Agree, despite his clear ability sadly he was wasted at Wigan until the play book went out of the window and he could play as he wanted.

Well Noble splits the pitch up into 12 and the players do the same thing from each area of the field which means our play lacks creation, yet we look best when we improvise. World class players like Barrett are better playing situationally so your right he was wasted. Leuluai is also much better playing by the situation as he is a quick thinker. Just look at his chip over the top on the last tackle on friday because one man came flying out of the line or when he would normally spin it our wide and he ghosted through the defence under the south stand and scored one of the best individual tries all season. Many of out players would benefit from a less structured play pattern.

I do not mind the structure, but i do not like players activley discouraged from showing a bit of flair or a structured game plan that is so basic it offers next to no options for our ball carrier. I also cannot understand why some coaches do not involve the halves in deciding on the structure as they are the general on the field.



Look at Lee Briers for a few seasons he looked superb at times when he had options off the ball, was dictating play on the field and was allowed to throw in some off the cuff play from time to time. If Briers can look good God only knows what Baz could have done, although to be fair we did see it on occasion when the game plan went out of the window and the games looked lost, Bradford comeback springs to mind.

Its a shame Trent had to go home early. It would have been great to see him and Sam play together (although it probably wouldn't have happened?)



I'm not a huge Noble fan but you have to feel sorry for the guy considering we've lost probably our 2 best players in Trent and Hock when we weren't expecting it.

Seeing this is the rumoured signings thread rather than the how much a player was paid thread, I thought I'd share with you what I know. Having received a phone call earlier tonight from Mick Hogan in regards to an e-mail I sent him last week, I took the time to ask him about future signings for the club.



The immediate impression to come over me was the club have as yet to sign anyone for next year, It was also pretty much implied that the club wouldn't sign a replacement for hock, but rather fill that role from within. The club also had the option to sign either O'Meley or Webb but decided against as neither were felt to be right for the club, particularly O'Meley who it was felt by the medical staff that with the extra 6 or 7 games plus heavier pitches would take a big toll on his knees. I also got the impression that Coley would be rewarded with a new deal, and that possibly a new prop may not be brought in, I'll explain why further down.



I also asked about the halfback position, to find that Mick and Lenegan have enquired about the current Aussie number 7 (naming no names) yet found that the sums involved in bringing him here were astronomical and unrealistic for any superleague club. In regards to Myler, the club were approached by his people but the club felt he wasn't the correct partner for Sam for varying reasons.



The final two overriding feelings I got were that the signings this year would be minimal due to the fact that the right calibre of players are just not available at this time, and finally that the club would be far more willing to wait for the right people to come off contract next year, than go ahead this year and make signings that wouldn't be right for the club.



And can I finally say that I found Mick Hogan to be a very knowledgeable, and is working is hardest to get the club to be the leader in every field in superleague, and after speaking to him I have the utmost respect and feel that the club is heading in the right direction, but things will take time.



I've written the above comments and made them public as I hope it will shed some light on things and add some transparency in regards to goings on with the signings.

if all this rings true and we do jack , i hope OL will be happy with a fall in season tickets for 2010

1 year of missing out on the players we need was bad enough, if the above proves to be true 2 years of it in my opinion is unacceptable. Time will tell i guess.

I do have a feeling next year, we'll looking at



1 - Phelps

2 - Roberts

3 - Gleeson

4 - Carmont/Pryce

5 - Richards

6 - S. Tomkins

7 - New Signing

8 - Prescott

9 - Macca

10 - [iFielden[/i

11 - Hansen

12 - Coley

13 - O'Loughlin



Bench

Feka

O'Carroll

Tommy

Mossop



IMO, not much wrong with the team under the new coach.



The players in bold are uping their games week in week out, and getting better and better, which is very good too see.



Fielden I feel could bring the good old days back, not as good as he once was, but fresh coach, fresh words could get him going once again.



Think this team could be a title challenging side for bith the GF and CC, high expectations I know, but we'll $hite this year and in with a chance for them

Good to see there giving serious thought to recruitment. I don't think we've missed out on O'Meley and Webb.



No point signing a replacement for Hock unless we could get someone like Pritchard.



Coley doesn't deserve a new deal IMO we need a good prop to replace him but looks like none are available



Dissapointing about the half back. Probably right about Myler, more than likely going to Wire anyway.



Isn't the current Aussie number 7 Thurston?

Or did you mean an Aussie number 7?



Anything about Phil Bailey?

Thurston is who they looked at but it was deemed he would take up to much cap for one player.

Nothing was mentioned of Bailey.

If true i'm not shocked at all



Its all well and good "enquiring" about Thurston. St Pats could enquire.what was he expecting "Mr Thurston wants 20k a year"



I'm sorry but the list hanging about PROVES theres real talent available for next season.

Given the nature of your post concerning the reply you got this is the most worrying thing. What the hell did they expect when enquiring about Thurston? Of course he was going to command a huge wage to come to the SL, then in the next breath they seem to suggest that non of the right players were available, firstly which in my opinion is not correct, secondly they have turned down a potential long term signing when if they do not intend to bring anyone in we would have the cap space, and finally again we expect to bring in quality but are not willing to pay the going rate for it.



Your initial post fills me with dread, but only time will tell if it turns out to be correct.