Not even in Saints 19 man squad for the weekend, Wilkin is playing 7 instead

Well this halfback we're lining up must be some player given Leigh have signed Burns and Drinkwater in the last few weeks. Can't wait for the announcement now..

Have to say, it's making Ferres look rather incompetent. If Leigh signed one of them ahead of us, then fair enough as they will have some cap space available, but to sign two in a matter of weeks of Chase departing when we've been looking for around 8 months

That's the thing though BB, IF the one mentioned a couple of weeks back was Drinkwater and he has gone elsewhere, can we be sure there is still a definite target for halfback? As distinct from any other potential recruits who are NOT actually halves, that is...

I suspect we may not be competing with Leigh financially as Green isn’t as wealthy as Beaumont. That may explain why we keep missing out.

Pretty sure it's not simply a matter of cap space - Leigh are seemingly tanked up with cash and, much as we deride their chairman's somewhat eccentric behaviour, he's
sticking his money where his gob is. But, if he's prepared to throw money around and we're outbid, then that's just a fact of life and little that Ferres can do about it.

Well the upside is that just piles pressure on the Leigh Squad to perform in the 8's and while I don't expect an implosion like last year, it could affect performances in tight games!

Think there's just as much pressure on us as we're desperate to get back in SL.

Signed on loan for Leigh for the rest of the season

Most likely their 'brown envelopes' are bigger than anyone else!...Who needs a salary cap then!

Timmy Taylor's or Sam Smiths?

Good news is that Derek's been joined by a bloke equally as wealthy and daft about Leigh

Pray tell who Mo?Because I've not heard anything, and normally,Charlie knows.

Oh no, bugger off you lot!

Could be someone's imaginary friend?

As much as I disliked the signing at the time and what happened subsequently I'd love a Iestyn Harris signing right now.

As long as we didn't end up with all the same sort of fall out

Not too bothered about burns, other than the general annoyance that our toughest champ rival have signed 3 halfs whilst we failed to sign 1. I'd have taken him but he's probably not exactly what we need. I'm more bothered about missing out on drinkwater if we were in for him. But having said that we clearly don't want to get in a bidding war on salaries with Leigh as we'd lose or end up paying over the odds.

On the bright side at least now even leigh might not need any more halfbacks! But I'm thinking we arent going to get one now before the 8's and we'll have to go with some combination of addy/gaskell/Thomas/mathers, with my choice being Thomas 7 and gaskell 6, addy 13 and mathers filing in to rest gaskell at 6 when we can.

We might get Bateman back on loan

I don't think he's up to halfback Roger!

But in all seriousness, is that based on anything other than the rumours of his off field antics?

I think that sums things up well. Perhaps we're being unfair and the change of coach has halted some deals going through? I'm probably being over generous though and it really is frustrating that we've left if this long to fill the shirt and still no news heading into June. Hoping and praying that plenty of deals are being thrashed out as we speak and in a few weeks time this frustration will be long forgotten. Hey I'm an optimist... most of the the time!

Absolutely no substance in it whatsoever Bully

Can see him leaving Wigan if it's all true though

I think he did actually play a bit of 6 in his younger days, but it would still be a square peg in a round hole situation.

I agree with Roger though, I think there may be punishment, but I'd be amazed if he ended up leaving Wigan. For any reason, as obviously there's nothing to speculate on or suggest has happened.... ahem.

m.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/spo ... w_signing/

m.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/spo ... w_signing/

He did, played mostly at 6 in his junior days and came of the bench at 16 to make his debut for the first team (Dudley Hill) at full back against Stanley rangers tore them to shreds and created match winning try in extra time. Then started the next game at stand off, scored and got MOM. Not that im saying he should be playing 6 now tho haha

Even if Bateman were to leave Wigan (unlikely IMO, as Wane absolutely loves him), there'd be a queue of suitors a mile long before he'd need to consider playing for the Bulls again...