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!

Not a fair question to ask me or any poster. There's no way we have the information to say who we should or could have signed.
Could easily end up being a discussion of hypotheticals.

Instead I look at who other SL clubs have signed and question why the SL champions are signing Sammut?
I don't know what's going on with the club when this is happening.

I could further by asking who in SL have a weaker 7 IF Sammut is our starting 7?

I woukd have honestly sooner gone into the season with a starting 17 which include a 6 and 7 of George and Tommy with Powell at 9 and Escare on the bench.

Surely that option is still available. It's up to them how they perform in pre season isn't it?

If we go with this then why sign a championship 7 who's 31 going on 32 on a 2 year deal for cover when we're already supposedly tight on the cap?

We have just re-signed an injury prone 36 year old who played less than 30 minutes in 16 SL games this season and you moan about signing a 31 year old

People can keep comparing the Deacon thread to this one but I don’t care what anyone says, the two players are of no comparison.
Deacs was a winner with a proven track record.
Sammut is a journeyman who’s mainly failed wherever he’s been.

If you think we can compare the fans opinions fron Deacons signings then your blind to how far RL has changed (fallen).
I’d sooner have Deacon at his current age, than this lad.

Wild and crazy idea, but I'll just wait and see how he goes first.

Wigan won the title in 2018 with a spine of #1 Tomkins, #6 Williams, #7 Leuluai, #9 Powell and #13 O'Loughlin.
Escare was back up.

The only change for 2019 is Hardaker for Tomkins, and the addition of Sammut.

What I'm hearing is that in pre season there has been a lot more ball work and field time for the players. I'm not keen on Sammut but he is a better option than Woods IMO, and I'm willing to give him a chance before throwing him on the fire as many seem keen to do.

It seems we at Wigan always need a scapegoat, just look at the Powell, Williams and Sarginson comments from earlier this year.

Decent post.


Sammut is a necesary choice if true theat IL is cutting back a bit and i do not blame him. Either he digs in his pockets again or we the fans dig in and pay more. We still have the best squad in SL.


And Squad wins GF and not 1-13