Danny Brough at orrell today

[GeoffN]

You've all got the wrong end of the stick - Danny just wanted a chat with his new coach because Nobby's going to Wakefield...

[highland convert]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Is it inconcievable that Brough and Handley went to see a game of rugby league,
Or have we Handly as a coach and Brough as a player

[GeoffN]

this sounds like one for the roumur mill to me.

I was thinking that, but the fact that he was at Orrell isn't a rumour, whatever the speculation around it.

[exile in Tiger country]

Lose Piggy, Tommy and MM would be great at 9.

[exile in Tiger country]

You've all got the wrong end of the stick - Danny just wanted a chat with his new coach because Nobby's going to Wakefield...

Straight swap for John Kear?

[Kittwazzer]

You've all got the wrong end of the stick - Danny just wanted a chat with his new coach because Nobby's going to Wakefield...

Straight swap for John Kear?

Not a bad idea. John Kear coached Sheffield to a historic Wembley victory as Sky never fail to remind us!!

[Matthew]

Brough has done well at Wakefield - however I am not sure he would do as well at Wigan. He reminds me of Danny Orr when he was at Cas; best player in a pretty average side.

What does he bring that we do not already have in Sam? If it meant that McIlorum had to leave (or did not play as much) then I think that would be a very bad call.

[DaveO]

Brough has done well at Wakefield - however I am not sure he would do as well at Wigan. He reminds me of Danny Orr when he was at Cas; best player in a pretty average side.

A similar thought crossed my mind about him being a Danny Orr type signing.

What does he bring that we do not already have in Sam? If it meant that McIlorum had to leave (or did not play as much) then I think that would be a very bad call.

It is about getting the right balance to the side and I don't understand the logic of re-signing TL then looking for another half back.

It boils down to this IMO, which is better:

Riddell and TL playing 9 with Brough at 7 Tomkins at 6

Or

Riddell and MM playing 9 with TL at 7 and Tomkins at 6?

Despite other possible permutations I believe that is how we would line up if Brough came or didn't.

My own view is both are compromises of a sort. I don't think TL is that good a 9 and so in the hooking department we would be worse off and MM would be gone if Brough arriving moved TL to 9.

Staying as we are is also a bit of a compromise because TL isn't a world class scrum half either (and neither is Brough).

As TL was out of contract then if the club really wanted to improve the half backs it should simply have been to let TL go and it should have gone all out to get a really top class 7. Brough does not fit that bill and if we sign him and it is ultimately at the expense of MM as TL gets his place then this is bad business IMO. Brough isn't worth losing a player like MM over and won't be significantly better than TL despite my reservations over him as a 7.

Dave

[cpwigan]

Not an enormous Brough fan but he does have a great kicking game. I agree with Dave that if it happens it sends strange messages re the squad etc and team planning. Tommy confuses the hell out of me personally. I do not think he is a 7 but if you move him to hooker whilst he is fine there most of his tries come when he twists and turns running at the A defenders.

If we do buy a halfback I think it is important he prefers the right side for passing.

[thomo]

It is beauty all this speculation

Brough is been linked with several clubs and do we really know what is happening

Maybe Riddell is considering asking for a release and we are exploring back up options.

Is Brough not linked with HKR - maybe the will release Dobson

My only concern is that there are very few plans been made for next year and it has all gone quiet on the transfer front - are we going with what we had this year and spending more on gleeson

Money should be available on the cap - put the saving from Smith towards Gleeson, saving from Mathers towards improving contracts
Still leaves Hock's money for a new forward - ie the prop we all want
plus Bailey's money - if he is on the £200K rumoured amount then he is worth no more than half that - money there