It'll be great to finally have a man on the inside rather than all this 'throwing packages over the fence' palaver.

Does he need to be a 'great person' to be a great coach?

it helps imo

Yes I have. It was one of the funniest books I have ever read.

I disagree.

Tomkins to Sydney Roosters??

Surprisingly pleased with all this. Lenegan is a genius, knows how to run a club perfectly to the spot.

Long - only heard good things about his coaching technique
Powell - experienced big game prop, time will tell whether he will take to rugby league but prop isnt the most complicated position! looking forward to see him play.
Farrell - 5 years superb. I think he will be another Sean O'Loughlin and be at Wigan his whole career.
Mossop - good luck to him in Aus, can only see him coming back a better player, just hope his injurys dont plague him over there!
Hock - made up that he has gone to NRL, just glad he wont be playing against us! He will kill it over there IMO.

Ian Lenagan believes that Wigan can lure one player from Union every year.


IL acknowledges the lure of the NRL and has decided to work with players and clubs to find the best outcome. Wigan have met Mossop halfway in letting him join the Eels - for a six figure sum - and will have him back on a fixed contract in 2016 and 2017. Some players will leave for the NRL, Wigan are planning for it and 50% will return.

Gareth will be flying via Bangkok.

No.

Excellent news on Faz presuming the club (and player) really want to honour the contract.

Making the the best of a bad situation with Mossop. We get some cash and he [imay[/i come back.

Hock was finished here anyway so to get a fee is a good deal (though what good the money is since we have such a low salary cap remains to be seen).

Powell and Long? Ludicrous signings the pair of them.

Powell is 31 and we don't need to be signing players of that age never mind ex-Ru players.

As to Long, his off-field antics are well documented. Why on earth any young player would respect him as a coach God knows and ditto why any parent would pick to send their son to a team coached by him given a choice.

So wiagn have first dibs on them when? When their contract with Paramatta runs out (whether its two or 3 years), or when they return to the UK? What if they want to stay at paramatta longer, or if they want to move to another NRL club?

Wigan have first refusal, should they want to return to the UK.

Lenagan is very good at getting the most out of a poor situation. We didn't want to lose Mossop or Hock but we've got cash and options to sign these players back in return. We've also softened the blow by signing this seasons best player to a five year deal (although to be fair it could be a 500 year deal as we've seen they mean little) as well as bringing in a new player from Union.

In truth today probably isn't a great day for Wigan or rugby league in the UK but Ian Lenagan manages to make it all feel pretty positive.

We won't see them back at Wigan again if they chose to do that. This is clear from the press release.

Too much being made already of Mossop's return as if it is a done deal.

Hock- Good riddance.

Faz- Excellent, him and Charnley signed up long-term is essential if we want to build w/o Sam.

Powell- "Oh yes, I watch all his games, he's brilliant... " I don't have a clue why we've done this but Wane obviously sees something special to take the risk. Looking at his build, battered face and blonde locks he could be our Crabtree?

Moose- Suprised they wanted him at a fee. Shoulder problems aside I've been more impressed with Crosby this season than Mossop over the last year. However Mossop on top form is a big loss. Hope the Bradford game was an indication of his desire and not just a show for the scout.

Long- Chatted with his ex a few weeks back- apparently old habits die hard. Or actually old habits haven't died at all and they're worse than ever. It's great writing a book about your indiscretions when you've matured/reformed but... We'll see. Salford's attacking game is far beyond their players so perhaps he's got something to add.

Well at least you can see through the spin. Don't get me wrong signing Faz is excellent but as you said yourself the contract could be 5 or 500 years for all they seem to be worth. Everything else is making the best of a bad job and God knows why we signed Powell or Long.

Also, don't forget that we let him go (Westy?) all those years ago, after being "an outstanding prospect"
... I presume on the field, but what about off??
OK, he was nowt but a sprog then, and has 'grown up' according to many...

but Leopards and spots spring to mind.

Long in - preparing for someone out?

www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... owell-deal A bit more info

www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... owell-deal A bit more info

I posted on here last week that long had signed (quickly dismissed by most as per usual) initially as an acadamy coach with a more senior role next season, but I also heard that there was going to be a shake up of the coaching setup with Harris being the most likely to leave. I'm not sure if this is a result of long coming in or if this is why long has come in if you get me??

Wow!! only in Wigan. One of the worst books I have ever read in my life!

Spin? Not sure it';s as polished as that..............


You have to laugh.

"Wigan will get 6 figure sums for them" - And? What are we going to do with these six figure sums? The cap means that spending the money on players is pointless. The money will presumably go straight into the pocket of IL?


Reality is that what has actually been announced today is

1. We have lost another player to the NRL (Hock was never going to come back with Wane in charge)
2. We have brought in a coach (whoopie do)
3. We have brought in an ageing ex RU forward (who actually could do rather well for us imo- it's a pity it wasn't 5 years ago but hey, that's the CC for you, but it's a gamble)
4. We have extended a contracted player (but we all know contracts are not worth the paper they are written on- see point 1)


So all in all pretty average news, edging towards the "not good".

Good job you dont support Saints, you would be on suicide watch!

Wigan pie man obviously knows more about recruiting coaching staff than Ian lenegan and rads.

Long will be a great addition.

The mossop deal is excellent business.

Time will tell on Powell

The Farrell deal is brilliant

Well done Wigan