FLANAGAN INSPIRED BY AUSSIE OPPORTUNITY

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"I probably would have re-signed with Wigan if I had the chance but I wasn't getting a chance at the time and there wasn't much contact from them in terms of a new contract so I started to look elsewhere,"

Prior to his injury a 1 year deal would have been fully deserved, but at his age and our current strength in the backrow i personally think it would be a poor move.

It took Locky 2 years to recover from such an injury fully, Bailey has many more miles on the clock and sadly his age is against him, if we are turning down the chance to go for O'Meley because he has dodgey knees then the same surely applies to re-signing our own.

Personally I would give him a 1 year deal, I doubt he would reject given his injury status IMO.

You do have some very valid points but we could wait and see if a decent player becomes available, but if not and we get hit with lots of injuries mid-season then we would struggle with one less player.

I can't really blame Wigan for not rushing into an extended contract for a backrow forward at the age of 21 that hadn't cracked the first team and hadn't(from what i read) looked anything overly amazing in the u21's(he believe he has been good for the reserves but not a real standout like Sam was).

We also had more options in that backrow at the time with Hock playing and Bailey fit so it's not really something we can blame Wigan for.

He's taken to the first team like a duck to water which has been great to see and hopefully he can take that confidence with him to Australia and have a good dig over there.

His exit should hopefully give Liam Farrell a crack who when i've seen him looks an even better player and a really exciting prospect.

They already did in Isa Soliola

he's supposed to be a replacement for lyon, on field and cap-wise, alledgedly

He said on GMR on friday we wont be signing anyone.

Which makes the choice of coach even more critical.

Next season

Smith
Hock
Bailey (probably)

will be off the cap compared to this season. Even with upgrades for the likes of Sam T and other youngsters I'm struggling to see us not having space, which begs the question - why is Lenagan saying we will not be signing anyone, especially given the obvious gaps in a couple of key positions?

He wants the club to make a profit?

I' sure any saving on cap save will be more than offset by a reduction in gate monies if we go with what's we've got.

Surley IL will have to spend money to make money?
Trophies = bigger crowds, shirt sales, merchandise... Ect

Perhaps IL is pretty certain he'll get McGuire as coach.
If so they will have discussed the squad in depth by now. It may be McGuire has said he'd prefer to go with what we've got rather than bring in players on 3 year deals who he very soon may not want in his squad.
The win/loss ratio in the 2nd half of the season has been good and if a new coach can get us off to a good start then next season a top four finish could well be possible.

i can see your point but it does save on signing on fees etc i suppose.

I think he will save any space to maybe pull another Gleeson out of the bag.

Its better to see who the new coach wants really.

Bailey will be staying though.

I'm fine with Bailey staying for one more season as long as it's only that, and if it is only a 1 year deal that point's to me once again that 2011 will be a big recruitment season.

It looks as though 2010 will be a big year for sorting out the coaching staff and 2011 will have a similar feel but this time will be focused on sorting out the playing squad.
Who knows by 2015 we may be ready to win something

Woah steady on now don't get too ahead of yourself!

I think 2035 is more realistic

Sorry to rain on your parade, but that's the year of the Wolf.

BTW: Is Carmont staying?, has anything been annouced?

Nothings been announced about Carmont, Bailey or Pryce but its more or less known that they are all staying.... next year will be exactly the same:

1. Phelps
2. Roberts
3. Gleeson
4. Carmont
5. Richards
6. Tomkins
7. Leuluai
8. Fielden
9. Riddell
10. Paleaaesina
11. Hansen
12. Bailey
13. O'Loughlin

14. Tomkins
15. Coley
16. Prescott
17. McIlorum
18. Fans (but a lot less if the playoffs are anything to go by

)
19. Mossop
20. Pryce
21. Ainscough
22. Goulding
23. O'Carroll
24. Farrell

Quote ="Mother Feka"Nothings been announced about Carmont, Bailey or Pryce but its more or less known that they are all staying.... next year will be exactly the same: 1. Phelps 2. Roberts 3. Gleeson 4. Carmont 5. Richards 6. Tomkins 7. Leuluai 8. Fielden 9. Riddell 10. Paleaaesina 11. Hansen 12. Bailey 13. O'Loughlin 14. Tomkins 15. Coley 16. Prescott 17. McIlorum 18. Fans (but a lot less if the playoffs are anything to go by ) 19. Mossop 20. Pryce 21. Ainscough 22. Goulding 23. O'Carroll 24. Farrell'" I am sure Pryce has signed a deal for next year and thought Carmont had too, if not we MUST be in talks with a centre. Not really heard too much that convinces me Bailey will be hear next year but not heard too much against it either. Pryce confirmed. www.wigantoday.net/warriors/Nobb ... 5395371.jp Not Carmont yet though. www.wigantoday.net/warriors/Geor ... 5671172.jp

Quote ="Mother Feka"Nothings been announced about Carmont, Bailey or Pryce but its more or less known that they are all staying.... next year will be exactly the same: 1. Phelps 2. Roberts 3. Gleeson 4. Carmont 5. Richards 6. Tomkins 7. Leuluai 8. Fielden 9. Riddell 10. Paleaaesina 11. Hansen 12. Bailey 13. O'Loughlin 14. Tomkins 15. Coley 16. Prescott 17. McIlorum 18. Fans (but a lot less if the playoffs are anything to go by ) 19. Mossop 20. Pryce 21. Ainscough 22. Goulding 23. O'Carroll 24. Farrell'" I am sure Pryce has signed a deal for next year and thought Carmont had too, if not we MUST be in talks with a centre. Not really heard too much that convinces me Bailey will be hear next year but not heard too much against it either. Pryce confirmed. www.wigantoday.net/warriors/Nobb ... 5395371.jp Not Carmont yet though. www.wigantoday.net/warriors/Geor ... 5671172.jp

There are a LOT of top class aussies comming off contract at the end of the next season. I would imagine wigan would pick up one or two

Whats peoples opinion about taking a risk with Jason Cayless ?

With his injury Record this season i doubt he would cost a huge sum..Maybe a short contract just to see if he can regain his full fitness

Just a thought so be gentle

When he signed, he was without doubt one of the top 5 props in the world. However, his injury record is a nightmare and it would take him a good few months to get up to speed (if he can stay injury free).

Wigan do a lot better imo

He will be back playing but i would expect it not till be 2011,not worth a punt now. Great player on his day but needs time to get over as best he can all his injury problems.