They better not try and pass him off as a marquee signing!

If you have an issue with what I posted I don't know why you bother either.

I'd bet my house if I said you to you a month or two ago we should bring James out of retirement you's have said I was an idiot.

I would have been to.

Nothing has changed, [uin my opinion[/u.

Your problem with that is what exactly? Which top class players have we signed with all the money raised by selling him and anyone else?



He may well inherit H's shirt but who is the better player?

Who on this message board was advocating we replace H with Clubb before it happened?

No one.

Last season there were even threads on here e.g. one started by Rouges for example, singing H's praises.

Now H has left it's a master plan.

No it's not, it is hypocrisy.

Jordan James is going to be, what? Our 6th or 7th choice prop hardly desperation just another big body. We won a playoff game last year starting Andy Powell, I think we'll be alright with James.


Well last year we paid for Green and Taylor and that worked out pretty well. This year we've paid for Clubb, Bateman and I think Sarginson. If they don't work out fair enough but they've all been internationals at various levels and the later two started out well. Presumably we have money should anyone else require a fee, we don't have to spend it straight away.

Just because people on here don't think these players are going to be as good as the ones they're replacing or wouldn't have wanted them before they were signed doesn't mean the coaching staff don't know what they're doing. Have we not learned from the Finch and Leuluai for Green and Smith swap. We got two half backs who might not look as good on paper from unfashionable teams but they complement each other and have particular skills the previous players don't, which made us a better team. While it is concerning to lose players of Hansen's experience, not to mention all the others we've lost, he was never the best in attack. In the last 4 years Hansen has scored 3, 5, 3 and 1 tries whereas the other second row (JT, RH, GH, LF) has scored 13, 10, 11 and 12. That's not to mention clean breaks, try assists or just meters made carrying the ball. I think Clubb or Bateman could step up and offer much more attacking threat and work and still be solid in defence if not necessarily as good as Hansen possibly meaning we're more complete and dangerous overall.

Obviously the the club could've got it completely wrong and none of the new players will hold a candle to Hansen but after the last couple of years and the play from people like Flower, Smith, Green and Taylor and the results in big games last year I'm willing to give them a chance. Rather than saying 'that sounds daft to me, they've cocked up' I'll give the people privy to far more information with proven track records a chance before I light my torch, grab my pitch fork and take to the streets.

I really thought that after last year people might have learnt to at least let things play out. I'm not saying don't question the club, I just find it strange that some people continually make out as if they're making massive cock ups when we continue to win, finish high up the table and collect trophies.

Give James a chance? Trust SW and IL?

No. We must burn them. Burn them all!

On a more serious note, I think we have recruited well generally. James just looks like a back up experienced squad player. He clearly isn't going to be a central figure in the team but his experience will come in useful at times next year. We have a young pack, so this makes sense to me, especially as I imagine he isn't taking up much cap space.

I'd hardly call Powell an experienced prop. Compared to him James' signing is a master stroke. However, what interests me the most is watching those who slated you re the Powell signing doing the same thing here, having conveniently forgotten how they told us all what an enforcer Powell was going to be. Having someone like you on here Dave makes it easy for them. They can forget the rubbish they posted back then and focus on you for having the temerity to voice a contrary opinion.

It would be more impressive if it wasn't always the same opinion, i.e. the club's made another massive mistake.

I bet other fans wished their clubs made as many mistakes as ours.

Undoubtably. We get way more right than wrong but Dave cops it for always having the same opinion whereas those who always hold a contrary opinion are safe in the mob. I'm just adding a much needed element of perspective IMO.

and so continues the world of wigan warriors where everything is black or white.

in reality eric was a decent prop who did an OK job, and was nowhere near as bad as the doom mongers would have had us believe. he was never going to be a 'marquee signing', but he did a job in a team that did the double last year. but hey, in the current climate people are only ever allowed to be brilliant or shiiiite. apparently there is no room anymore for balance.

the Andy Powell situation is a shame. he showed glimpses in his short tenure that IF he had put in the required effort, he could have been a real impact player, adding a dimension that has been missing from our game for a while. the fact that he has the mental fortitude and self-control of a teenager still, is a real shame. the Club took a gamble and has cut its losses as soon as the situation become apparent that it was not winnable. what is wrong with that ???? In reality AP has lost more than us on this, and RL benefited from the column inches when he signed. His departure will hardly make any news.

I would rather have a chair and manager that are prepared to take sensible, controlled gambles and re-assess when appropriate, than the policies that were followed pre-IL, when we either threw the kitchen sink at a few highly paid players with no depth to complement them, or brought in huge numbers of absurd 2nd raters who stopped our own youngsters from getting a game.

Sport management is NOT an exact science, but the current management team have as good a record as anyone else in SL.

I don't totally disagree with him on the James signing. On paper it's hardly impressive, but let's be honest - the guy's come as an experienced back-up, and nothing more. And is probably on peanuts. It doesn't mean we won't bring a bigger name in if one comes available.

It's not even an especially new thing. The all-star Wigan team of the late '80s signed back-up players like Mickey Dean and Steve Nicholson, who were complete unknowns and were never likely to figure very much, and it didn't cause a ripple because people recognised those signings for what they were. We ought to view it in that light instead of automatically assuming it's an error of judgement (which is what Dave appears to do).

1. Where have I mentioned Eric?
2. Read my subsequent response to Cruncher on this very thread.
3. I agree about the "black and white" bit, but probably not in the way you do.

I agree Dave is wrong about James. He was right about Powell though.

Even a broken watch is accurate at some point twice a day!

More's the pity. If nothing else, I thought Powell looked the part.

of course he's a super star, he's been on 'take me out'

There seems to be an awful lot of debate on what is quite clearly a squad signing...especially as he showed up well in the world cup and is hardly going to break the bank! Seems like a reasonable piece of business to me.

As long as he does better than the last time he played for us.

I wouldn't go as far as desperation but I can see what you're getting at, did SW panic and bring in the first available prop? Maybe. Maybe not. His judgement hasn't been far wrong in the past few seasons so I think he's earned the right to be trusted.

Regarding Hansen I think he left as we do have sufficient cover in the back row department (plus a mega money offer from $alford) but having said that in an ideal world he would still be a Wigan player.

Staying til the end with all lights still on may I add.

he choice wouldn't of been the one i would of chose tho.

I remember thinking at the time "Thaz'ad a shocker there lad"

I thought he was very solid for us under Millward - he may not of been the most creative player in the world but thats not why we signed him then and its not why we have signed him now.

A grafter who will give 100% and knows how to conduct himself both on and off the field.

Good enough or not , good luck to him !

The signing can't be desperation as there's nothing to be desperate about is there? Last time I looked we were double champions!!!

We've sold Mossop and recruited Pettybourne. Obviously the jury is out but right now no-one is complaining. We've lost Powell and Lauaki. Ok so Eric wasn't the worlds worst prop but he'd be no more than sixth choice. Powell on the other hand was a disaster. Correctly predicted by some. I wanted him to be given a chance and most fans were supportive. But he was a disaster. His defence being the worst of any forward I can remember. Though he showed some promise in attack to be fair. Now James couldn't possibly be worse. His performances for Wales were solid. Wane and Harris know a lot about him and I reckon they'll know he won't let us down on or off the pitch.