Re: Willie Isa 1 year deal : Thu Sep 14, 2023 2:37 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I think it's the form of Nsemba these past few weeks that confirms it as a good re-signing for me. When he first came in, I thought he did really well but in my mind I thought that he was really raw and would still only see him playing 5-10 games in 2024. This past few weeks has seen him take a number of steps forward, to the point where you could see him being heavily involved in 2024 and a move that jeopardises that could actually hurt us longer term. We cannot risk another Matty Nicholson style exit because a team elsewhere decides to offer him a load of cash and a starting spot. It's a balancing act but one I think we've got right here.

Plus also remember seeing an interview were Nsemba name checked Willie as someone to look up to and who inspired him.

Re: Willie Isa 1 year deal : Thu Sep 14, 2023 2:58 pm  

Finally some news on this forum that doesn’t feel like stomach churning progress. Excellent.

Re: Willie Isa 1 year deal : Thu Sep 14, 2023 3:11 pm  

I understand the need for experience in a young squad but I must admit I was hoping that we may have acquired an experienced nrl backrow forward.
I can see and acknowledge the merits of Isa but in total for me they are offset by a lack of any attacking attributes.

If as someone has suggested that he might not count as a quota player in 2024 then I would be happy with the extension otherwise I’m a little non plussed with the announcement.

Re: Willie Isa 1 year deal : Thu Sep 14, 2023 3:18 pm  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

I understand the need for experience in a young squad but I must admit I was hoping that we may have acquired an experienced nrl backrow forward.
I can see and acknowledge the merits of Isa but in total for me they are offset by a lack of any attacking attributes.

If as someone has suggested that he might not count as a quota player in 2024 then I would be happy with the extension otherwise I’m a little non plussed with the announcement.

I still wouldn’t be sure it totally rules it out. I think they want Isa to bring leadership and experience and that’s understandable. A lot will depend on where they see Walters playing. If it’s in the middle, they might want one more option in the back row and if it’s in the back row, I think they might still want another prop. It certainly doesn’t feel like money (other than cap space) will be an issue and it may now be as simple as Mago stays or somebody else comes in.

Re: Willie Isa 1 year deal : Thu Sep 14, 2023 3:30 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I still wouldn’t be sure it totally rules it out. I think they want Isa to bring leadership and experience and that’s understandable. A lot will depend on where they see Walters playing. If it’s in the middle, they might want one more option in the back row and if it’s in the back row, I think they might still want another prop. It certainly doesn’t feel like money (other than cap space) will be an issue and it may now be as simple as Mago stays or somebody else comes in.

I believe Mago has been offered a one year deal so if true and he accepts it then means all quota slots have gone unless Isa is excluded from 2024.
I fully understand what Isa brings and personally I like his total commitment to the club however, his lack of size, pace and ball handling skills means that he brings very little to our attack. I’m not anti Isa but I was hoping we would significantly improve our back row in 2024.

Re: Willie Isa 1 year deal : Thu Sep 14, 2023 4:03 pm  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

I believe Mago has been offered a one year deal so if true and he accepts it then means all quota slots have gone unless Isa is excluded from 2024.
I fully understand what Isa brings and personally I like his total commitment to the club however, his lack of size, pace and ball handling skills means that he brings very little to our attack. I’m not anti Isa but I was hoping we would significantly improve our back row in 2024.

I get it, I really do. I think in time we can improve the position but I do feel the need for that leadership and experience is pretty important for us next year, especially if somebody like Sam Powell is off. If we could get a guaranteed hit from the NRL, one who is experienced and brings leadership, that would’ve been ideal but there doesn’t look many options knocking about
(Not on the off contract list anyway).

If we do sign Mago back on, I can live with it. I look at how we’re going now and losing King and KPP is a blow but Keighran and Walters replace them. I think Leeming is an upgrade on Powell and Chan adds an extra option. We can add Cooper, Havard and Isa back in to a side, that is flying at the minute (obviously Dupree has already been brought in). Nsemba looks outstanding and Hill will be all the better for his games this year. There will be good competition for places in the forwards. Guys like Byrne, Havard, Smithies and O’Neill will be another year on in their development also, so I think we’re in a really healthy place regardless.

Re: Willie Isa 1 year deal : Thu Sep 14, 2023 4:57 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I get it, I really do. I think in time we can improve the position but I do feel the need for that leadership and experience is pretty important for us next year, especially if somebody like Sam Powell is off. If we could get a guaranteed hit from the NRL, one who is experienced and brings leadership, that would’ve been ideal but there doesn’t look many options knocking about
(Not on the off contract list anyway).

