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We will probably hold on to TN for next season, absorb his ban for a third of it, then exchange him for Higham after that.

JJ posted:
i have heard from a very good source (Higam relation)
that Higam his going to Bradford for 12 months. :eusa14:

billyboy posted: Newton signed for Bradford over 3 weeks ago but Bradford have not yet lodged the papers with H.Q

So how many hookers to Bradford need?

The only explanation I can think of, if there is any truth in the above two quotes, is that due to Newtons ban the supposed musical chairs of Higham to Bulls then to us with Newton to the Bulls now has changed to:

Higham to the Bulls for 12 months.
Newton at Wigan for 2006 until his contract expires.
Then the clubs swap the two players at the end of next season.

That would mean we end up as the club to suffer for Newtons stupidity in the Saints game.

However is the above really plausable?

A lot can happen in a season. Either player could get injured. Newton could get banned again (my bet is first game back :eusa17: ).

I just can't see clubs planning swap deals 12 months down the line.

Dave

jinkin jimmy posted:
We will probably hold on to TN for next season, absorb his ban for a third of it, then exchange him for Higham after that.

My thoughts exactly, Bradford will leave him well alone this season, then when his contracts up they'll approach him, coincidentally the end of next season is when Henderson's contract is up. Personally i hope maurice does something drastic to keep him at the club or find us a replacement (which will be hard to do). I just don't want to see Higham in a wigan shirt!

mrs_carney posted:

jinkin jimmy posted:
We will probably hold on to TN for next season, absorb his ban for a third of it, then exchange him for Higham after that.

My thoughts exactly, Bradford will leave him well alone this season, then when his contracts up they'll approach him, coincidentally the end of next season is when Henderson's contract is up. Personally i hope maurice does something drastic to keep him at the club or find us a replacement (which will be hard to do). I just don't want to see Higham in a wigan shirt!

So how about we sign Henderson when his contract is up, in exchange for Newton? I've not seen the guy but quite a few people have been impressed with him, and we've not done too badly with Aussie hookers in the past...

TWO EYED WARRIOR posted:
I think higham would give millward more positional options than someone like Ian Henderson and as a few people have commented if the squad is a bit thin next year highams flexibility is going to vital

But if the current rumours are to be believed it won't happen next year but in 2007.

By that time I would hope the thin squad issue would have been addressed and we didn't need players who can play several position but wold be in a position to sign a specialist hooker.

I think Millward has a two year plan for the side. Next year we are going to be better and will have a shout at a trophy or two but we will need to be lucky with injury.

The year after I expect a stronger 3/4 line to be added to what is already a very good pack.

How Newton fits into this I don't know.

I can't see any club signing him now due to the ban. To my mind that means when he returns in 2006 if he wants a contract at Wigan after 2006 then he will need to play for one, which means playing not taking peoples heads off.

I would not be surprised if Wigan didn't renew his contract at the end of 2006 regardless of any proposed deal with Bradford.

If we could have Henderson for Newton I'd bite Bradfords hand off! For all Newtons good points he ultimatley lets the side down when it comes to the crunch games. He was very lucky in the last Tri-nations series not to get banned then. He only got off because the Aussies could not present any video evidence.

He then went and gave a penalty away at the death, for foul play and the Aussies marched up the pitch to win the game.

Add to that his ban this time for what he did in the Saints game I just don't reckon he can handle pressure games without losing his rag.

It is for those reasons I reckon 2006 will be Newtons last season at Wigan.

Dave