Are we going to take the pitch to the Cops theme tune "bad boys"

Signing players with a "history" might not be ideal as we rebuild

I understand that Gareth "Comment Removed" Hock will be going to the naughty boys corner AKA Widnes.

I saw the initials R.C. and wished it stood for Ray Cashmere,
Alas it stands for a disagreeable REMOVED COMMENT stealing a living in an England top .
Hock is currently the worlds top paid RL 2nd row forward,
one moment we haven't got enough money to pay for the cheerleaders tights , next we look like we're planning to be RL's very own Betty Ford clinic .

You'd have the same problem with Hock that the Pies have - getting him to stay cool enough to play 80 minutes without a red card.

Hock , still sulking over failed move to OZ , has not trained with the squad yet, hence him being touted for a move, great player but also a liability

Gone to Widnes

Not yet he hasnt

An accurate assessment. Why can the Aussies breed tough but disciplined forwards (Willie Mason excepted ) while some of our hard men are just thugs?

Gone to Salford as the rich man pays a big fee.

Would be very happy to get Hock as without doubt he would add some steel in the forwards and most definately be a David Young or Paul Forber type looking after the youngsters.

You have to think that with Wilde, Dixon, Ashurst and McPherson we have some very good quality back rowers, add a couple of good props and the forwards look more than capable.

I can't actually remember when I was last this excited about possible new signings, fantasy rugby comes to Salford rather than fantastic player leave.

Looks like going to widnes

no you or kr we wont pay the extorsionate fee they want

I got the impression that the widens chairman wants to sell up maybe that's why your chairman won't punt cash

I see there are reports that Hock has signed for Widnes, I find that strange seeing as the owner it appears is looking to get new investment or a new owner on board.

The only thing I can see is if Wigan are part paying his wages and that he sees having a marketable name like Hock on board to make his search easier. Think with Hock it could well turn out his name makes selling the club on harder.

[url=http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_10783-betts-confirms-widnes-bid-to-sign-gareth-hock.htmllBetts confirms Widnes bid to sign Gareth Hock[/url

Widnes have the club connection -Betts - Cassidy - O'Connor
They also have the family connection - New signing Kevin Brown is his brother in law.
The comment they were in the hunt but were wary of a bidding war for Hock's services is interesting .
It reminds me of the clamour for Willie Mason, lots of hype ,but damp sqib. He can't or won't play for Wigan , he set his sights on an NRL deal which fell through, will his mind be on the job for whoever he ends up with?

He's joined Widnes on a season long loan.

Kev Brown's married to Hock's sister?? Is the family resemblance a strong one?

An interesting read on the Wigan official site. I think we may have had a lucky escape, despite his obvious talent. www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... 869&type=1

An interesting read on the Wigan official site. I think we may have had a lucky escape, despite his obvious talent. www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... 869&type=1

A little (probably inadvertent) dig by Ian Lenagan there: "Since I and Wigan are not prepared to allow Gareth Hock to play for one of our major competitors, we have decided to retain his Registration and to allow him to move on loan to Widnes Super League Club..."

So that's Widnes put in their place then!

I think we dodged a bullet there.

If you could give him a personality and brain transplant he'd be a world beater. Yin and Yang I suppose. If you have as much talent as he does it makes sense you'd be a bit of a knobber with everything else to balance it out.

Would have been a good signing for us, but it's a huge gamble for any Club that takes him on.

You shouldn't believe anything reported in the Sun.

Did not read it in son a widens fan that works at are place told us plus also read it on website never read the sun

Quote ="RedDave"An interesting read on the Wigan official site. I think we may have had a lucky escape, despite his obvious talent. www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... 869&type=1'" I'm not going to say I'm glad we missed out on him because on his day he is a game winning 2nd rower . however reading what is a thinly disguised character assassination on the player . plenty has gone on . Widnes are paying Wigan undisclosed fee for Hock's services. but he not allowed to play against his ex team . Quote Since I and Wigan are not prepared to allow Gareth Hock to play for one of our major competitors, we have decided to retain his Registration and to allow him to move on loan to Widnes ..'" ouch ! I'll take solace that we must now be a ' major competitor ' I don't think I've seen a more miserable sign on photo than this ?

Quote ="RedDave"An interesting read on the Wigan official site. I think we may have had a lucky escape, despite his obvious talent. www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... 869&type=1'" I'm not going to say I'm glad we missed out on him because on his day he is a game winning 2nd rower . however reading what is a thinly disguised character assassination on the player . plenty has gone on . Widnes are paying Wigan undisclosed fee for Hock's services. but he not allowed to play against his ex team . Quote Since I and Wigan are not prepared to allow Gareth Hock to play for one of our major competitors, we have decided to retain his Registration and to allow him to move on loan to Widnes ..'" ouch ! I'll take solace that we must now be a ' major competitor ' I don't think I've seen a more miserable sign on photo than this ?

Or a more horrific kit.

A truly awful photo all round...

Though it's not rocket science that we (like 60%+) of the league aren't really in direct competition with Wigan. This comment is as much saying they haven't 'released' Hock to us in a way that would allow us to sell on to one of Wigan's title rivals... a la the way they signed Micky Higham.