If we do sign Mago back on, I can live with it. I look at how we’re going now and losing King and KPP is a blow but Keighran and Walters replace them. I think Leeming is an upgrade on Powell and Chan adds an extra option. We can add Cooper, Havard and Isa back in to a side, that is flying at the minute (obviously Dupree has already been brought in). Nsemba looks outstanding and Hill will be all the better for his games this year. There will be good competition for places in the forwards. Guys like Byrne, Havard, Smithies and O’Neill will be another year on in their development also, so I think we’re in a really healthy place regardless.

I’m a bit of a lone voice but I’m slightly underwhelmed by the changes so far in 2024.
King out Keighran in. No major improvement.
KPP out Walters in. No major improvement.
To cover the exits is good but I want improvements on where we are not just to stand still.
Leeming in. Currently I don’t understand this signing.
Chan could be anything.

I totally agree about another year in our young guys but if for instance Isa is in the starting 13 most weeks then I just don’t see any real significant improvement in our forwards where I still think we are somewhat short of a really good pack. Mago has improved but from such a low bar it wasn’t particularly difficult and will anyone be surprised if he goes back to being an ineffective 15 minutes per game passenger?
I know I will sound like a moaner but when I look at the net impact I just see standing still.

Re: Willie Isa 1 year deal : Thu Sep 14, 2023 5:34 pm  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

I’m a bit of a lone voice but I’m slightly underwhelmed by the changes so far in 2024.
King out Keighran in. No major improvement.
KPP out Walters in. No major improvement.
To cover the exits is good but I want improvements on where we are not just to stand still.
Leeming in. Currently I don’t understand this signing.
Chan could be anything.

I totally agree about another year in our young guys but if for instance Isa is in the starting 13 most weeks then I just don’t see any real significant improvement in our forwards where I still think we are somewhat short of a really good pack. Mago has improved but from such a low bar it wasn’t particularly difficult and will anyone be surprised if he goes back to being an ineffective 15 minutes per game passenger?
I know I will sound like a moaner but when I look at the net impact I just see standing still.

Again, I can get where you’re coming from with all that and maybe it’s just the current run giving a feel good factor but I’m happy with how things are shaping up. A young squad means there is so much room for current players to keep improving. I think we’ll see French far more comfortable at 6 as well. A starting 4 prop rotation of Byrne, Havard, Ellis and Dupree looks strong, with Cooper to come back in and Mago, Chan and Hill in the wings. We’ve got two good hookers IMO and a nice balance between both, 2 experienced second rowers and 2 potentially top class young ones and Smithies gets better and better at 13.


There is still potential for us signing a player not on quota. We paid cash for Dupree and if they’ve got cap space and see a realistic British player, there’s no saying Danson won’t say ‘go for it’.

Re: Willie Isa 1 year deal : Thu Sep 14, 2023 6:10 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Again, I can get where you’re coming from with all that and maybe it’s just the current run giving a feel good factor but I’m happy with how things are shaping up. A young squad means there is so much room for current players to keep improving. I think we’ll see French far more comfortable at 6 as well. A starting 4 prop rotation of Byrne, Havard, Ellis and Dupree looks strong, with Cooper to come back in and Mago, Chan and Hill in the wings. We’ve got two good hookers IMO and a nice balance between both, 2 experienced second rowers and 2 potentially top class young ones and Smithies gets better and better at 13.


There is still potential for us signing a player not on quota. We paid cash for Dupree and if they’ve got cap space and see a realistic British player, there’s no saying Danson won’t say ‘go for it’.

I spoke to someone from the management team last week and he was suggesting that there won’t be another signing for 2024. Since that conversation the rumours about Farrell have grown so maybe his signing will be the cherry on top of the cake.
As you say there is a feel good factor at the moment but we are far far removed from being a really good team and I was expecting new signings to significantly improve the standard of the team. I’m looking for us to be the dominant team for the next few years and the current 2024 squad doesn’t look like it is capable of delivering silverware on an annual basis. People have forgotten our two 40 point drubbings, loss to Wakefield and a dismal CCSF defeat. I’m enjoying our current form but I’m conscious that a poor display could be just around the corner. Re French he’s still a rookie HB and it will be interesting how he goes in the playoffs when the intensity of games will increase several fold versus current games.
Maybe my expectations are too high or maybe I’m totally underestimating the current squad. We will find out by October if the current squad is the real deal.

Re: Willie Isa 1 year deal : Thu Sep 14, 2023 7:18 pm  

I will never understand why Wigan fans want to sign Owen Farrell, same as I could never fathom the desperation to have Shaun Edwards coaching you.

It's all very Warrington.