173 replies to this topic

[ParisSurtout]

Until we see the other teams recruitment for next season,who can say.All it needs is a few injuries to key players,anything can happen.

We know the recruitment of all the clubs for next season, with the possible exception of cash strapped Harlequins.

The more important point you have raised is injuries. I think that Tomkins and Finch will be crucial to Wigan next year. Injuries to either, but especially to Tomkins, would be the one condition I would put on my confidence in Wigan.

Edited by ParisSurtout, 02 October 2010 - 07:39 PM.

[terrywebbisgod]

We know the recruitment of all the clubs for next season, with the possible exception of cash strapped Harlequins.

The more important point you have raised is injuries. I think that Tomkins and Finch will be crucial to Wigan next year. Injuries to either, but especially to Tomkins, would be the one condition I would on my confidence in Wigan.

Actually we don't know the recruitment for all the clubs,Leeds still need a replacement for Eastwood,I'm sure after tonight Saints may still pick up more players and apart from Hodgson, who have Warrington signed.

[Dirk Diggler]

All the other coaches have had a good look at Wigan as have the officials. The former now have the off season to work out how to play Wigan and the latter have the same period to see what (if anything) Wigan have been pushing as far as the rules go. Wigan have been largely a new entity this year but next year will have fewer suprises to offer. They cannot win everything for the next eight years by buying all the talent this time round.
Wigan should be favourites for 2011 right now and deservedly so but the challenge will already have started.

[hindle xiii]

Actually we don't know the recruitment for all the clubs,Leeds still need a replacement for Eastwood,I'm sure after tonight Saints may still pick up more players and apart from Hodgson, who have Warrington signed.

Exactly.

And also, next season is a different kettle of fish entirely. I'd let this thread drift off again.

[shrek]

After today's performance, who can doubt that we are at the beginning of an era of Wigan dominance.

St Helens were without Eastmond and Pryce. Big losses for sure. But Wigan played without attacking sensations in wingers Amos Roberts, and Man of Steel Pat Richards for the second half.

For 2011 Wigan substract "Piggy" Riddell, "Feka" Palea'aesina, Paul Deacon, and Bailey, but they add the powerhouse State of Origin backrower Ryan Hoffman, stand off Brett Finch and prop Jeff Lima. This is a net plus in talent.

It looks like a tough assignment for the other 13 clubs. Only St Helens, Leeds, Warrington and Les Catalans are likely to challenge them. But even so, Wigan stiill must be favourites for a second title in 2011.

"Piggy" will be a great loss, he seems to be as important off the pitch as on it, only an idiot would be installing favorites so far ahead of a ball being kicked and off season recruitment being finished.

Speaking as a Wigan fan I'll be paying the other 13 clubs far more respect than to right any of them off, even this season we have seen how teams may not be in with a shot of the title but can throw a spanner in the works of the champions to assist others.

[Emosi Koloto]

Signings from the NRL guarantee absolutely nothing, all they are is just names on paper at this stage.

I like Hoffman as a player but i haven't seen Lima do much for a couple of seasons and Finch is up and down.

What we do know is that Liam Farrell and Lee Mossop have the potential to be superstars and i would be disappointed if these two lose out to the higher paid imports.

The Wigan club under Maquire have built there squad around fantastic English players and every club should learn from that.

BTW, McIllorum was outstanding in the GF and Sam T was my m.o.m

[ParisSurtout]

Signings from the NRL guarantee absolutely nothing, all they are is just names on paper at this stage.

I like Hoffman as a player but i haven't seen Lima do much for a couple of seasons and Finch is up and down.

What we do know is that Liam Farrell and Lee Mossop have the potential to be superstars and i would be disappointed if these two lose out to the higher paid imports.

The Wigan club under Maquire have built there squad around fantastic English players and every club should learn from that.

