Quote Saddened!="Saddened!"Saints are set to announce Michael Shenton and Louie McCarthy Scarsbrook according to rumour. 2 more English internationals coming in. '"
And Wigan, along with numerous other clubs, were after them, but according to our chairman the price was simply too high for players who didn't possess the quality to warrant such wage demands. Albeit he didn't put it like that, but you get the jist.
[urlhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wigan/8834917.stm[/url
Quote Saddened!He said: "We did try to get some English-born players a few months ago but the prices are very high. '"
I think we all know who he is referring too and what he is getting at.
Quote Saddened!You don't need to sign NRL players all the time. There are alternatives. Despite the lengths the RFL have gone to reduce the number of NRL players in SL, Wigan will still have a mighty 7. 7!'"
Our recruitment for the last few years has gone unnoticed with the fact it's been primarily British. Last season we only signed up Paul Deacon and no-one bats an eyelid. In Ian Lenagan's first season in charge we signed Richie Mathers and Karl Pryce. No-one bats an eyelid. We even managed to sneak in George Carmont in there and still no-one bats an eyelid because he isn't high profile. However, the first time in four years Wigan have made a high profile signing everyone has suddenly become engrossed in what's happening at Wigan and are rushing to lambast the runnings of the club after ignoring the deals handed out to Sam Tomkins, Joel Tomkins, Lee Mossop and Darrell Goulding. The fact that eleven of our 17 that took to the field against Warrington were Wigan born or trained. The fact that we've recently signed up 8 youngsters to our academy. The fact that Josh Charnley is one of around 12 young lads to be loan to Super League clubs, Championship One and Two clubs, taking advantage of the dual registration system more than another other Super League club and therefore accelerating their development. As seen by the emergence of Liam Farrell and Chris Tuson into the First Team squad (who are set to play against Hull FC tonight).
Wigan have only four overseas players for next season - Amos Roberts, Ryan Hoffman, Brett Finch and Jeff Lima. Pat Richards - who has played for Ireland whenever asked with complete commitment and pride - does not count on any quota. Leaving only George Carmont, who would have counted on the quota had other Super League clubs not voted against players who were signed prior to the rule changes announced - which you happen to mention - counting on the quota, which let me remind you our chairman has gone on the record and said:
Quote Saddened!Wigan would have preferred not to grant the new re-categorisations because we had fully planned for them better than many other clubs. However, we voted for them for fairness to players and as the only sure way to ensure that the new Regulations would be implemented, albeit slightly slower'"
Incidentally if we are dishing out nefarious lambastings of clubs recruitment policies, why haven't Warrington had some stick?
Richie Mathers leaves and Warrington signed an Australian fullback, who is 32, on a two year contract. That means he will be at 34 in his final season. Michael Monaghan was handed a two year contract extension meaning he will be 34 in his final year. Chris Hicks, who is 33, has been handed a one year contract extension keeping him at Warrington till he is 34. Don't they have a young, hot prospect in Rhys Evans who he is keeping out the team?
I want to make it clear that I'm not essentially picking on Warrington in particular, but just want to show how scrutinised Wigan get compared to other clubs. The reasons for that I think are made abundantly clear with your "scummy hive of scum" post.
