Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Jun 19, 2016 10:07 pm  

stillinthepast wrote:

I accept what you are saying Itchy, but my source in an ideal world if it was to come true would mean we had Burgess at fullback, Josh on the wing and Sam at scrumhalf.

To be honest I was taken by surprise with the Smith comment. We were talking about the Bateman debris and possible new clubs for him when he eventually leaves unless there is a dramatic change internally at the club. Gold Coast apparently are the club showing the most interest.
Their view was that IL will act to act if we are to address falling attendances. I suggested that perhaps we need to make room within the salary cap if new faces were to be introduced into the club other than TL and Burgess. This was pure speculation on my part. They had no views on potential replacements for Smith other than when TL signs there has to be some "give" in the squad if further signings are to be delivered.
I have no reason to disbelieve their comments as this was the same person who told me many months ago that Sarginson was off a very very long time before the official announcement and who gave me details on the build up re Sarginson before the announcement.
At a guess I think we may see TL at 7 with Powell as cover for 7 and 9. For me far from perfect but maybe KR has other surprises up his sleeve after his Aussie visit. Frankly if people disbelieve me that's not a problem because at the end of the day this is a rumours thread and I wouldn't post something just to try and get a response be it negative or otherwise.
I just hope that IL realises that the current bland style of play just won't bring in the speccies therefore he needs to open his dusty transfer fund wallet.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Jun 19, 2016 10:24 pm  

I'm a little shocked at the lack of respect TL is being given by Wigan fans as a half back.

The lad was outstanding for Wigan as half, great game management big defence and tactically very intelligent.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Jun 19, 2016 10:37 pm  

jonh wrote:

I'm a little shocked at the lack of respect TL is being given by Wigan fans as a half back.

The lad was outstanding for Wigan as half, great game management big defence and tactically very intelligent.

All true but his kicking game was worse than Smudge's. I do worry that TL has had far to many injuries of late. TBH i would not say having him as a replacement for Smith would be the end of the world.

However if we stick him at 9 in lieu of Powell i will be pretty miffed.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sun Jun 19, 2016 10:46 pm  

I've watched TL in his last couple of games and he's gone pretty well, offers more than Powell in attack even though he's pretty crocked these days, went off injured against this weekend. Agree his kicking game has never been all that, and he's arguably always been a better 9 than 7, though. As a back-up 7/9 and doing some coaching I'd be happy to see him back, but wouldn't like to think of him as a major signing.

I wish (and maybe Itchy does too) we'd had the cojones to take a punt on Sandow, but I guess he wasn't regarded as a 'Wigan player'. But we are where we are.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jun 20, 2016 7:32 am  

tugglesf78 wrote:

All true but his kicking game was worse than Smudge's. I do worry that TL has had far to many injuries of late. TBH i would not say having him as a replacement for Smith would be the end of the world.

However if we stick him at 9 in lieu of Powell i will be pretty miffed.

Apart from in the 2010 Grand Final, when out of nowhere Leuluai pulled a kicking display Jonathan Thurston would be proud of out of thin air!

In the main though I agree.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jun 20, 2016 10:10 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

Apart from in the 2010 Grand Final, when out of nowhere Leuluai pulled a kicking display Jonathan Thurston would be proud of out of thin air!

In the main though I agree.

I cant believe that was 6 years agao

True though. He was outstanding in that game.

I must admit he was not to shabby at offensive kicks near the line, but Williams is better in that regard IMO

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jun 20, 2016 10:19 am  

If TL comes, won't it be in a kind of Paul Deacon capacity - as an elder statesman looking to add experience and leadership when the chips are down, but with his long-term future on the coaching side?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jun 20, 2016 10:33 am  

Cruncher wrote:

If TL comes, won't it be in a kind of Paul Deacon capacity - as an elder statesman looking to add experience and leadership when the chips are down, but with his long-term future on the coaching side?

I spoke with Kylie Leuluai yesterday and he told me outright that we have signed Tommy on a 2 year playing contract with a coaching role. I didn't ask if the coaching was to start straight away or after he finishes playing but I'd suspect he'll be involved from day 1.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jun 20, 2016 11:09 am  

Tommy is a great player imo. Funnily enough I never really noticed it until he left, but his range of passing is top draw.

It wasn't until Smith replaced him that you realise just how good Tommy was at getting the attack on the front foot. His passes hit the man and don't land behind them, which is something Smith is guilt of far too often imo.

Top signing

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Mon Jun 20, 2016 11:18 am  

sergeant pepper wrote:

Tommy is a great player imo. Funnily enough I never really noticed it until he left, but his range of passing is top draw.

It wasn't until Smith replaced him that you realise just how good Tommy was at getting the attack on the front foot. His passes hit the man and don't land behind them, which is something Smith is guilt of far too often imo.

Top signing

I agree, this is a great signing. I'm an admirer of the effort and commitment shown week in week out by Smith but I'm also critical of his ability. His passing accuracy is not great, he's slow, rarely beats a man and often kicks the ball down the full back's throat. He is capable of having a blinder but doesn't do so often enough. If I had to pick TL or MS at scrum half, I'd go for TL.