If it was the right deal for the club, like Deacon was then yes.

I'm not overly happy at having 1 senior specialist hooker at the club next year.

he's s***t so i'm out!!!!!!

Definitely make a move for Matt Diskin if he's not already tied in.

I think he'd be a useful acquisition given our strengths and weaknesses, but we Wigan fans are at risk, despite everything that's happened this season, of sounding off again in that old familiar way - the moment a half-decent player comes available, wondering, with some annoyance, why we were weren't in for him.

Couldn't it just be that we can't afford him under the salary cap?

Or a 3 year deal wasn't for us.

Turning into the Dragons Den on here. So, if the price is right, I’m in, if not I’m out. Good player, only 28 but have to watch the cap spending, but we do still need a hooker IMO.

I can see your argument, and it is valid, but my thoughts (and the reason I started the thread) are that he would be a good acquisition in what maybe a problem position for us. We could then use Deacons player salary to accommodate Diskin and allow Deacon to get more involved in the coaching regime.

Two/three years ago under Nobby I'd have taken Diskin in a flash, knowing that he'd have some impact in the team. But now, under Madge, I have the sneaky suspicion he will have his ideal number 9 in the bag before next season. For that reason, I'm oot.

It's nice to think like this.

I'm sure the curious rumour that Tommy is going to Manly will fuel more suspicions of this nature (both Cameron Smith and James Roby were linked with us earlier in the season!!!). But I still believe that Piggy's late and unplanned departure has caused this chink to appear in our armour, rather than it being part of some clever scheme. So I suspect that having a weakness at 9 is probably something we're just going to have to live with until the next round of team-building commences, which will be for 2012.

In an ideal world I'm sure everyone agrees we'd want three class players for every position but that does not and cannot happen anymore because of the salary cap. Although we may be weak(er) in terms of hooking options for next year going off our announced signings, I dont think there will ever be a time under the salary cap where every area of the field can be strong all round.

Having said that, I dont think we are that short at hooker as some seem to be making out. Yes, its a pivotal position to get us going and Riddell was invaluable. But Tommy is a world class hooker and McIlorum has had a few years under several different coaches and senior hookers to learn his trade. Its time in my opinion, to see if McIlorum can step up and become a first choice hooker at the club. At least then, as you say we can know where we stand for our next recruitment drive for the 2012 season.

You could be right, I guess I'm linking the possible need for a player with this being the run up to Madge's first season of input on hires and fires. If the player he's 'got in the bag' for the number nine slot is Tommy or McIlorum I'll be equally happy, one thing we know now is that he has the fastidious nature to have had plan in place for some time. My head is telling me it will be a new signing purely because he has the chance to shape the team for the next few years.

Don't forget, Phelps and Pryce's contracts are yet to be renewed/not renewed. So there will be a little room to navigate around the SC. Plus with Deacs playing future not yet announced I think we could expect another signing before 2011, despite what IL and MM say about it.

Diskin, for the right price and contract length then yes I would like to have him, however it seems likely he's going to Bradford so I'll tell you where I am on this....I'm out.

I too wouldn't be surprised if there is an announcement regarding a new hooker in the near future, however there's always the possibility that the third Tomkins brother could be introduced at hooker next year.

Get him! Perfect player to replace Piggy, won't cost a bomb and will do the job.

On the other side of things, if we go into next year with McIlorum as our only specialist hooker then it gives him a chance to step up big time. I think he may take his chance.

Tommy and MicMac will be our 9s next year.
Diskin's reason for leaving after just signing an extention to his contract is an odd one. Darren Albert did the same at Saints some years ago.
More to this then we'll ever know.
Diskin wouldn't be an improvement on what we've got therefore there's no point.
Glad he's off to Bradford.