Your not wrong however I think you harshy jumping on his back. Barrett often went "missing" in a Wigan shirt and people tend/choose to forget about that.

good shout

Which is why we need another half back when he leaves. TL doesn't have the ability to unlock defenses like Smith but we have signed him up again and if that means it's a TL & Sam half back partner ship for 2010 I think we will be back to struggling to score points and looking pretty clueless on attack.

Dave

We need a halfback for sure but he's got to be of the right quality and not just a cheap option.

If a player of the right calibre isn't available at halfback we have to get a huge pack for Tomkins and Leuluai to play on the back of because they'll need lots of space to play in.

Lenegan was quoted in the observer when we resigned TL as he has plans for him at 9 rather than in the halves.

Which suggests that Riddell isn't staying or that McIllorum is off out on loan. Good to know our chairman has yet more plans for players....

Smith has shown glimpses of quality for us, but we need him to do it in what is sure to be a tight game, that being the cup semi final.

Riddell spent his last season at Parramata rotating between 9 and the second row. Perhaps this is the plan? Not sure why need 3 players at 9. Unless TL is going to be at 7? OR perhaps it spells the end for Mac.

But we don't need another second row, Riddels capture smacks of bad recruitment to me, as does Roberts, there are gaps in our team, and last years recruitment didnt manage to plug them, hopefully the signings for 2010 will.

Lenagan seemed to release players last year before he's replaced them and then had to rush in and sign whoever they could just because they were available.

Originally Roberts was rumoured to be signing for 2010 but they brought that forward because they had the room and hadn't signed anybody else.

He needs to start getting things done quicker on all fronts including signings, sponsorship deals, new kits etc etc..................other teams seem to be able to have everything in place for the season after before their previous one finished so why not us!!!

Indeed Barrett did go missing but not in defence. It's almosty as if, when he loses it, he loses his bottle in defence to and is too scared to bend his back.

But Roberts as a signing didnt make much sense for 2010 either, unless the long term plan was for him to play fullback.

This is what concerns me, we always seem so slow off the mark and put ourselves behind the 8 ball.

Given comments made about the delays when our kits where finally released, we should be expecting news at any time about Mecca renewing or not which should see us have kits out in time - well depending if Kooga are still around next year given some rumours that were on the VT.

When did I post that?

Sometimes wonder if you actually read everyone else's posts.

You all wanted rid of him 3 months ago. Now his Wigans saviour ?

How fickle.

We all said he needed to sort his defence out. He had some time in the reserves and came back with a much improved defence. There was never any question about his attacking ability.

Name one poster on this thread who has called him our saviour?

You do like sweeping statements don't you! Still, it's always best not to let facts get in the way of a good cliche. Why not mention how we let all our good youngsters go next...or what about the Wigan walk...that's always good for taking a pop!

Why humour the prat? He patently hasn't got a clue, and, like most of them, the moment you prove him wrong, will simply disappear.

Saviour ?

No.

Just a player who plays one of the most important positions on the pitch.

Surely as somebody who watches the game you'd realize that, then again it doesn't seem as though your knowledge is up to scratch.

Well, he is a Saints fan so I guess he has an excuse.

I agree. Neither were required. Roberts more so than Riddell.

It doesn't say anything of the sort. You've got to try a lot harder on this board. We exercise quality control these days, and only tolerate a better class of troll.

You are a complete tool.

first ive read of smithy being back, fantastic news and shows his commitment to the wigan club. lets all get behind him on friday and show him how much he means to us!

What a great reason to sign a player (not)! I agree with AJ

the recruitment looked haphazard and not targeted at where the side needed strengthening.



In IL's defense I think they moved as fast as they could regarding sponsorship and shirts this time around. Maybe Jinkin Jimmy knows otherwise as he seems well up on these things but whatever, I think it is how IL handles these things next time around is the true test. I know they had already started on a new shirt for 2010 before this years was out.

Dave

You will feel better in a few hours !!!





Exactly. My worry is that if its as poor as last season we will end up with an even more unbalanced squad than this season. Going into next year with Sam/Tommy at halfback isn't an option I want to consider.



Which is fine as Kooga signed a deal, but what of Mecca which will affect the design as would any sponsor, not to mention Kooga's apparent troubles.