If we are looking at a returning player I’d prioritise McDonnel, he looks every bit a Wigan type player who could drop into that Isa role.

I’m thinking more about a loose forward Jon.

Don’t don’t think we need a 13 any time soon with the amount of middle forwards we currently have.

They are both off contact at the end of next season, it will be interesting to see what happens if Isa and Farrell call it a day within that timeframe. Personally, I don’t think we will make a move for either it is more likely that we extend the contracts of our younger players and look to promote from within.

According to the press we made a move for Tyler Offiah, Martin’s son, who had recently been playing for England U18s in the 15 man code however he has chosen to stay in Union with Bath.

I think they likely see him as a back up loose forward and that makes sense given Smithies and Shorrocks went through the door. His lack of size doesn't seem to impact him too heavily in terms of making ground but it's been tough for him to really make much of an impression due to a lack of minutes. He looks another Partington/Shorrocks type of forward in that to see what he really can do, you'd need him to be playing 70/80 minutes every week.

On a side note with him, the main area he clearly needs to work on is his discipline. I was staggered to see on the Superleague site that he is our most penalised player on 6 this season. He's made 3 appearances but has probably played less than 80 minutes in total (and maybe less than an hour off the top of my head) so that is pretty incredible.

According to Wiki he's 6' 1" and 15 1/2 stone. Not the biggest as you say. He does run it in above his weight though and he seems pretty mobile. I'd like to see him given longer minutes to see what he can do but, build wise at least, he does seem to suit the back row better.

Reading these comments I’m getting flashbacks to the posts from when we signed Isa.

Lack of size and pedigree and nobody was overly excited, some were bemused and none of us really saw where he fit in positionally.

I’m comfortable with him and his place in the squad at the moment.

He needs a bit of time and an opportunity to find his place.

He does remind me of a younger Isa playing with a smile on his face,full of energy and 100% commitment.

Inevitable's happened at Hull, Tony Smith gone. Wonder if Waney fancies another shot at club coaching

As a Hull FC fan I'd love Wane but I can't see it. Firstly I doubt the club can afford him and secondly, we seem such a basket case it's got to give any coach pause.

I think Wane would jump at the chance to completely rebuild the club. There's so much potential as a club, but needs a complete overhaul, starting with developing the right culture all the way through the organisation.

Hull can't afford to get the next coach wrong. They should essentially be saying to Wane, "what would it take for you to be the next coach?"

I think Wane would love the opportunity to build a club like Hull back up 'if' there was sufficient resources available to do the job properly but I'm not sure that is the case. I don't think Wane going to Hull would be good news for guys like Okunbor and Pele!

I wish somebody would come in to Hull FC and invest in the way the guys are doing at KR. The game needs Hull FC to be stronger than they are currently, that's for sure.

Didn't he price himself out of the Wire gig?

I'm personally just glad he's not gone to Leeds.

Wane comes across as a bit of a home bird and I cannot see him taking a job that would require him to relocate.

Unless they sort the ownership and ongoing financial issues it won't matter who goes there IMO

Haave to agree the club from the top down needs a huge rethink,Smith could have been the bloke to sort it out but no so back on the merry go round they go yet another coach will come and nothing will change.

Hasn't he talked about wanting to coach in the NRL before?

I think he would coach away from home, but only for the correct job opportunity and that is definitely not the Hull job



You would like to think he would be very comfortable in his current role at Wigan & England though, i can't say i am worried about him leaving and i would imagine he is well off the NRL radar unless he has some impressive wins vs. Australia as England coach.

I think it’s more people questioning him being a prop and maybe he’s better suited as a back rower due to his lack of size? Seems to have a great attitude and and a likeable bloke and in a salary capped sport you can’t have a squad full of stars so I’m happy to see where he goes but I feel he’s way too small to be a prop forward, although happy to be proven wrong.

I’m sure we had conversations about where Isa would play too, centre, second row or in most cases, including mine, nowhere near the first team. Glad Willie proved me wrong and to be honest he’s become one of my favorite Wigan players.

I am aware now that clubs tend to look at certain elements as being very important when looking to sign players often valued more than their current ability.

Character, athletic potential, attitude, coachability etc are placed high up as priorities particularly with project type signings. The view is that good coaches should be able to over time bring out the end result player.

I’m thinking he scores very highly in these supporting attributes which is why we moved for him and we are backing our system to produce a top quality utility forward covering all positions in the pack with the exception of 9.

I’ve been happy with Chan, discipline aside. We’ve got enough size elsewhere to have a smaller guy, who is full of energy and aggression. He makes ground easy enough with the ball from what I’ve seen.

The energy he brings just around training can’t be underestimated. He seems a real character, very popular and just the sort of lad who will have a smile on his face. This squad seem like brilliant lads, who are really professional and they’re a great team but I would say there is a place for one or two characters.

We've had loads of lads who were apparently "undersized" when they 1st game through. I remember people saying it about Hansen, Lockers and Hock.

Give the lad sometime.

Bateman has carved out a tip class career by being undersized, as have many others .I guess it very much depends on the individual. Whilst my gut instinct still favours back row I am more than happy to see how it pans out. I mentioned previously from having spoken to him a couple of times that he has a very infectious character. I can imagine he brings plenty to the squad and is good to have around whatever his role.

Early signs but Chan seems to punch above his weight similar to what Bateman does. Just needs to make a position his own. Really think him, Walters and Nsemba would make a monstrous 2nd row rotation if they stay and reach their potential

Those came through into the team as kids, Chan is nearly 24.
I’m not writing him off, I’m just pointing out he is massively undersized for a prop and could be more suited to playing in the second row.