Mathers to Wigan

[WiganWarrior]

Shrewd business i think, not what would have happend with Linsday involved

The contract setup seemed great low money for 2008 (when we need to save it) and then options with 2nd and 3 year with increases. IMO we can see if he can be fit regulary and play well without a great risk if he doesnt.

With Richards on wing again, Colbon will obviously have to wait for injury most likely to get back, but good cover, with Richards back to Fullback.

I would imagine he probably hasnt eaten much into the 140k we have.

[ancientnloyal]

The idea with colbon is that he will be pretty much like Vaealiki was at the start of 2007 in my opinion. When Withers got injured he took his chance and started playing well (then quickly went back to normal)... Colbon may have a great opportunity in the first few rounds to showNole what he will have on the bench

[DP_wrlfc]

Will Calderwood be fully fit for the start of the year ??

[Sutty]

I would expect so, I haven't read anything that says his ankle fracture is complicated, He should be back in light training at the start of Pre season, if not almost certainly by Crimbo

[cpwigan]

Dave O posted:
I think you are in a very small minority who thinks Richards had found his true position at full back. His returns were poor and he didn't link well in attack. He did a good job for us and better than many including me thought at full back but providing Mathers can get fit I think you see full back becoming a more attacking position for us once again as it should be. It also means we have Richards attacking capability back on the wing while at the same time knowing we have cover for full back should Mathers get injured.

Word has it form where he wanted to go back to Leeds? Surely that was never an option given their current team.

I don't think Wigan would have signed him at all if he didn't fit into the medium to long term plans so I don't think it's a case of beggars not being choosers.

The fact he may come on a small wage as he must prove himself may have made the signing possible but his probable low wage is not IMO the reason why Wigan have signed him. If we have got him cheaply then it is a bit of good fortune for us given our financial constraints.

Wigan have not signed him like Millward signed some players - those clearly not of a standard for SL but to simply bolster the squad and because they were cheap enough. I don't think Wigan are into that any more. I think he has been signed as a potentially very good player who must prove his injury has not affected his game.

That is why years two and three are options based on appearances. If he proves himself he is set for a long career here according to IL. You don't dish out (possible) three year deals to players who you don't want to be part of your long term plans or to players who are stop gaps.

The only down side is IMO it is a gamble fitness-wise so it all depends on how he fairs when he gets match fit. At least the contract is formulated that is his career is over we are not stuck with him.

Dave

All I know is that the best fullbacks Wigan have had were great defenders. Pat Richards at fullback was an exceptional defender. His defence had far more effect at full back than wing.

Kick returns. Well given he was impeccable fielding kicks he was already 1 up on most fullbacks. Not a great evasive runner which is even more of a weakness on the wing he made yards by going straight and direct. Timing runs / supporting ball carriers he was getting better at. NOBODY will know how good he could have been now will they :conf: From fullback we got good kick ploys from Trent, more successfukl than the much vaunted cross frield kick to Pat and we got valuable drop goals that we will not get when he is on the wing.

We won more games with Pat at fullback than on the wing. I have never thought he was out of this world on the wing personally.

Mathers, does anybody know how well he will play following injury. If he had been so good beforehand why did Gold Coast opt for Preston Camphell instead at the start of the 2007 season.

His agent approached Leeds first they turned him down. We are beggars. We have little money thankyou ML/DW. We are offering contracts to the likes of Wayne Pryce. If WP is not on a par with Wilkin/James then what is he?

[pedro]

Wilkes...

I do think Pats kick returns were his severs weekenss. He couldnt burst out of a wet papaer bag. His other attributes are fantastic and he was a very good full back.

Its a risk but it may pay off as Mathers before injury was better than Pat at FB and Richards is a far better Winger than Colbon although both lack real pace.

[mike binder]

jonnys coming to wigan
na na n na
na na na na

[fitzy]

I dont think the fact that pat 's gone back to the wing will be a disadvantage to drop goals as mathers can kick dg and goals if pat gets injured

[right cross]

mathers on a 12 month deal ,karl price bieng looked at and most of all ,,,,, barrett wants to play loose forward , now then thts put a different look on it all :exc: