I see your point, but that policy has been quite effective at Saints recently, although of course it's only a short term policy (and at Saints may have run its course).

It's a delicate balancing act, certainly. And whichever way it's resolved, it'll probably one of those things that will always leave some sections of the fans unhappy.

The problem these days are the overseas quota, the salary cap, etc - which don't reward clubs who want to keep their overseas veterans as part of the furniture.

I'd love George to stay at Wigan, but having him sitting on the bench or popping in and out of the lower grade teams is no longer viable. I doubt he'd be happy that himself, given that he'd be on less money and has five kids to support. This would especially be the case if some other club came along and offered him a better deal.

As I said in another thread, I think we may need to brace ourselves for George's departure. He's definitely been an IL signing that really worked out for us.

Tickle and King from Hull to Celtic

No he didn't. Easing Hansen into the first team is something else Noble can't take credit for

as Hansen played 25 games for the club in 2005 before Noble got here. Raper eased him into the team with 6 appearances in 2004. He was already an established member of the first team squad when Noble arrived.

As to who would Noble come back for I think some of the names mentioned in this thread are rather strange.

Someone said Riddell. I thought Nobby wanted someone else but IL gave him Riddell instread? If so why would he want him and given the form Riddell showed this year I can'#t see why anyone would want him.

McIlorum was another name mentioned. I'd be very surprised if the new regime at the club let such a promising player go.

Goulding was another. Nobby seemed to use him as a bit of a scapegoat and drop him if we lost regardless of how he played and I never thought Noble rated him so why go for him? He's young player who I would have thought the new regime would want to assess before making a judgement one way or the other.

I think SW and MM would be reluctant to let any player go immediately until they have had to work with them for a few months. Clean slate for even the likes of Piggy is how I see them approaching it.

We haven't exactly got a lot of options to replace players in certain positions anyway.

Even Bailey was mentioned as having a new deal by SW on the radio interview the other week and he would have been a player I think Noble respects and who could do a job for a new outfit like Celtic but it seems he is staying.

Dave

IF he was getting paid via an offshore accuont then he wouldn't need to get £200K gross to make him the highest net paid player. His take home pay may end up the equivalent of someone in the UK getting £200K.

It is believed that Warrington do use offshore accounts to pay their overseas players and Wigan don't, so even if Warrington offerred less than Wigan, King wuold still take home more cash.

I assume Morley is the highest paid player at Warrington?

Believe its a mistake to re-sign Bailey. The risk of him coming back as our new DV who had the same injury is to great a risk in the salary cap era for someone his age.

The one thing he offers is experience and is one of the very few players who talk at the club.

But he shouldn’t have been resigned for that reason only. There are players at Wigan who have comparable or equal ability to him and play in the same positions as him and that’s before we look at the major injury he’s had.

I agree, I think Hansen/J Tomkins/Mossop interchanging at SR with Lockers at loose is fine for me. If we have injuries bring young farrell into the team, with Tuson and others looking to step up as well perhaps.

If we kept Bailey we'd have one of HH/JT/LM missing out every week and I think they are all good enough for first team action regularly.

Noble will be wanting experienced players to try and bring stability to Celtic.

I would envisage his signings being similar to his early days at Wigan - Withers, Millard, etc.

Carmont and possibly Bailey would be the only ones to move on a permanent basis.

Season-long loans for some of the younger players seem possible, but I wouldn't worry about losing any of the younger players, such as McIllorum, on a permanent basis

I don't know why people think that Nobby would be interested in taking our young starlets on loan, when he wasn't particularly interested in them while he was coach at Wigan.

I suppose a beggar can't be a chooser from his POV, but what about the young lads themselves - would they want to be back under the control of a man who, if the rumours are to be believed, wasn't in favour of using them before?

Rogues, you still hearing that HH might be bulking up fopr next year at prop?

I've not heard that.
I can see it happening to Mossop though in the next few years.

Mossop runs just as hard as any of the props now.IMO he should be bulking up for next season not in a few years

I said last season I would have Mossop a game or two at prop, mainly because of Fielden's dire form. I reckon:

2010: A few reserve games, plenty SL games at second row, maybe one or two at prop

2011: No reserve games, bench/starting second row all season with some game time at prop.

2012: Maybe a transition to prop here if Hock returns?? He'd be 23 and have about 60/70 games under his belt.

Of course that's a long way into the future but I'd definitely keep the bulk if I was him

If Hock returns i'd like to see us use him as a prop, after 2 years out hopefully he's beefed himself up a bit, and whilst he may have lost a bit of handling skill the step up to prop would allow him to just do what he does best, whilst not having to do 80 mins at 2nd row.

What Mossop needs more than anything else next year is a good prolonged run in the first team where can build up some rhythm to his game, he was in and out of the team so much last year even on the back of good form, for me another reason why we shouldn't resign Bailey.

You might be right, I'm just not sure that playing out of position would be the easiest way for him to return after so long away. I'm sure handling skills would return quickly in the off season. I reckon match fitness would be the bigger worry, as much as he'll be training now it's no substitute for playing in competitive games every week.

I'm sure even with Bailey in the team this year Mossop will get plenty games, injuries are very common at second row and none of the current second rowers are so established that they won't be dropped, unlike the first half of last year when we knew Hock would play every game he was fit for.

Let's say Lockers starts every game at 13 which he will do barring injury that leaves:

Hansen
Tomkins
Mossop
Farrel

Bailey?

Possibly five players trying to fit into two starting positions with one on the bench doesnt fit for me, especially when Farrel really should be getting first team experience. That's with out adding Tuscon into the mix as well.

He should be playing prop next year IMO. He needs to bulk up pre season. Hansen could also bulk up. I am sure Wane will get all our forwards running in with some passion instead of Fieldens lazy style.

Its a well known fact that cocaine users drastically lose weight.

have you any idea how hard it is to bulk up? In 6 months, not a chance. they have over a month off too

Rubbish, I've put 2 stone on since July, admitted, its not all muscle.........

You best get applyin for them trolley pushin jobs at Asda Roy!

That's cause you don't do anything at the gym Fordy.