King looked slow, sluggish and ineffective last night (pretty standard for his 2021) - pretty clear though from Peet's comments that Wigan also feel he's in poor form at the moment and are backing themselves to get the best out of him.

Fair play to the club, as Jukes said earlier in the week, they think there's potential there and are backing themselves to get him back to his best. I have no doubt that we'll improve him, very few players come to us these days and don't show some improvement.

That being said, I don't think he's that good. It might be hyperbole, but imo, he's another on a long list of overrated Wire players.

Over the years we've had to listen to "this players the next big thing" speech for guys like Patton, Currie, Ben Harrison, Philbin and they quite simply didn't live up to it. King, imo, is another of those.

I will give you Patton and Harrison, Sarge. I think it was pretty clear to everyone else that they weren't going to make it. Currie to be fair looked outstanding before his numerous injuries but now is just completely shot and won't tackle with any gusto. Philbin looked like he was going to be a superb second row/prop too at one point prior to his first England call up. King looked like the real deal to me in his 'form' season. Good in the air, strong, good tackler and capable of getting over the line but for whatever reason, players at Warrington make a good start then all always seem to just down tools for whatever reason.

You should have seen him when he first arrived at Hudds! His fitness is well below the rest of the Huddersfield squad. He’s currently still catching up. I do think that has impacted greatly on his ability to perform at the expected standard. I expect he will perform better given the right pre season.
My thinking is wardle has signed for wigan……. But not for next year….. for 2024. Might explain why Watson is not happy with wardle. Wigan won’t have to pay a fee that way. That would also explain the king loan signing for a year as a stopgap. And explain why Huddersfield and wire have had the words this week and have announced they are taking wardle back for next season.

Hadnt thought of it that way, sounds plausable

It sounds plausible but then where would they fit Bibby in (as rumoured)?

Wigan signing Wardle for 2024 would mean we’ve made an illegal approach would it not?! Watson doesn’t strike me as somebody who would let that lie and he’d have plenty to say on the matter I’m sure. He had plenty to say on being interested in Bibby in the week leading up to the challenge cup final, which I thought was interesting timing.

He cannot sign for anyone for 23 or 24 without permission from Huddersfield as he is under contract.

My take on it is the rift became too much between player and coach and his agent was allowed to offer him to other clubs. This is when he signed with Wigan. No mention of a fee from anyone I’ve spoken to but they could have come to an agreement. No point in having a player who doesn’t want to play for your club and is creating issues sat on the cap not playing.

I am still very much of the opinion Wardle signing for Wigan coincided with his England selection and also instigated the swap deal between him and King.

I'm thinking Wardle was sulking he wasnt playing and so Huddersfield allowed him to talk to other clubs. Wigan and Wire were interested, but Wigan were not prepared to pay a fee, naturally he'd rather go to wigan than wire so Wardles agent agreed a signature for 2024 with Wigan and arranged a loan with Wire with King going the other way. Wire then messed up the 2023 deal by loaning king out to wigan.
Makes sense really.

Wardle had issues over a number of things at Hudds.

It wasn’t just about not playing it had a lot to do with the future plans for him and the side of the field Watson wanted him to play going forward.

There were other issues too but all stemmed really from that.

This isn’t speculation this is 100% absolute fact.

Unless there is a major change in the contract situation with Wigan and a major climb down by either player or coach at Hudds he won’t be playing at the Giants next year….in my opinion, and from what I’ve been told, all be it a good few weeks ago now.

So basically he wasn’t prepared to play for the team? Sounds like an attitude problem. He happily took the number three shirt, but wasn’t happy to play there. Definitely an attitude problem.

It’s amazing how many players with attitude problems go on to thrive in different environments.

It’s nearly always when players are leaving these attitude problems happen.

Maybe a coach could have handled a situation in a much better way before seeing one of their prized assets walk away from the club.

It’s amazing how this story has developed so far and interesting to see a fans reaction to it by the 3 clubs involved.

Will keep watching with interest as it develops.

I'm sure Hudds/Watson will let him go then?
Wouldn't want a bad egg in the happy camp would you ?

I got a text on the 10th of June saying Wardle was replacing Bibby at Wigan (from a wire fan). Same source which got Cooper to Wigan before the media (and the prophet Dan).

But I reckon something has changed.

Wire only have Matautia as a senior centre for next year

Hudds will have Naqiarma (spel), Bibby and Cudjoe.

Wigan will have King, Thornley, Halsall.

Nene McDonald to Leeds, Leautele to Catalans/Leigh.

IMO looking at this Wardle to wire permanent makes sense.

I don’t see him going to Wire.

I’ve heard Giants are looking at Marsters from Wests also.

Wire have a huge chunk of cap wrapped up in the pack at the moment.

Something has to give somewhere.