Leeds have had such success in winning Grand Finals over the last few years by keeping the team together. Why can't Wigan ?

In my opinion the turn-over of players is far too great at the moment. If you lose your best prop and best half-back then you will only weaken the side.

I wouldn't assume that we haven't got compensation. The original newspaper said something like "Lima has managed to secure his release", which to me suggests that a bit of horse-trading went on. Of course, it's only newpaper talk.

Not great news management and sorry to see him go, but this is not a disaster.

We will have plenty of cash to get a new prop.

While I see why people are annoyed at how it's come about, I stand by what I said yesterday about players leaving. If they do it this year, so be it, as it gives us a year's head start on the Leeds and Warringtons of the league who will be replacing en masse shortly.

Plus, as long as Wane is in charge, I'll not be worried about the state of our front row.

It's a bit of a murky world this press release etc.
Wigan probably agreed with Souths not to release the story until some arranged time. The press got hold of it and the clubs were left picking up the pieces.
Wigan may well have a replacement in line but again could have agreed with the player and his club not to release details of his departure until much later in the season.
It can and sometimes does happen like that.

It maybe we've signed a half back replacement for Tommy but are not giving out details until later in the season. You just never know do you?

Exactly and if contracts are not worth the paper they are written on how come we are supposed to have a watertight one with Sam T?



Madge has been unethical. Would he like us to induce one of his contracted players out to break his contract early?



These are all the reasons why IL has screwed up completely here by not enforcing the contract. As others have said Lima hardly looks upset at being here. Given he only had another year to go even if Lima spat the dummy out he would have been an ideal player to make an example of. Unlike Joel who had years left to run on his deal Lima with only 12 months left could have sat on the sidelines for a season if that meant players, agents and coaches go the message Wigan isn't a soft touch when it comes to contracts, which under IL it clearly is.

With Wigan, no you don't. In this case with Souths, you do.

Other clubs have absolutely no problem with announcing new signings and clearly don't give a stuff what Wigan think so the fact we have not announced anyone leads to the conclusion we have not signed anyone. Including re-signing Finch.

There is absolutely no reason to bury good news. None. Certainly not the sensibilities of other clubs.

The excuse we may have agreed with player and club to say nowt is very tired and pretty ridiculous when every club who takes a a player from us announces it in the press as soon as they can. IL gains nothing by keeping quiet and just annoys the fans. But I suspect the reason for silence is as I said because we have not signed anyone.

Surely your not thinking of playing Wane in the front row ?

He was good in his time.

But I would suggest he is a bit 'past it' now.

Back on track though.

I am another that feels let down by these southern hemisphere players, just walking out of their contractual obligations.

A lot of comments on here seem to be reactionary, somewhat knee-jerk in light of Lima's departure. Personally regardless of numerous comments on here I still have faith in IL, and why wouldn't I have faith considering all the well calculated positive implementations he's developed since he took over. Granted not everything has been plain sailing, however that's business, thats life.

I am happy with our squad and development of Wigan lads led by a Wigan coach, not just any Wigan coach but an excellent Wigan coach who as excelled at all levels of his development. Currently we are progressing nicely in both competitions-we are doing well.

Lima on paper seems like a big loss, but lets not react to the transfer until we know the bigger picture, IL could have something planned that will ease the pain of losing one of our quality props.

Even if no one is signed-which could actually be a good thing, we have all the potential to develop some of our current players to be even better than Lima is today, sharing the cap out with tact amongst a 'Wigan' team.

IMO Hansen could step up and become a good workhorse prop. And lets face it, he won't be doing a runner anytime soon...

Apart from Hull signing Ellis and Catalan signing Zeb Taia what other signings have been announced?

Oh, Ian Thornley to Wigan, does that count?

Front Row is Wigans strongest position, Mossop, Prescott, Lauaki, Dudson, Spencer, Flower, Crosby, and Fielden (if he recovers) Then there is Greg Burke out on loan who is a tremendous prospect.

We do need to get the halfback position sorted and maybe centre to replace George though.

Can't work out if I want to see Lima benched or run into the ground. Probably the latter. Take him off the rotation policy send him to South's with miles more tread taken off his tires.

Or, forget about next year, focus on the 2 trophies we're fighting for and keep him doing what he's done so far this year which is clearly working well. He may be off to Souths next year, but until Wigan finish our season, he's ours and that should be the only concern in relation to how he plays.

Exactly.

Not as if he's been like some of the others and started going to the press saying he wants out, if anything I think it's a huge credit to Lima (+ agent) that this was such a suprise. I know there was a few leaks a couple of days before but on the whole it caught everyone off guard.

Makes you wonder how many other players Maguire is going to try and persuade to leave us - where does it stop? Would he like Sam and Josh for starters and maybe a few others along the way? Don't get me wrong I thought Maguire was brilliant for us in his first year but things changed dramatically for me when he got his new job part way through season 2. Players didn't get rotated in the same way and the team sometimes looked like Noble had picked it, it was also clear that he spent a goodly part of the remainder of his time with us recruiting new players for himself rather than concentrating on us - maybe that is a bit OTT on my part but I'm sure most of you will know what I mean - he made an art form out of being an opportunist. The funny thing about Jeff Lima to me is that he seems to have played much much better under Wane than he ever did under Maguire but if he wants to go then so be it, no point in trying to hang on to folk who don't want to play for us

Wigan have been aware of his intention for some time. On the plus side (there is always one) its our strongest position and it releases money and an over seas spot that both can be used filling a position we are not as strong in. Its about the team not individuals, that's a route we have been down before!