I just don't think it's that simple.

Carmont and/or Richards would walk into most teams in SL.

But even if they wouldn't, who do you replace them with? To bring in a world class winger and a world class centre - assuming you could find a pair who wanted to come to GB (because sadly there are none in GB, IMO) - would scupper all our other signing needs, and most agree that a prop and a half are our present priority.

I don't think we've recruited brilliantly. But my previous point stands; it's about identifying where you're really weak and trying to put that right first. And sadly, the answer clearly doesn't totally lie in looking inward. Noble's odd team selections haven't helped the situation, but there's increasing evidence that the likes of Ainsough and Sam are still far from the finished article (and they're the best in the Accelerate Squad).

I agree that we need new players. But even if we were to decide to replace everyone, it would take years and years.

i think we've also been tied due to the fact we don't have as much cap space as possible. I know we keep saying this, but fielden in particular, as well as people like bailey etc are taking up a huge chunk of the cap.

Thats why when it comes to aussie signings we can't afford the top echelon of players, such as buderus. So we had to go for riddell, who won't be cheap but i bet he's knowhere near the ex aus captain! Same for roberts, another proven player in the nrl, but i bet he's a damn sight cheaper than others.


Speaking of roberts, i don't think he's played badly for us at all. Can't think of many mistakes he's made, or chances that he's blown on the wing. Motm for me against wire as well.

Quite an old email, I missed it. But a pretty new update list of NRL players still out of contracts come the end of the season.

Luke Covell
Blake Green
Corey Hughes
Brett Kearney
Reni Maitua
Grant Millington
Bryan Norrie
Ben Ross
Aarron Gorell
Karmichael Hunt
Lagi Setu
David Taylor
Ben Te'o
Hasem El Masri
Daniel Holdsworth
Ben Roberts
Justin Tsoulos
Matthew Utai
Danny Williams
Brad Cross
Phil Graham
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
Scott Logan
Nigel Plum
Luke Bailey
Brenton Bowen
Daniel Conn
Ian Donnelly
Nathan Friend
Ben Jeffery
Matt White
Adam Cuthbertson
Glenn Hall
Heath L'Estrange
Matt Orford
Dane Nielsen
Kevin Proctor
Wairangi Koopu
Arana Taumata
Cameron Ciraldo
Matt Hilder
Ben Rogers
George Nadaira
Matthew Bartlett
Scott Bolton
Matthew Scott
Shane Tronc
Anthony Watts
Dayne Western
Shannon Hegarty
Grant Rovelli
Josh Cordoba
Joe Galuvao
Matt Keating
Kevin Kingston
Todd Lowrie
Tim Mannah
Fuifui Moimoi
Matt Raftery
Joel Reddy
Taulima Tautai
Paul Aiton
Matthew Bell
Maurice Blair
Petero Civoniceva
Geoff Daniela
Junior Moors
Keith Peters
Nathan Smith
Gavin Cooper
Shane Elford
Beau Champion
Beau Faloon
Scott Geddes
Michael Greenfield
David Kidwell
Jaiman Lowe
Jamie Simpson
Luke Stuart
John Sutton
Ben Creagh
Mathew Head
Dan Hunt
Brett Morris
Mickey Paea
Justin Poore
Wendell Sailor
Beau Scott
Ricky Thorby
Nick Emmet
Patrick Ah Van
Nathan Fien
Ian Henderson
Lance Hohaia
Stacey Jones
Aidan Kirk
Steve Price
Malo Solomona
Michael Witt
Danny Galea
Dene Halatau
John Morris
Corey Payne

I'd take Kidwell in a shot. Quality player and would be a top signing.

Off the list, any of the following please

Only glancing through those. We would be a whole different forward pack if we had:

Scott Logan
and
Steve Price

2 monster props, both experienced, both lead the pack well and both hit the defence hard.

Kidwell, Logan and Price





All 3 in the twilight of their careers.

Surprised none of you have mentioned John Sutton or Nathan Friend from that list. They're probably 2 of the best players on there. I'd keep an eye on Brett Morris as well who's scored 7 tries in the last 2 matches for St. George.

We should have gone in for Hindmarsh before he extended his contract aswell.

We not got enough back rowers?

Not of his standard.

wasn't there a story saying he'd rejected us and saints to resign for parra?

Class player yes but his main trait is getting through bucket loads of tackles. If we were to sign a back rower (which we really shouldn't) then it should be a big line breaking back rower in the mould of Lautiti or Frank Pritchard.

Personally I would rather see Lee Mossop brought through and develop into a strong 2nd rower

if we're going for back rowers then look no further than Anthony Watmough! The man's awesome. He single handedly destroyed Leeds in the world club challenge!

That's the point I was trying to make, we don't need back rowers

Watched the Cowboys , Knights game this morn` on the internet Lenegan was at the game sat with Carl Webb`s manager commentators where saying he was maybe gonna sign for wigan

Yes I reported this earlier yet nobody seems too interested.

If he can be d he would be a great signing, if he cant then he will be a bad signing, simple as really

He'd be a great signing, BUT if he comes over and doesn't perform, everyone will be doing a Riddell and Roberts. Another highly paid Aussie on his hols

.

IL may have been looking at Johnathan Thurston, the whole Webb could be a throw off

Killing 2 birds with 1 stone maybe !!!!

We need a prop and a half back, at least IL is looking at the right type of player.
When Gleeson signed he was an improvement in quality over some previous signings when we'd little money available.
If he's looking at that quality of half back then we have a real chance of another quality player even if it isn't Thurston.
Webb will do for me as prop anytime.

I'm not sure he is the type of prop we need. He is an impact prop. Comes on for two 15 stints per game. Surely we need a prop who can be doing 60 minutes?

I am sure Il was looking at Thurston. He is exactly the type of 7 we need, organising the team around the park. We won't get him though. If we did, that would be a coup-but it won't happen.

Kimmorley is a target we could get realistically, and would suit Wigan very well.

Why would Webb do? He plays in the second row for the Cowboys. He is not the type of prop we need. A bad buy posted all over this one.

This presumably is a joke?

You would seriously consider Carl Webb a bad buy?

Put it this way, we'd be lucky if we got anywhere near him.

Yes I would. DId you watch the match today? He is too hit and miss. That is why the Broncos off loaded him back at the end of 2004. He is not the right type of player for Wigan. We need a workhorse prop and a two 25 minute stint prop.

Carl Webb's contract is until the end of the 2010 season and he is meant to be on $300,000 Aussie per year. So what is that in English? About £140k a year? Value for money on that wage? Further, I guess we would have to pay over the odds to get him out of his extra year?

Luke Bailey at the Gold Coast is off contract. WHy not go for him?