That is the problem with the club as a whole though. Loyalty can’t be bought, and without a realistic bait of having a strong chance of success, our recruitment and retention policy is to have the biggest number.

At the time we resigned King, he had been with the club for 5 or 6 years. A player in a similar position, let’s say at Saints for example, would get offered terms that suit the team and their role within it. They might get offered more elsewhere, but the bait with Saints is that you’re almost a 50:50 chance of getting to a big final. Saints have a strong hand when trying to keep them, but with the safety net that everyone wants to win, and you are serial winners, so recruiting a replacement is simple.

With us, Hull, Huddersfield etc. you have to win the number race. You could go to any one of them three clubs and have a similar chance on winning trophies, so you might as well take the money offer.

It’s a difficult cycle until you can create effective production from within and use the youth system to create an atmosphere where kids feel they need to be at our club, because it’s the best place for them to develop. But also where we can instil that atmosphere on those players in their way that we are a club that are ruthless enough to cut a big name player and replace him with an academy product, and create that dynamic where every session you are competing for your shirt on a Sunday, not just going through the motions because you’re going to get picked anyway.

If the search facility on here worked we could see that many people at the time were surprised and amazed at the furore around King's extension discussions and being linked to other clubs - including Saints. There were also those who thought he was the next Gene Miles and that we had to sign him. So I don't believe it was not unanimous "we must sign him".

Quote: Wires71 "If the search facility on here worked we could see that many people at the time were surprised and amazed at the furore around King's extension discussions and being linked to other clubs - including Saints. There were also those who thought he was the next Gene Miles and that we had to sign him. So I don't believe it was not unanimous "we must sign him".'" With the odd exception about not overpaying (which is a fair point) and wiremansam being his usual contrary attention seeking self, this thread seems to have a bit of a consensus viewtopic.php?f=21&t=633510

Quote: Wires71 "If the search facility on here worked we could see that many people at the time were surprised and amazed at the furore around King's extension discussions and being linked to other clubs - including Saints. There were also those who thought he was the next Gene Miles and that we had to sign him. So I don't believe it was not unanimous "we must sign him".'" With the odd exception about not overpaying (which is a fair point) and wiremansam being his usual contrary attention seeking self, this thread seems to have a bit of a consensus viewtopic.php?f=21&t=633510

People are conflating last years king in a basket case club butting heads with Powell to the one prior to this. He wasn't anywhere near as bad as people are making out, just now he's on a list people are making out he was a lot worse than he was.

It seems difficult both to get off the "poop" list & the young outstanding "future star" list. Reality is that players are not usually as bad or as good as all that.

His form prior to signing his contract (under Price in May 2021) was good. Then for the rest of 2021 he was poor if you recall. I think he scored 1 or 2 tries in the remainder of the season. Then 2022 we all know what happened.

Personally I think he is an average (at best) SL centre but certainly not worth an elevated contract. If he doesn't come back to Warrington I won't be too troubled. Others rate him much higher and that's fine. Time will tell anyway.

It would be much easier if we knew just how much players are actually paid. Unfortunately we guess.
Someone even suggested that players might accept less money to play St Helens or Wigan ... but we'll never really know. One thing that certainly doesn't help King's popularity is the thought that he is paid a fortune.

Yup, for some weird reason at the end of 21(after widdop came back as well) we just stopped what we had been doing successfully. And slithered across the finishing line.

Not knocking the kid, I think he has a future, but I don't think he has a settled position. In youth rugby he was an excellent running half, when he got to academy level it was felt his passing game wasn't good enough to be a long term half. So he transitioned to back row and did well, pushing for first team he was considered too small to be a back rower, and it was felt his pace would be better used out wide - centre being an obvious transition from back row but winger is also on the cards. I don't think he has a settled position now and to me it seems Chambers sees him more of a winger - for now at least.

It does seem that those who have seen lots have him have got more doubts than those who have just seen his obvious try scoring potential when put into space. He's got pace, no doubt. His selection on the wing for the reserves may be a one off but perhaps not.

also taking a trip back to 2021 viewtopic.php?f=21&t=634192

also taking a trip back to 2021 viewtopic.php?f=21&t=634192

Don’t be so lazy…phone the club shop