I'm hoping he stays, with appropriate punishment for anything he may be found guilty of. Would be gutted to see him go, prior to 'the incident' I thought he would be part of Wigan's long term plans.

If I'm honest then' I'm expecting the worst.

Just be good to know either way then we can get on with the season, massive game next week, I really fancy another trip to Wembley this year!

How many players have Wigan stood by in the past for on/off field indiscretions like drugs and violence so why should bateman be any different. Club suspension and fine and end of story thats what it should be Unless the club are looking to sack him to release salary cap funds to sign a certain Mr Leuluai this season

Hopefully the guys involved can be men and make peace with each other. I've no doubt every member of the squad wants to win something and let's face it we stand a better chance of it with JB in the side.

The club should come down hard so that it sets the right tone, but let's not go OTT and weaken the side. If the players can move on then the club can play this smartly imo.

My problems with posts like the 2 x above (Sorry to pick on you guys it's just that they are the ones at the end) is :-

No 2 instances are the same - Just like when players get bans and people want "Consistency" - It's not as simple as that as 2 events are NEVER the same.
But more importantly
How can anyone say we should stand by him/Sack him when they don't know what he has or hasn't done?

I apologise however it seems to me that some people are looking at the issue as we Don't want to Lose Bateman (Which I don't) and then form their stance and argument to suit that outcome.

Sergeant Pepper
Just re-read your post and to be fair I get what you say although I just need to say that weakening our side does not enter into the equation IMO when it comes to what punishment (If any) should be handed out. The punishment should fit the crime in ALL Cases and if that means the team is weakened then so be it.

The difference in this case (allegedly) is that it was a problem between team mates, which can affect team spirit in training and on the field. We don't know any details, so I don't have a view on what the right action would be, but I have confidence the management will do what is best for the club. It seems we'll soon find out, in any case.

I'm so glad that you're not employed by our club judging by your half ar5ed reply,as it would be a free for all for all players to go and do what the hell they want,in full knowledge that the club won't go OTT and get rid as it would weaken the side

What punishment do you propose that would come down hard so that it sets the right tone?


I'll tell you something now,there is a strong feeling within our squad that Bateman should leave and not play for the club again
Now that is coming down hard so that it sets the right tone
All players at Wigan would then know only too well of the consequences of such behaviour

A serious question here to all Wigan fans:
Which outcome of this internal investigation would do the greatest damage to our club?
1:We slap Bateman on the wrists but let him off the hook as we don't want to lose him,but risk losing our clubs culture and strict code of conduct
2:We get rid of Bateman and keep our club culture intact and don't have any splits in our squad

I love Bateman as a player,He was my Man of Steel up to this incident but i would not risk causing dis harmony in our squad for ANY player
Don't forget that Mossop has grown up playing for our club and has forged a strong bond within our group of players and that is why they have voiced their opinions

A few years back Gareth Hock and Stuart Fielden had a HUGE fight during a training session at Orrell.

This wasnt confirmed at time despite rumours but has since been made public in recent biographies. The two players put it to one side and moved on, that is best solution here as well.

All this nonsense about team bonding and squad mood is a joke. I dont like anyone I work with. Rugby players are just pieces of meat who do a job for 10 years then are moved on and find another career.

This is true as a family member was at the scene. Hell for leather was the term he used I think.

2 men punching and hitting each other is one thing. What's been alleged goes way beyond that

If I remember correctly:

Player A put in a cheap tackle into a young academy player during a training session and he was hurt pretty badly. Player B saw this and took exception to it. Words were exchanged and once training had finished on the field everyone moved inside where it went off again. Apparently Player B was "livid".

Not sure if this is what came out in any of the books as I haven't read them.

The club should take the view that this was uncharacteristic of the player, fine him and warn him as to his future conduct. Only a charge of Gross Misconduct would warrant dismissal and that would be difficult to prove without further intervention from the police. I don't want to see a great player leaving our club.

It's the delay in making the announcement that's worrying me , why not just announce it today instead of saying in the next few days it makes me think final arrangements are being put in place to send him to another club registration or moving players to fit him under the cap . I seriously hope I am wrong by far our best player this year would be gutted to see him leave cutting off your nose to spite your face spring to mind

I'm sure it said in the Observer that "further police action" only related to the damage caused to the gym and not anything relating to injuries.