Does this mean we now have a player good enough to make the Saints team?

I just don’t see how we keep all these forwards unless someone is leaving. Probably the pessimist in me. Can just see Smithies making way for Thompson

Glad it’s finally announced no point keeping it a secret as most people seemed to have guessed he was on his way,now if it pays off and he returns the player he was when he left to go down under then it’s a hell of a signing but I guess it’s a wait and see I suppose.

I seem to remember a statement a few years ago where he said the only way I would sign for Wigan was if I was short of money, but.....my Dad's a millionaire.
This is the guy who wouldn't take a salary cut during the pandemic, and refused a Covid jab, all sounds a bit me,me, me.
Can't help but think it'll go t*ts up long before the four years are up.

If we look at the picture over the next 3-5 years and who Wigan would expect to lose compared to Saints, there is no doubt who would look to have the bigger rebuild job on. If I listed our best 6-8 players, I’d say only Farrell from that list is over the age of 30 going in to 2024 (he’ll be 33) If I listed Saints best 6-8 players, one in Roby is retiring, his replacement is 31, Makinson will be 32, Lomax 33, Walmsley 33, Paasi 32, Sironen 30 and Welsby/Dodd have been linked with the NRL.

Now we could lose Field/French as well over time but the older guys like Cooper and Isa aren’t players we’re hugely reliant on, so the core of the squad should be settled and many of the players are yet to hit their peak years. Saints have found one gem in Delaney to add to that player pool and cushion any exits but finding replacements internally or externally for guys like Makinson, Lomax, Walmsley or somebody like Welsby would be nigh on impossible because they’ve been that good.

People are wondering why we have signed so many props,, the week we go into a playoff game down our 3 of our best props.


Exciting time to be a Wigan fan at the minute.

Hope Thompson is given time and hope he kills it for us.

He wanted to much money if you get the Thompson who played for Saints he'll be a great signing if you get the Bulldogs version!!
Plus he left Saints on very bad terms refused to take a pay cut to during covid

How much did he want? So what you are saying is that Saints have the money but were not willing to spend it on Thompson as they thought he wasn’t value for money? If true, it will be interesting to see how they choose to spend it.

As for the falling out, that is water under the bridge. Why cut your nose off to spite your face?

It’s not finished yet.

We are likely to see a number of teams (especially the big players) complete signings as they attempt to close the gap on Saints. The big elephant in the room though is, can Saints maintain their previous standards? A large chunk of their team will need to be replaced over the next few seasons (Makinson, Percival, Lomax, Walmsley and Clark who are all federation trained) are all coming towards the end of their careers and it is not going to be easy to replace them with the same quality. Thompson, who would have counted £50k against the salary cap was an obvious choice. They are going to have to make Welsby a marquee player otherwise he will be off. Some tough decisions ahead for our neighbours.

Some of those lads will be gone in the next one/two years, it is all about building for the medium/long term. Some Saints fans on Redvee have stated that they should be sniffing around Nsembe and Hill but they are unaware that Junior has signed a new contract and that Harvie will seen be offered an extended deal. We don’t want to burn these lads out hence retaining players with more experience for next season. Lads, like Delaney, will be playing more regularly but that is a needs must decision and one that could impact on the lad’s long term potential. Rotating our pack seems a sensible way forward.

Same as Wigan are alledgly paying him.
As for the falling out lets just say it still rankles with some Saints players

How much is that then? Which Saints players?