Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 15, 2013 12:34 am  

Pemps wrote:

Depends on the team that Salford are building. If they spend the full cap there's no reason they can't challenge for honours.

I'm not convinced the cap spend is all that relevant to a team's performance, overall. London, Saints and Hull are reportedly spending the full cap, and HKR close to it, but it's not doing them all that much good.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 15, 2013 5:48 am  

Geoff wrote:

I'm not convinced the cap spend is all that relevant to a team's performance, overall. London, Saints and Hull are reportedly spending the full cap, and HKR close to it, but it's not doing them all that much good.

I think we are well under the cap at FC, we had some space on there for Prince and have now lost Seymour, Miller as a replacement will not match both of these (perhaps not even one of them). We also pushed you guys close with over 25% of our cap sat in the stands

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 15, 2013 9:55 am  

smudgersmith wrote:

I think we are well under the cap at FC, we had some space on there for Prince and have now lost Seymour, Miller as a replacement will not match both of these (perhaps not even one of them). We also pushed you guys close with over 25% of our cap sat in the stands

I wasn't meaning my previous post as a dig at any of the clubs I mentioned, but in a way that supports my point; the cap value of the 17 on the pitch doesn't correlate particularly closely to a team's performance - look at our early season results with so many highly paid players out, for example.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 15, 2013 10:01 am  

smudgersmith wrote:

I think we are well under the cap at FC, we had some space on there for Prince and have now lost Seymour, Miller as a replacement will not match both of these (perhaps not even one of them). We also pushed you guys close with over 25% of our cap sat in the stands

Definately a decent performance by your lot, and with Holdsworth and Ellis to add plus a bit of luck with injuries, suspensions and ref calls, could be a real threat in the second half of the season. Looking forward to the Magic game and hope you stuff KR, as they are becoming my least favourite team (worst ground/one eyed fans)

[DaveO]

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 15, 2013 4:21 pm  

Aboveusonlypie wrote:

IL isn't intent on selling him at all he is just facing reality. Most fans cannot see past their own side, but for these guys its a living. What do Andy Farrell, Jason Robinson, Ellery Hanley and Sean Edwards have in common?

Answer; none of them played exclusively for Wigan.

Surely the current rumours are based on the idea IL is intent on selling him earlier than he needs to?

He got him to sign the 3 year clause and a five year contract which made Sam the best paid player at Wigan (apparently) and probably in the entire SL. He isn't being held back financially and even if he was Sam could not instigate a move now.

The issue is, as I said, the rumour IL is instigating it for next season.

I also don't see any "reality" here in that I can see no reason why Wigan would need to sell him so soon. Wigan will still command huge fee if he goes after three years as he is still contract to the club until 2016 and the club doesn't need the money anyway so I don't see any priority reason to sell him.

The likes of Sean O'Loughlin are indeed few and far between, and that's a pity but when a player looks back over a career they may regret not trying out against the best wherever that happens to be at the time.

You are putting thoughts into his head there and IMO it does not follow there is this in built compulsion to move on in every player and neither should they be thought less of nor think less of themselves if they don't. There are probably just as many players who regret leaving their clubs as those who wish they had.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed May 15, 2013 5:05 pm  

DaveO wrote:

Surely the current rumours are based on the idea IL is intent on selling him earlier than he needs to?

He got him to sign the 3 year clause and a five year contract which made Sam the best paid player at Wigan (apparently) and probably in the entire SL. He isn't being held back financially and even if he was Sam could not instigate a move now.
The issue is, as I said, the rumour IL is instigating it for next season.

I also don't see any "reality" here in that I can see no reason why Wigan would need to sell him so soon. Wigan will still command huge fee if he goes after three years as he is still contract to the club until 2016 and the club doesn't need the money anyway so I don't see any priority reason to sell him.

You are putting thoughts into his head there and IMO it does not follow there is this in built compulsion to move on in every player and neither should they be thought less of nor think less of themselves if they don't. There are probably just as many players who regret leaving their clubs as those who wish they had.

IL won't be deliberately trying to get rid of Sam, that makes no sense at all. Surely it's a case of Sam, or his agent, telling IL that he wants to try his luck in the NRL and IL realising that if he helps Sam then he may well come back.
Do you think that Sam is after the money? I think whilst that helps, Super League doesn't offer the opprtunities that the NRL offers for Sam. Sam wants to prove himself the best in the world and he can't do that playing in super league.I think it is just down to the fact that Sam has won everything Super League has to offer. He is far and away the best attacking player in the league.

You are right about players regretting leaving. "The grass is always greener" syndrome. I suspect that of those going over to the NRL, most of them will be back pretty sharpish. Morley, Ellis and Burgess have been succesful, but how long will Graham last over there, his attack of the munchies on Billy Slater was completely out of character and suggested a man on the edge. Flash didn't last long. I can't see Hock lasting a single season and is Mossop really ready to lead a pack in the NRL?

In an ideal world Sam would stay were he is loved and win multiple honours. I wouldn't mind betting that he will return to us in 3 or 4 years time and play Stand Off for a good few years once his pace has gone, in the same way that Darren Lockyer did.

Tomkins to Saracens 2014 : Wed May 15, 2013 10:47 pm  

Just read this on the BBC, it gives a strong hint of his future with his brother........ If he wins the World Cup this year with England, what else is their to play for? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/22514958

Just read this on the BBC, it gives a strong hint of his future with his brother........ If he wins the World Cup this year with England, what else is their to play for? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/22514958

Re: Tomkins to Saracens 2014 : Wed May 15, 2013 10:58 pm  

I read it as NRL first then Union.

We'll never see him again IMO.

Re: Tomkins to Saracens 2014 : Wed May 15, 2013 11:19 pm  

Mookachaka wrote: Just read this on the BBC, it gives a strong hint of his future with his brother........ If he wins the World Cup this year with England, what else is their to play for? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/22514958 Far too often too much is read from articles such as this. A reporter asks a leading question, player/coach answers it then the reporter writes a story. Journalists call it an 'angle', i call it nonsense. Put yourself in Sam's position. If asked would you like to live in London at some point what would your answer be.

Mookachaka wrote: Just read this on the BBC, it gives a strong hint of his future with his brother........ If he wins the World Cup this year with England, what else is their to play for? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/22514958 Far too often too much is read from articles such as this. A reporter asks a leading question, player/coach answers it then the reporter writes a story. Journalists call it an 'angle', i call it nonsense. Put yourself in Sam's position. If asked would you like to live in London at some point what would your answer be.

Re: Tomkins to Saracens 2014 : Wed May 15, 2013 11:32 pm  

Eastbourne Warrior wrote:

If asked would you like to live in London at some point what would your answer be.

No.