What a strange post, both love and hate all rolled into one
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Should a 18-20 year old be playing a full season, he's still developing as a man/player ... He will get the best possible path for his development at Wigan.

Unless the U19 rules change (which I wish they would) some players are going be idle for too long unless there is some really good well planned squad rotation.

I think one of the easier ones is Burke and Lockers. Lockers is our eldest back row and has struggled a bit with injury this year so it would make sense to protect our best player by giving Burke plenty of game time.

What is hard to see is who of the incoming players is going to be good enough displace H and Faz in the 2nd row. H at 28 is hardly old and is in fact reaching his peak and offers the kind of experience the younger players need on the pitch. He was also outstanding in both finals particularly the GF. Faz at 23 also had an excellent season. Both automatic choices for a first team slot. The bench slot is going to be very precious.

I think he has shoulders made of biscuit similar to Mossop so expect him to miss a few games, I can't remember the last game he played for Bradford due to his injuries

LENAGAN OUT!

Looks like he has shelved plans for the new yacht......

Should he play a full season at that age? Well the jury's out on how useful in developing a player extended exposure to first team can be. Should he be available for a full season? That's a yes, but his biscuit bones have so far conspired to prevent his selection as a reliable player. He seems to start building momentum then gets crocked.

Like I say, if you keep him fit he might fullfill his potential, but it's a big if.
Also, he's a bit quick to run his mouth on social media sites so expect the occasional tantrum when he realises how far down the pecking order he drops as I think Wigan have better forwards already than Bateman and he'll have to pull his finger out to get noticed. Mind you, that might be good for him as he's had it a bit easy at Bradford.

Is this planning for Hansens departure in 12 months?
Testimonial then big cash move elsewhere(Salford maybe?)

I agree with Roofaldo he needs to be educated in social media and PR, To be honest i agree with the Fundamentals of the EDL (as in extremism in religion has no place in the uk) but wouldn't support them because of there supporters and how they carry them selves in public, also he comes across as young and naive, hopefully he takes a shinning to O'loughlin and he can mentor him.

Cracking signing. My only slight concern is the size of our younger backrowers, once O'Loughlin and Hansen move on a back 3 combo from Farrell, Bateman, Hughes, Burke, Lloyd could be lacking abit of weight.

hughes, burke and bateman take on well above their weight, big season for hughes he has a massive frame and a lot of muscle for his age and burke resembles a silverback small in height but huge in body from. also you could add Ben flower to the back row depending on how the props go this season.

but we also have a number of front rowers able to move into the back row. Clubb, Pettybourne, Hopkins, Flower, Dudson and Crosby are all well capable to playing there as well. Our pack is very mobile which will allow Want to work out who is best to move into the back row on a long term basis with a huge number of options.

Slightly off topic.

It's strange that two of the best young backrow forwards Bateman and Stevie Ward have both had major injuries at the start of their careers.

Were they overplayed too soon?

Look at the difference in how Liam Farrell was blooded.

Good point, look at the injuries Sam Burgess has had also, being a regular SL then NRL player since he was 17.

Probably planning for the move but it won't be big money as he's out of contract at the of 2014.

John used to be on the Wigan Warriors Scholarship, he was an outstanding prospect. The travelling got too much for his Grandad (who was a top bloke), he therefore returned to Bradford. Great to see him back, was always very tough in training and loved it at Wigan.

A word of warning to any wigan fan who uses twitter . If you would like coherent intelligent tweets don't add Bateman. He tweets like a 14 year old. Truly awful.

Couldn't give a about his grammar problems as long as he performs well on the field

Rugby League player in May not be the most academically intelligent shocker!

The fact is, he will be given more guidance at Wigan, his social media activity will be monitored and he will come into a more disciplined environment.

A player of his potential should thrive in that environment.

No offence, but I imagine Bradford's medical set up to consist of a massage table and a cold sponge in an unheated Portakabin in the middle of a field somewhere, the premier club in the British game has the facilities and know-how to nurture him properly. He'll thrive in our set up.

If he was paid for tweeting I would be worried. As I understand it he is going to be paid for playing Rugby League and that is something he is very good at.

Oh btw as part of his induction at Wigan media training will also included.

If Eddie P ends up a prop as now seem more likely Flower in the back row makes sense if H is out. I really rate Hughes (as a forward) and Burke as they look naturals to me. The kind of players even though young you can just tell they have the ability. I felt the same way about H, Hock, Lockers and Joel T (which is why I was gutted he left!).

Oh dear, I believe you would be classed as s typical Wigan fan

Oh very droll. 2 points to make here . 1 it's well regarded in the English rugby league world that Bradford Bulls training facilities at Tong is one of the best in super league. Also there medical staff has people in roles that no other super league team has.

2 point the Wigan team Doctor is from Bradford and was brought over from when Brian Noble came in to save you from finishing bottom of the league.

I'm sure I heard/read somewhere that they were changing - might have been from one of the pundits on "back chat" a while back?

You probably also believe the moon is made of green cheese. And that wouldn't bother us either.