Agreed. If the other rumours surrounding Lynch and/or Kylie Leulaui at Leeds are true and we let go Phelps, Bailey, Smith and Coley possibly sign another player as back-up then I see no reason as to why Wigan can't challenge Leeds and Saints consistently instead of the odd game in a season.

I don't think so, Tony Smith has come and realised they need to rebuild. They're in the same situation as Wigan 3 years ago, good players on massive wage and lots of crap mixed in.

So they've taken the money for a player who wanted out and got a FB who is actually better than what they have at present. They seem to already be looking to next season and beyond.

While Wigan have bought a player who unlocks defences and will produce a devastating partnership with Amos Roberts. A good deal both ways.

What do you expect him to say - "I can't believe I've signed for this shower of sh*te to be honest. If they didn't offer me a load of wonga and the NRL clubs hadn't told me where to go, I would never have come here!"?



Very good signing for Wigan if his attitude is spot on. He's England's best Centre by a mile.

He doesn't have to say things like that though. He didn't at Warrington.

Not even for the 2 years he has been here.

First off we need 2 or 3 quality signings in the right positions and this should be possible on the cap, just have to hope the right players become available.

Second of all we need stability which apart from the quality of players is the main difference between Saints and Leeds and the rest of super league. Look at the spine of both their teams

Saints Wellens Pryce Long Cunningham/Roby Wilkin(not to sure who their 13 is)

Leeds Webb McGuire Burrow Buderus/Diskin Sinfield

All of those players (apart from Buderus) have played for their clubs for a long time and know each others games inside out, they are well drilled and know each others roles perfectly. If you add to those combinations the ones such as Gardner and Gidley, Donald and Senior (eventhough Donald has changed wings but you get my point) they have had stability for a long time and this is what sets them apart from the rest of super league. For Wigan to get to their level it is going to take time as we need to first of all build the team and then give time for the combinations to develop.

It will not be an overnight thing and we won't see significant success for a few years but give it time and it will be worth it.

KEEP THE FAITH

I'd say us signing Sean Long was a better bargain to be fair.

I think he will improve the side (not hard!). I just hope we haven't used up too much of our salary cap in order to get him. Not as good as he was IMO but still better than what we have and I'm not too sure on his defensive capabilities.

Him and Tim Smith will make a cracking partnership.

Agreed but on the stabiltity front if a partnership we cant carry on with it just for stability's stake ie LuLu/Smith. Be under no illusions it is and will be a long process for us to actually consistently challenge Leeds/Saints.

As you said 'KEEP THE FAITH', I think that slogan is synonymous with Wigan fan's as through thick and thin, we always have and we always will.

Great signing for you men,massive fan of Glees i'd love him back at Saints!

Just walked in from work and have to say, I am absolutely delighted.

Have heard rumours all day but didn't believe them as people have been telling me the same thing for a week.

I wasn't really looking forward to Thursday night as I have a big day at work and was thinking well if I am knacked I will just stay at home and watch it on telly. Nowt will keep me away now

As long as He doesn't end up in Jail or something I think he'll be alright!



Come on John! That's a Poor effort Even by your standards!

PS

I think you may have 1 or 2 guys who like the Lubrication and it hasn't harmed you guys over the past 4 or 5 years!

PPS

Isn't it your Round on Thursday!

It wasn't that bad.

Yeah you have a point we do and it doesn't seem to have harmed them, sadly I would say it has harmed Mr Gleeson and his other drinking buddies at Warrington. Already it doesn't seem to have done Tim Smith much good, Dally M young player to turnstile impersonator out on the field!

PPS- Yes I do believe it is!

Good luck. In truth, he never wanted to play for us (we only rescued his career when Saints didn't want him). Still, all history now, pnwards and upwards.

That's the difference though isn't it!
A few scoops and pick up the Wins and nobody cares!
A few scoops and not winning and it's a whole different Ball game!

Let's be honest & I think I said this to you in Oz! Gleeson is the best British Centre by a Country Mile at the moment, He was one of the few who performed Reasonably well in Oz and IMHO his efforts for England in the World Cup made him one of Englands Best 3 or 4 players in the tournament!

As a Wigan Fan I can only say that if I was told I could pick 1 Player from Warrington to come to Wigan I would have picked Gleeson!

That'll do for me!

PPPS

Fosters Please, Usual Meeting Place!

We got the lad from Warrington
Gleeson Gleeson
He'll keep scoring tries for fun
Gleeson Gleeson
He'll flick the ball out to the wing
And make a try out of nothing
Martin Gleeson
Wigan's twenty two

Na na na na na na na

I too have this feeling. I'm looking forward to him settling in and creating a partnership with Amos Roberts which hopefully means we'll see Amos at full tilt if he can get out in space.

Roberts needs time. i know everyone says this but its so true

The guys never been out of Australia he needs to get used to more than just the rugby being played.

middle of 06 through the dark days. if someone told us we would see a pairing off Gleeson and Roberts..we would have laughed them out the room



Lets give them time

just listened to IL interview says roberts family has finaly arrived with his new kid what was only just born before he come here lets hope this makes differnce an cant wait to see GLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESON score thursday

The fact that Roberts' family wasn't over here must have been pretty tough on him. Hopefully he'll pick up confidence and start showing us the goods, especially with Gleeson inside him (so to speak)...

Excellent business. Am happy to see Gleeson at Wigan.

Lets just hope he doesnt go the same way as the rest. We have got a really bad success rate with buying top line british players. The difference here, hopefully, is he wants to play for his hometown club.

a team with Gleeson in it.

Worst Come Back Ever!

It is a bit strange because I am pretty sure IL was quoted at the fans forum as saying Wigan would not pay big transfer fees, end of. So that is why the fans got the impression Wigan would not do so, because he said it!

So when he says in the interview you can watch on the club web site the fans got it wrong Wigan would not pay fees, he has a short memory.

He also says he views this transfer fee as spread over the three years so I am not sure what if any implication there is for other signings by that statement. I'd love to know who funded it the club or IL himself.

Dave