But even if this guesswork-based assumption that the club is well below the cap were true, we'd be unlikely to be far enough below it to sign the modern equivalent of Ellery Hanley.

I understand where you're coming from - we want the best players in the world in Wigan shirts, but releasing the likes of Bailey wouldn't free up that kind of money.

Don't get me wrong. I think his time should be up at Wigan, likeable guy though he seems to be - I'd like someone better. But the days of signing the likes of Ellery are sadly gone.

The only reason Hanley's name came up was as an example of letting a better player than Bails go if it was right for the team.

As to the days of signing a player like him again being gone that is a different issue and any debate about that it would depend if you mean no RL team could do that or just Wigan.

Dave

Apologies. I miss-read Phuzz's post. Thought he was talking about [usigning[/u players like Hanley - which I feel would be a non-starter for most SL teams in the age of the cap, but as you say, that's another issue.

We are not making any signings for next season so we may aswell keep as
much squad depth as possible.

Ian Lenagan has not said that we will not be making any signings for next year.
The last time I heard him speak on the matter he said that "We have not made any signings for next year but that does not mean we will not be making any".
It's five months before the start of next season.

There is that but how long a contract would you give him - just the one season?

He may want longer and then there is the injury to consider.

Also players may become available mid-season and signing him up may mean we would not be able to move for them.

If the club re-sign him it has got to be because they think he fits in with the club plans not as some sort of stop gap or because we may as well IMO.

Dave

FLANAGAN INSPIRED BY AUSSIE OPPORTUNITY

[urlhttp://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/09/09/22/RUGBYL_Column.html[/url


"I probably would have re-signed with Wigan if I had the chance but I wasn't getting a chance at the time and there wasn't much contact from them in terms of a new contract so I started to look elsewhere,"

Prior to his injury a 1 year deal would have been fully deserved, but at his age and our current strength in the backrow i personally think it would be a poor move.

It took Locky 2 years to recover from such an injury fully, Bailey has many more miles on the clock and sadly his age is against him, if we are turning down the chance to go for O'Meley because he has dodgey knees then the same surely applies to re-signing our own.

Personally I would give him a 1 year deal, I doubt he would reject given his injury status IMO.

You do have some very valid points but we could wait and see if a decent player becomes available, but if not and we get hit with lots of injuries mid-season then we would struggle with one less player.

I can't really blame Wigan for not rushing into an extended contract for a backrow forward at the age of 21 that hadn't cracked the first team and hadn't(from what i read) looked anything overly amazing in the u21's(he believe he has been good for the reserves but not a real standout like Sam was).

We also had more options in that backrow at the time with Hock playing and Bailey fit so it's not really something we can blame Wigan for.

He's taken to the first team like a duck to water which has been great to see and hopefully he can take that confidence with him to Australia and have a good dig over there.

His exit should hopefully give Liam Farrell a crack who when i've seen him looks an even better player and a really exciting prospect.

They already did in Isa Soliola

he's supposed to be a replacement for lyon, on field and cap-wise, alledgedly

He said on GMR on friday we wont be signing anyone.

Which makes the choice of coach even more critical.

Next season

Smith
Hock
Bailey (probably)

will be off the cap compared to this season. Even with upgrades for the likes of Sam T and other youngsters I'm struggling to see us not having space, which begs the question - why is Lenagan saying we will not be signing anyone, especially given the obvious gaps in a couple of key positions?

He wants the club to make a profit?

I' sure any saving on cap save will be more than offset by a reduction in gate monies if we go with what's we've got.

Surley IL will have to spend money to make money?
Trophies = bigger crowds, shirt sales, merchandise... Ect

Perhaps IL is pretty certain he'll get McGuire as coach.
If so they will have discussed the squad in depth by now. It may be McGuire has said he'd prefer to go with what we've got rather than bring in players on 3 year deals who he very soon may not want in his squad.
The win/loss ratio in the 2nd half of the season has been good and if a new coach can get us off to a good start then next season a top four finish could well be possible.

i can see your point but it does save on signing on fees etc i suppose.

I think he will save any space to maybe pull another Gleeson out of the bag.

Its better to see who the new coach wants really.

Bailey will be staying though.

I'm fine with Bailey staying for one more season as long as it's only that, and if it is only a 1 year deal that point's to me once again that 2011 will be a big recruitment season.

It looks as though 2010 will be a big year for sorting out the coaching staff and 2011 will have a similar feel but this time will be focused on sorting out the playing squad.
Who knows by 2015 we may be ready to win something

Woah steady on now don't get too ahead of yourself!

I think 2035 is more realistic

Sorry to rain on your parade, but that's the year of the Wolf.

BTW: Is Carmont staying?, has anything been annouced?