On a more serious note, I think we have recruited well generally. James just looks like a back up experienced squad player. He clearly isn't going to be a central figure in the team but his experience will come in useful at times next year. We have a young pack, so this makes sense to me, especially as I imagine he isn't taking up much cap space.

I'd hardly call Powell an experienced prop. Compared to him James' signing is a master stroke. However, what interests me the most is watching those who slated you re the Powell signing doing the same thing here, having conveniently forgotten how they told us all what an enforcer Powell was going to be. Having someone like you on here Dave makes it easy for them. They can forget the rubbish they posted back then and focus on you for having the temerity to voice a contrary opinion.

It would be more impressive if it wasn't always the same opinion, i.e. the club's made another massive mistake.

I bet other fans wished their clubs made as many mistakes as ours.

Undoubtably. We get way more right than wrong but Dave cops it for always having the same opinion whereas those who always hold a contrary opinion are safe in the mob. I'm just adding a much needed element of perspective IMO.

and so continues the world of wigan warriors where everything is black or white.

in reality eric was a decent prop who did an OK job, and was nowhere near as bad as the doom mongers would have had us believe. he was never going to be a 'marquee signing', but he did a job in a team that did the double last year. but hey, in the current climate people are only ever allowed to be brilliant or shiiiite. apparently there is no room anymore for balance.

the Andy Powell situation is a shame. he showed glimpses in his short tenure that IF he had put in the required effort, he could have been a real impact player, adding a dimension that has been missing from our game for a while. the fact that he has the mental fortitude and self-control of a teenager still, is a real shame. the Club took a gamble and has cut its losses as soon as the situation become apparent that it was not winnable. what is wrong with that ???? In reality AP has lost more than us on this, and RL benefited from the column inches when he signed. His departure will hardly make any news.

I would rather have a chair and manager that are prepared to take sensible, controlled gambles and re-assess when appropriate, than the policies that were followed pre-IL, when we either threw the kitchen sink at a few highly paid players with no depth to complement them, or brought in huge numbers of absurd 2nd raters who stopped our own youngsters from getting a game.

Sport management is NOT an exact science, but the current management team have as good a record as anyone else in SL.

I don't totally disagree with him on the James signing. On paper it's hardly impressive, but let's be honest - the guy's come as an experienced back-up, and nothing more. And is probably on peanuts. It doesn't mean we won't bring a bigger name in if one comes available.

It's not even an especially new thing. The all-star Wigan team of the late '80s signed back-up players like Mickey Dean and Steve Nicholson, who were complete unknowns and were never likely to figure very much, and it didn't cause a ripple because people recognised those signings for what they were. We ought to view it in that light instead of automatically assuming it's an error of judgement (which is what Dave appears to do).

1. Where have I mentioned Eric?
2. Read my subsequent response to Cruncher on this very thread.
3. I agree about the "black and white" bit, but probably not in the way you do.

I agree Dave is wrong about James. He was right about Powell though.

of course he's a super star, he's been on 'take me out'

There seems to be an awful lot of debate on what is quite clearly a squad signing...especially as he showed up well in the world cup and is hardly going to break the bank! Seems like a reasonable piece of business to me.

As long as he does better than the last time he played for us.

I wouldn't go as far as desperation but I can see what you're getting at, did SW panic and bring in the first available prop? Maybe. Maybe not. His judgement hasn't been far wrong in the past few seasons so I think he's earned the right to be trusted.

Regarding Hansen I think he left as we do have sufficient cover in the back row department (plus a mega money offer from $alford) but having said that in an ideal world he would still be a Wigan player.