Wigan also have a host of current internationals who Bateman has to unseat before he can guarantee himself a starting spot & the chance of honours. Which might focus the mind somewhat.

Franny speaks of the players buying into a certain culture. This, I think is why he has Chev Walker and Matt Diskin in the squad. They're both past their best, but both are good role models to the younger players. They are excellent professionals, who, as far as I'm aware take their career seriously and build their lifestyle around it, whether they are in season or not.

From what I understand, Whitehead and Bateman don't have the same type of discipline once they get away from training. I can think of at least one other player who you could say the same of that is still in the squad. Will this be the end of the departures?

Having a bad culture away from the club that includes drinking and who knows what else can be infectious and spread through the squad in no time, especially with the younger players.

The club stuck by Hock, but Wane, once he got the chance after being charge a short while, got rid of him. Bateman has to change his lifestyle, if he doesn`t Wane won`t muck about. As for a future international skipper the transformation would have to be on a grand scale for that to happen. Sorry he is no Sinfield, first of all he will need elocution lessons.
I really hope he can change because he could be a great player although he is on the small side.

I would say you're absolutely spot on with that assessment. I mentioned a similar thing last year (albeit not on these forums). When Walker signed the new deal, it was even mentioned in the T&A column what a role model he is with his lifestyle and professionalism, in particular refrain from alcohol during the season.

If you make players like that locker room leaders, it's bound to have an effect on other players. If you can get your entire squad buying into it, then it can only be a good thing. A difficult thing to achieve, but something Franny clearly has his sights set on. And why not? It's worked at Leeds.

A lot of this shows the danger of overhyping young players sometimes. If you build them up too much before they’ve made it they can get thinking the grass is greener elsewhere. Bateman’s a long way from the finished article. Whitehead is too TBH. While moving to another club might well do them good in the end it depends on the player themselves as to whether they make it. Has Bateman got the right attitude? Will he knuckle down at Wigan? You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to be a RL player but you need to know how to prepare yourself properly. I wonder if he was led astray here at Bradford? I wonder if FC is trying to change the culture here to make sure that can’t happen again? I like to think so.

When you look at Wigan under Maguire they changed the culture of the place massively. Wane bought into that and so did many of the young players they have coming through. Those that didn’t were cut, e.g. Hock. This didn’t take place overnight. When you look at performances by the Bulls over the past 5 or 6 years you can see we weren’t as professional. A lot may be down to having the resources but a lot is down to mindset too. I hope FC is on the right lines. Time will tell.

but I'm less sure about the mentality and even the physicality given his recent injury record.

I'm gutted that a Yorkshireman has gone to the hillbillies but I am sure that if anyone can sort his head out it is their current set up. See Radlinski's comments about his physical state.

You might think this, Wigan might think this, not sure Mr Bateman does.

Beer gut.

Whatever is the full story behind the Bateman debacle (funny how nobody came in for him while we were paying his full wage for being injured and in rehab) the sad truth is that a club with only 3000 season ticket holders won't be able, in the medium term, to keep any top players, or build up a top squad. Workmanlike is all you can hope for. And whatever the sales are to date, this sort of news will all but kill any substantial further sales. Which makes me suspect we had no choice.

As a player Bateman clearly has outstanding ability in flashes, which other players don't have, but I can't remember a game that he took by the scruff of the neck, or turned, and it's true he's not the biggest. I'd say we've lost his potential (whatever that is) and if Wigan can sort him out then he could become a top player but that would just mean he would join the legion of players, all still playing, that were and could or should still be Bulls. For players still playing, that goes back to criminally losing Jamie Peacock and Leon Pryce as a result of the Harris farrago, to the inevitability of the loss of Burgesses Sam, George and Tom to Aus, to the likes of Atkins and Bridge, Ferres, Wardle, Kopczak and Larne Patrick picking up League Leader's Shield medals, Whitehead of course, as well as the likes of Menzies and Elima. Not to mention on the coaching side with coaches such as Paul Anderson and occasional pot-lifting Brian Mac.

At least the Bulls are doing their bit for world rugby, if not for their long-suffering fans.

I wonder if we may get one or two loanees from Wigan as part of this deal? I know it hasn't been mentioned as yet but the Pies do seem to have a plethora of players at the moment and only so many can join Leigh or South Wales. I'd particularly look towards a prop forward or two, perhaps an outside back.

Perhaps they'll loan us Bateman back on a season long loan?

nah the spare pies will be heading to london so they can field a team

Bateman? Hardly a loss. Massively over-hyped, seemingly almost permanently injured, and, alledgedly a complete tool off the park.

Off you pop. Never rated you anyway.

Don't think there's an allegedly about it. I'm not sure there's a bigger chav in all of Super League, and I've taken Charnley & Hardaker into consideration. You can forgive chaviness if the player is good enough to cancel it out. Jury is out on Bateman yet I feel. He could go the way of a Sean O'Loughlin, or he could end up another Matt Cook. Time will tell. Either way, I'd be surprised if he didn't have 5 kids from different mums by the time he retires.

Everything I have heard about him off the pitch does not exactly paint him in a particularly good time. Classic case of "Billy Big Time" it seems.

Spent two seasons predominantly on the treatment table and despite being unable to actually do his job properly, seemed to be ok at the weekends up the town I am led to believe.

Sod him.

There's a lot or people on here who claim to know it all. Any chance of Saturdays lotto numbers? Would solve all the problems then

How many of you know Bateman personally?

My uncle is a Wigan fan. I'm not saying this is true, and I really can't see it being so, but he tells me that he's heard that they're after Foster to replace Pat Richards. I'm just passing this on in case anyone else has heard anything similar?

I haven't, but if you look at their squad, they surely need to sign another winger. After Charnley, who else is going to play on the wing for them, unless they move one of the centres there (Goulding or Thornley). And if they do that, their first choice centre is Anthony Gelling.

To me, Wigan's squad is sorely missing a quality three quarter, so I wouldn't be surprised if they were after someone.

I believe you & you have my utmost sympathy.

I would of thought Hardaker to play centre would be an option for them and Leeds sign a new fullback,just a thought

I know. Woe is me! After the grief I used to give him he milks their recent success to the fullest! The Bateman signing almost pushed me over the edge as it is! I Foster went I don't know if I could take it!