Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Wed Jun 15, 2016 11:41 pm  

I agree with a lot of that about MM, but all this talk about our future back-row seemed predicated on Bateman staying here, which still looks far from certain to me. And if he does go, he'll leave a big hole.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 16, 2016 6:31 am  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

For me he just doesn't do enough minutes it's as simple as that for the salary that he will be on.
It's the same with SOL.
Two of our top four earners are incapable of playing 80 minutes on a regular basis. To me it's shear absolute madness. If ST played 40 minutes a match there would be uproar but MM seems totally immune from any criticism.
3 seasons ago MM was probably my favourite player however, for me he has been in serious decline since then and if I'm honest I can't recall a game where I thought MM was particularly outstanding during that period. In terms of his tempo for the last 2 years it's been so slow he is unrecognisable from the top player that he was.
As you say it's all about opinions and without differing ones it would be a sad boring owd place

MM has shown in the past he is capable of doing 80 mins. If the coach decides he wants to employ a system to rotate hookers then I don't see how you can apportion blame on the player.

In the past Wane has rotated MM during the season then when it came to the business end he's played 80 and very well too.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 16, 2016 7:14 am  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

For me he just doesn't do enough minutes it's as simple as that for the salary that he will be on.
It's the same with SOL.
Two of our top four earners are incapable of playing 80 minutes on a regular basis. To me it's shear absolute madness. If ST played 40 minutes a match there would be uproar but MM seems totally immune from any criticism.
3 seasons ago MM was probably my favourite player however, for me he has been in serious decline since then and if I'm honest I can't recall a game where I thought MM was particularly outstanding during that period. In terms of his tempo for the last 2 years it's been so slow he is unrecognisable from the top player that he was.
As you say it's all about opinions and without differing ones it would be a sad boring owd place

I fully agree that in a salary cap era you can't have your top earners sat in the stands and that's why we either need to get Lockers on a reduced deal or move him in to the coaching set up. His injuries are taking longer to get over and he doesn't look to have that week to week intensity when he does play.

I don't agree with MM though. He's sidelined though a freak injury and I know his minutes have been more limited but I think that's Wane simply trying to ensure we don't get in a Lockers style injury situation with him anytime soon. He's stated himself he wants to play the 80 minutes and I'm sure he's capable of it but you hav to manage his workload (and they've wanted to give Sam Powell some opportunities). He's got plenty of time left in him yet IMO and without Lockers we would need the guy fit and in the side. If that's at 9 or 13 I don't overly think it would matter but he'd leave a huge hole if he wasn't with us.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 16, 2016 7:32 am  

Bateman is SOL's replacement, which i assume is why we have kept him

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 16, 2016 7:45 am  

[Gareth] wrote:

Bateman is SOL's replacement, which i assume is why we have kept him

Bateman picks up £10k fine and removes all trace of Wigan Warriors from his account. Canberra confirm talks with Bateman before electing not to pursue.
The club may feel like they've dealt with this, but maybe John doesn't.

I'll be surprised if he's here this time next year.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:16 am  

Trainman wrote:

MM has shown in the past he is capable of doing 80 mins. If the coach decides he wants to employ a system to rotate hookers then I don't see how you can apportion blame on the player.

In the past Wane has rotated MM during the season then when it came to the business end he's played 80 and very well too.

Very valid point and one I have also considered however, SW and his support staff must think that MM isn't capable of playing 80 minutes on a regular sustainable basis which for me is a waste of the salary cap.
Houghton at Hull is infinitely better than MM at the moment and until quite recently Roby offered more on a regular basis.
I'm not anti MM but just don't buy into any player on a sizeable wedge playing for 40 minutes a week. Maybe I'm just old fashioned or maybe coaching staff today are just too risk averse irrespective of a players capabilities

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 16, 2016 10:31 am  

Last Son of Wigan wrote:

Bateman picks up £10k fine and removes all trace of Wigan Warriors from his account. Canberra confirm talks with Bateman before electing not to pursue.
The club may feel like they've dealt with this, but maybe John doesn't

I'll be surprised if he's here this time next year.

Are people sure he mentioned Wigan in his Twitter bio prior to the disciplinary?he has plenty of pics of him in a Wigan shirt still on there.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 16, 2016 11:07 am  

CobraCraig wrote:

Are people sure he mentioned Wigan in his Twitter bio prior to the disciplinary?he has plenty of pics of him in a Wigan shirt still on there.

A few people have mentioned that he did have. Personally I don't know, but the first person to mention it on this forum is a dubious character to say the least.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 16, 2016 11:24 am  

CobraCraig wrote:

Are people sure he mentioned Wigan in his Twitter bio prior to the disciplinary?he has plenty of pics of him in a Wigan shirt still on there.

Yes he did. He has been in communication with Canberra, as stated by Canberra. Just sticking to the facts.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jun 16, 2016 2:13 pm  

Was definitely in his Twitter bio and only removed since Wigan's statement. FWIW I'm still told Wigan are actively trying to sell him.