Absolutely mate. It was a whole heap of "past it", "is this the best we can do" and "we should be looking at players X, Y and Z". I think you're remembering the positive feeling around him after he'd proved himself. At the time of the signing it was overwhelmingly negative.

Hindsight very much colours people's memories I'm afraid. It's like the number of people who were at significant events. It's always way more than were actually there!

He certainly has his supporters in here though. At one point I thought that he had joined the board and started posting about himself.

Surely that tag should go to Hastings who has become a legend in even less games

It wasn't universally loved, but the vast majority of people were positive about it. To avoid hindsight bias, rlhere's what was saidrl at the time. I see we both (correctly) said it was a good move

Hastings transformed that Salford team when he was on the pitch. Got to admit i'm enjoying the whole thing surrounding him and Salford at the moment. Since the end of the season when the fans were signing and putting him on their shoulders he has really bought into the club. Great to see, but he is a far better player than not just Drinkwater but most halves in SL

Still unsure why we have actually signed Sammut other than he was available and is comparatively inexpensive.

If he is merely cover for HB where does that leave Shorrocks & Woods?
Also if he only cover who will be our regular goal kicker?
If he is cover for HB & FB then surely Escare is surplus to requirements? I believe that Marshall has been covering the FB role in pre season training due to the current absence of Hardaker & Escare and is performing quite well which again for me, questions Escare's future particularly when his salary I assume is much higher than Marshall and Sammut.

In summary totally bemused and underwhelmed at the moment.

You've summed it up Itchy.

I forgot to add that Sammut would give us a more "off the cuff" option from HB and a far superior kicking game than Escare.
In summary for me the conclusion I could come to is that Sammut is effectively a replacement for Escare which im not overly sure is a good move all things considered excluding cost.
If we were to offload Escare and replace him with an experienced forward then I just might be able to get my head around it.
Odd signing to say the least.

We must have funds considering the players who've left and offering Hastings a deal. I like the idea of having Escare on the bench, his versatility is great to cover a number of positions. If Sammut is part of the 17 who misses out?

Perhaps Williams and Sammut at 6 and 7 with Tommy and Powell interchanging 9, Escare to miss out.

Baffling.

A bit like yourself I have been going through different combinations but what I just cannot see is Escare & Sammut both being on the bench. For me why sign Sammut unless you are going to play him so Escare seems an expensive option so I assume we will look to offload.

My biggest concern in this is who will be our goal kicker and main tactical kicker. TL's kicking game is generally poor and Williams apart from a short kick near the line has no kicking game whatsoever. It is because of this and Sammut's off the cuff plays that I also think there is a strong possibility he may well start at 7 with TL at 9 with Powell on the bench. Not particularly inspiring and personally I would have gone with Smith at 7 or got a "project" HB from Australia for a season or so until young Smith is ready.

I am very hopeful that Williams will at last get some coaching to further develop his game and that Lam will also bring Smith through the ranks quicker and hopefully give him some freedom to develop as a player and technically.

I think we may be in for a rocky season but I'm quite hopeful that Lam will develop our play and make the game more exciting. I believe all of the forwards particularly Clubb & Flower in pre season are being encouraged to look to offload more often which for me would be a small step in the right direction.

Interesting times. I was just hoping for a new signing to add a bit interest particularly for supporters who have drifted away from the club and very much so in trying to attract younger spectators. The average age of our fan base is far too old for me and we desperately need some young and new supporters and Sammut just doesn't get anywhere near in delivering that

For me we needed a marquee 7. Someone with the attributes needed to take us to the next level, someone with experience to control the game, excellent kicker and great game management. That would be the only option which would justify keeping either Escare, Tommy or Powell out of the 17.

In an ideal world I totally agree.

The question is who???

Do you think Wigan have just signed Sammut with out enquiring about others???

Too late, Ryan Bailey has already signed for Fev!