Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 09, 2021 7:13 am  

jonh wrote:

Hank is a bit of a surprise.

Expect Thornley formally announced in the not too distant.

Why is it a surprise?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 09, 2021 8:12 am  

While other clubs are announcing the signing of better known players to strengthen their squads, Wigan are signing no players and off loading some.

We can only hope that it is a sign that the club is now listening to supporters concerns about the standard of the squad and the departure of Clark and Hankinson means that the club is serious about signing at least a couple of better class and more well known experinced players.

Perhaps, the present level of season ticket sales has something to do with the sudden surge of activity!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 09, 2021 8:16 am  

nathan_rugby wrote:

Why is it a surprise?

Because he signed a new deal for this season.

If he wasn't in the club's plans, why did they extend his contract only to release him? It makes no sense.

I wonder if we've had to reach a settlement that will impact on this year's cap.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 09, 2021 9:39 am  

nathan_rugby wrote:

Why is it a surprise?

With our lack of outside backs, particularly centres, the fact we took the option and to be honest no rumours circulating about him going.

Looks like he will be playing SL with Toulouse next year.

I think he will go well for them.

In relation to releasing him at this stage I think he will have been happy to shake hands and walk away as he will have been given reassurances of game time next year and the opportunity to play SL so I don’t think we will have paid him off. He probably approached the club rather than the other way round.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 09, 2021 1:04 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

I'm really interested in Napa. People say he's shot etc, but I'm just not sure if that's down to him being at the Bulldogs.

If there was ever a Wane/Wigan prop then it's Napa. He's like Singleton, but a better version.

Yeah, all 3 look good signing for Catalans but I feel Napa would have been the one I’d have wanted for us, he would certainly have got me more excited than the Ellis signing.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 09, 2021 7:15 pm  

I don’t think it’s any secret that I don’t rate Hank at all so I am struggling to understand the uproar about him leaving - not so much on here but in social media you’d believe we’ve just released a prime Greg Inglis.

I get he’s a goal kicker but seriously are we clamouring over him for that? I want a lot more from our players than that. I mean no malice to the lad and genuinely wish him well wherever he goes next and every success to boot, but admittedly I’m not sad to see him go.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 09, 2021 7:16 pm  

Ruddy Duck wrote:

While other clubs are announcing the signing of better known players to strengthen their squads, Wigan are signing no players and off loading some.

We can only hope that it is a sign that the club is now listening to supporters concerns about the standard of the squad and the departure of Clark and Hankinson means that the club is serious about signing at least a couple of better class and more well known experinced players.

Perhaps, the present level of season ticket sales has something to do with the sudden surge of activity!

You may be onto something there.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 09, 2021 9:09 pm  

I'm disappointed Hank has gone. With Hardaker's future unclear our centre options are now poor to say the least. If Zac leaves which seems highly likely then that means Harry Smith is our only goalkicker.
We're missing a quality half and now it looks like there won't be any quality centres either.

I do hope the club are working on signings. There should be plenty of salary cap space but the lack of quality players at this time of the year is worrying.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 09, 2021 9:28 pm  

You’d like to think Hankinson going means one or both of two things-

1-Hardaker stays

2-We’ve a signing lined up (maybe not to directly replace Hankinson mind)

If they still feel the Hardaker situation is up in the air and they have no concrete replace lined up, it is absolutely crazy to let him walk away just yet. I’m confident enough that they think the centre position is sorted one way or another.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Nov 09, 2021 10:06 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

You’d like to think Hankinson going means one or both of two things-

1-Hardaker stays

2-We’ve a signing lined up (maybe not to directly replace Hankinson mind)

If they still feel the Hardaker situation is up in the air and they have no concrete replace lined up, it is absolutely crazy to let him walk away just yet. I’m confident enough that they think the centre position is sorted one way or another.

It's important to rectify one of the issues last season with regards to a solid goalkicker , which scenario looks most likely?

1) New signing - Half Back or Centre with a better % strike rate than what we had in 2021? Upwards of 75%.

2) Existing player - Hardaker with a 50% strike rate last season but with additional kicking practice (Briers?) to improve this? This assumes he's in sound mind to play on in 2022.

3) Existing player - such as Smith with Tommy filling in, again with additional kicking practice to try improve on last years poor rate. Unknown %.