Because we don't have any backup for the halves at all. If Tomkins got injured we'd have to have switched Gleeson or O'Loughlin into a position where they do not play. He's backup for the first team, when he could still probably get in 50% of super leagues first teams.

He's here as a coach, but for 1 year he's going to be backup until the whole playing side gets restructured.

Its not as if we're bringing in a 31 year old on a 3 year playing contract and paying him far too much. 30 year old coach on a 1 year contract providing backup.

So be it, the player should respond by playing well in the academy and training well in order to beat the player who surpassed him. Competition for positions is never a bad thing.

Have you ever known a season when we have had no injuries?

Positive move. We all know we need a house prop, but we need to look at other areas too... Good cover, and by all accounts a bright, intelligent decent bloke. Good move for the future of the club IMO... And i was not impressed when i first heard...

First of all, you don't know how much cap space is 'being wasted'.

Bear in mind that Deacon knows his playing days are virtually over and is looking to his post-playing future. Embarking on a coaching career with a long-term contract is a good move for him. Embarking on that career at his home-town club, so that he doesn't have to keep commuting all the way to Yorkshire, is an even better move for him. It's highly possible, with all these benefits, that he has been prepared to take a hit in terms of his salary for one year - especially as when he takes up his full-time coaching reins, a year after that, Wigan can afford to be generous to him.

It's also a matter of opinion whether or not that cap space is 'being wasted'. Like it or not, we need cover in the halves. An alternative might have been to promote Joe Mellor into the first team squad, but personally I think he's too young. Give Mellor another year, and he'll be fine - until then Deacs will provide more-than-adequate cover. And if it does put pressure on the likes of Riddell to get his act together, then you won't hear any complaints from me.

Just got home now and read what's going on and it seems like a good deal for the club and Paul, he'll provide cover for the first year while assisting with coaching throughout his duration here. He'll add to are already healthy backroom staff roster as well.

Hopefully we might see a bit of Mellor as well this year, he's really impressed in the game's I've seen him in hopefully with a little help from Deacs he'll flourish even more.

Just a prop to go now and were set, Adam Blair I'll do nicely me thinks.

Great news I believe.

Can someone explain to me how this works though? Is his salary split or fully against the cap. If it is split (god knows how) then he might not be a top 25 earner and therefore count to the cap?

Blair would do nicely but I have a feeling we won't sign another forward or another player for that matter.

IMO we went for Deacon as:

- he was cheap enoug
- We couldn't/can't afford to pay big wages

Which is why IMO, we won't see another new signing unless one of our players leaves first.

I'm happy with the Deacon signing for one season, any longer and I'd be questioning it.

It could be they pay him dirt cheap this year and whack his wages up the next two when he hangs up the boots. Who knows? Who cares in all honesty. They've said he can play, so he'll play.

pointless in my opinion
surely we can attract someone better, hes to injury prone

Just hoping that as good a move as it is he does not take cap space away stopping the signing of a prop.

Having said that IL never fails to come up with something and the way he has gone about the back room staff in the last month I would not be suprised if we could not get a prop in somehow.

I take it you didn't bother reading the article.

We've not signed him as a key player though. He's not replacing anyone so I don't see why you can call the signing pointless? He offers us two options, a kicking game (which we didn't have in any shape last season) and an alternative goal kicker. For me he could help mould Sam Tomkins into an even better player next season. If Sam can add a quality kicking game to his nifty footwork then he can be the complete half back.

As an assistant coach. Only one year is as a player.