BTW, McIllorum was outstanding in the GF and Sam T was my m.o.m

I agree that Wigan have a great squad of English players, many of them Wigan juniors. However the better imports add experience and, if they are top quality, mentoring to the English juniors.

I am not a huge fan of Finch because of his abrasive, "spoilt brat" personality. He caused a few problems when he was at the Sydney Roosters (e.g. a famous on field spat with the nicest guy in the team, Craig Fitzgibbon). However I think he has matured a bit at Melbourne under the "no nonsense" coaching of Craig Bellamy. Also worth noting, he does have a very good kicking game, and this will add another dimension to Wigan's attacking game.

One other point worth emphasising: the Melbourne Storm imports are not just "names on paper." They all have a good existing relationship with the Wigan coach. He knows their game, including their strengths and weaknesses, already. They know him, they must be comfortable with him, and so they will slot into the team much more easily than imports from other Australian clubs would have.

Edited by ParisSurtout, 02 October 2010 - 08:27 PM.

[saintfrank]

Inglis may go to Brisbane. Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater will stay in Melbourne for sure.

But Wigan have snared Jeff Lima, Ryan Hoffman, and Brett Finch.

http://www.smh.com.a...0717-10f2q.html

I would now appear that Wigan have their 2011 Grand Final appearance chalked in, with a victory almost certain.

hope salary cap covered

[The Clan]

Let's not forget that Gareth Hock will return to the Wigan side about a third of the way into the season.

[Tex Evans Thigh]

arent a couple of them getting done for match fixing?

[ParisSurtout]

Let's not forget that Gareth Hock will return to the Wigan side about a third of the way into the season.

Yes. I had forgotten about that. Hock's return suggests that Wigan will be even more difficult for any other club to defeat -- and I include here even by challengers St Helens, as well as by Warrington, Leeds and Les Catalans.

Hock's return, along with the addition of the powerhouse Ryan Hoffman, suggests that some promising, talented Wigan-raised backrowers will be susceptible to offers from other clubs.

Edited by ParisSurtout, 04 October 2010 - 12:44 PM.

[shrek]

Let's not forget that Gareth Hock will return to the Wigan side about a third of the way into the season.

Is he? Everyone I speak to seems to think he's nailed on for a 3 year deal at Penrith and his Wigans days are over. Wigan being Wigan everyone seems to have an Uncle, Cousin or Brother In Law that saw him had in his van keys and quit the day job he's been filling his time with during his ban as he was heading off down under!

[ParisSurtout]

Is he? Everyone I speak to seems to think he's nailed on for a 3 year deal at Penrith and his Wigans days are over. Wigan being Wigan everyone seems to have an Uncle, Cousin or Brother In Law that saw him had in his van keys and quit the day job he's been filling his time with during his ban as he was heading off down under!

Penrith have tried to hire him, but Wigan have so far refused to release him from his contract. I doubt that Penrith are going to be waiting around any longer for Wigan to change its mind. It is October already, and the players will be called up for preseason training in six or seven weeks.

Edited by ParisSurtout, 04 October 2010 - 01:25 PM.

[Exiled Wiganer]

Hock is actually a good illustration of the risks attendant on any prediction. Sure, he could slip seamlessly in and be the world beater his potential suggests he can be... or he could upset the delicate balance of a tight knit group and particularly annoy a Mossop/Farrell who may find himself playing less as a consequence. Not everyone was happy to see the prodigal son.
2 other things - one reason I am happy to have won this year is because GF wins do not come along very often for any team and the opportunity has to be seized on the day, rather than in the hope of a happier future. Finally, I simply could not see beyond Leeds this year - they looked to me certain to finish first, with daylight second. And look how that panned out. Les Cats have great, underperforming players, a young hungry coach who sounds exactly like MM from his CV and what people are saying about him... take Sam and Lockers out of our team and have them against a fired up Catalans in the play offs... it would be easy to see us losing.
We have won here and now. I for one intend to reflect on that till February, rather than book my tickets for next year's GF.