All this maybe true. My point is, nobody knows what he is on now, so nobody knows if anybody else can or will pay his wages. And I think somebody will offer him closer to what he wants other than the massive reduced wages the Wigan fans think he will accept.

I deliberately played it down to save JJB's feelings.

Being in the know must be such a privilege

Well put it this way, signing players the current coach has actually worked with seems like a smart move.

Particularly when they are the right side of 30.

I wouldn't argue that the siginngs will improve Wigan on paper but I think you underestimate the importance of team spirit at your peril. Hopefully McGuire will have that covered. Kind of interesting though if Wigan win the title this year then dump 4/5 players who help win it.

My problem with these signings is the message it send about Wigan's overall recruitment policy. IIRC on the Wigan board someone said that only one of the back five players next year is English. Put any spin you want on it, that sucks.

As for Fielden, I simply cannot see any side paying him big bucks again. He's a big name but hardly a star signing nowadays. Its a fact of life most players face eventually.

Depending on who plays full back next year it could well one or two, which is no different to this year depending on injuries. We will probably see at least 4 overseas players in the back 7. But I dont get these coments on overseas recruitment, we have signed 3 overseas players and are releasing some aswell. I dont know the exact amount but Riddel is confirmed and it seems highly likely Bailey and Feka will be gone to. So I dont see a problem with this at all.... I could understand if we were taking more on but really were going have the same amount again.

Having watched pretty much all of the Storm's games in the last couple of years, all three are quality signings. I don't particularly agree Finch is a weak link - he turned around Melbourne's season when it was clear Inglis at 6 wasn't working. The fact they all have worked well under Maguire adds to the impact. Definately the team to beat next year, wigan.

On a slightly related topic - anyone suggesting it's a mistake trying to keep melbourne's big four at the club (all home grown players incidentally) must be off their rocker!

that's a difficult call and depends how much of the real salary cap they are taking. They're ptobably going to have quite a few first team players on not a great deal to keep these 4. That can either mean a lack of quality or players that could quickly get brassed off that they're putting in the effort for someone else's reward.

Frosties?

OK you got me and I stand corrected. The 2nd least 'in the know' contributor to RLFans.

Damo?

Enough already.

It's MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

You're Damo?

Craigloiner??