3rds of the team are experienced. We have 3 with captaincy experience too.

[Wigan_forever1985]

Just thoought id say that Withers is down as "full back" under his position on the Wigan Website not Center. To be honest if withers is chose ahead of ashton ill be really disappointed with the club ill never stop supporting wigan no matter what but does anyone else look at this team and it look like a bunch of strangers?

[Exiled Wiganer]

I am not sure there is much consensus. For what it's worth, I think Leuluai will become a great player with Trent beside him. Having watched him play for London these last 2 years, he is a real talent, and, with good coaching will be better than Orr could ever dream of being.

Every time I have seen Withers play he has done some damage. He has also played 5/8 so he gives us good cover. I am praying that Noble sees him in the centre alongside Goulding/Bailey as circumstances permit.

Godwin went because he wanted more cash and to be a umber 1 hooker. Sure, he loved it here, and made the right noises, but Wigan did not force him out. So we don't have the luxury of saying we'd rather Godwin than Millard. the choice wasn't ours in the end. 2 things you'll get from Millard are canny play and toughness. He's martin Hall reborn. Not great, but sound.

I am more concerned about the prop position (though I can persuade myself we can make do by spelling big second rowers and using Prescott and O'Carroll) and, far more of a worry, the lack of a goal kicker. Going into a season without one seems madness to me, and is obviously insane that I will continue to cling to the hope that tehre is at least one other signing to come until SL kicks off.

[Matthew]

cpwigan posted:
Ashton must play in the team. He must play fullback.

Couldn't agree more.

Ashton has the potential to become world class. Just as Radlinski was the best defensive fullback of his generation, Ashton could well become the best offensive fullback. If his defence matures to be as good as Rads offense was then he will be pretty good!

I would have been happy to see Withers signed if it meant that David "Donkey" Vaeliki was on his way. Withers could have covered for Ashton when injured and also provided depth/options at centre.

I think that it will be clear who is playing where when the squad numbers are released. Not only who is first choice fullback - but whether Bailey will be playing centre or second row.

Expect uproar if Withers is given shirt number 1!

[DaveO]

Bear posted:
To be honest i think the signings are great to say they have signed 2 and 3 year deals, you cant say godwin would have stayed that long.

Why not?

I am sure he would have liked a two or three year contract at Wigan in an improved wage, money that has been used to get Withers.

Dave

[DaveO]

Exiled Wiganer posted:
Godwin went because he wanted more cash and to be a umber 1 hooker.

He is no. 2 behind Swain for 2007.

Sure, he loved it here, and made the right noises, but Wigan did not force him out. So we don't have the luxury of saying we'd rather Godwin than Millard.

That is a very simplistic view IMO. The club should have been looking to tie him up on a long term contract for two or three years. To do that they needed to improve his wage but obviously would not with reports of him earning double at Hull (but don't forget twice not a lot is still not a great deal before anyone says he is on silly money at Hull)

the choice wasn't ours in the end.

The ball was completely in Wigan's court. Any club letting a young player of his experience and talent go and then ends up signing a 31 year old for two years as replacement has got its wires crossed somewhere.

2 things you'll get from Millard are canny play and toughness. He's martin Hall reborn. Not great, but sound.

That is an insult to Martin Hall IMO.

Dave

[DaveO]

Matthew posted:
I would have been happy to see Withers signed if it meant that David "Donkey" Vaeliki was on his way. Withers could have covered for Ashton when injured and also provided depth/options at centre.

I agree and so long as it was for 12 months not two years. I think the only way we have persuaded Withers (and Millard) to come here is because of the two year deal. That is the worst part of the deal.

I think that it will be clear who is playing where when the squad numbers are released. Not only who is first choice fullback - but whether Bailey will be playing centre or second row.

Expect uproar if Withers is given shirt number 1!

Well there is a good chance of musical chairs given the lack of a third prop that will go something like this:

Fletcher to prop, Baily to second row and Withers to centre.

It it ends up being Ashton to centre and Withers to full back as well the uproar will be justified.

I also think Fletcher at prop is a waste and Baily at 2nd row while maybe is his natural position means we have yet again failed to use one of our genuine overseas quota spots for a top class centre in their prime.

Dave

[jinkin jimmy]

mike binder posted:
Barratt is due in over the next couple of days could be flying now as we speak

I was told by our coaching staff he wouldn't be here until January. :conf: