Taylor and Dudson to go. Think Patrick and Mossop in for those two is an improvement. Would have liked Taylor to stay but he obviously doesn't want to be here and we did ok without him for half of the season.

He didnt play the end fo the season anyway did he, is assumed he was gone anyway

Flower, Mossop, Patrick, Tautai, Crosby, Pettybourne, Taylor, Dudson, Sutton, Greenwood - that is 10 props

Taylor and Dudson to go, flower out until April, leaves 7, Sutton and Greenwood to go out on loan?

That leaves 5 props available, Mossop, Eddie, Tautai, Patrick and Crosby.

One by one the lambs are returning to the fold. Just waiting for Sam now.

Great news and to be fair, proof that Ian Leneghan has lived up to his word. Hope that Lee is fully fit.

But great to have him back.

I wonder if these players would return if we'd taken a tougher stance on their contracts, and as a result had players on our books not wanting to play, and not received a transfer fee for them. . .

Maybe IL does have a clue. . .

nah

Lenegan Out!

I am sure IL would like you to think that and he is (if you see the press release) trying to make out this is all part of the master plan. Well the only reason Lee is back is it hasn't worked out for him over there, not because IL is some sort of wizard with contracts so I hope this is not about an attempt to justify players being let go but a decision made purely on the availability of a good player.

I am sure had Lee been on the way out of Wigan following his shoulder operations there would be a queue forming to say we were well rid justifying the clubs stance on that (as happens whenever a player seems to leave, even minor injuries are exaggerated to justify the clubs actions). It was probably said when Lee went to Oz in the first place.

If his shoulders are fixed he improves the squad and offsets the loss of Taylor if he goes so its good news overall but his return is more to do with good fortune, not good planning.

Players will come back if it is in their interests, not IL's. The argument used when players leave is how can we stand in their way given the challenge of the NRL and its riches so as it is in the players interests to go? Well the same kind of thing applies coming back. They will come back here if it is in [i]their [/interests to do so. Otherwise they won't.

Part of the reason Lee is coming back is that he enjoys it at Wigan and surely that is (partly) down to IL and his staff. He was offered more money by Leeds, who had cleared out Bailey and Kirke to accommodate him.

So don't be so miserable Dave and give IL the pat on the back he deserves!!!

Well of course! However, a major part of 'in their interests' is being at a club that has treated them well in the past. As evidenced by two returning sons in the last 12 months (plus a strong rumour that Sam is thinking along the same lines) don't you accept that IL is doing something right? I think only the churlish would suggest otherwise. The simple fact is we can't compete with the NRL in absolute terms. That's a given. Wigan seem to be striking the right balance when it comes to letting players go though. I remember you saying that the first refusal on these players return was little more than smoke and mirrors. Events have subsequently proven you wrong. It's not a crime to accept and admit this Dave! In this instance IL has shown himself to be a shrewd businessman both in financial terms and in terms of players returning as was promised. I'm not sure how much more you expect of him. Time for credit where it's due, if you ask me.

Assuming we get to keep all the transfer fee we got for him, that's a good piece of business!

If the correct environment hadn't been established then it wouldn't be in their interest in coming back. IL must get some credit for that surely?

I thought it very telling that there were a number of ex Wigan players at the play offs.

Always leave on good terms if possible as you never know when you may meet again. It doesn't guarantee that you will, but it does mean you're likely to have an ongoing relationship in some form if you so.

Alternatively you can try and screw down as much as you can while you have them in your grasp. . .

You are flogging a dead horse. There was nothing surer than that Dave O would respond very quickly, in near knee-jerk fashion, to that previous post of yours.