I disagree with every one of those assessments, except the one about Goulding.

None of the injuries - as far as I'm aware - are serious (and if they are, that provides yet another reason why the players concerned might leave). Tim Smith was taken on by Wigan despite his well documented problems. His talent is undeniable; it's his attitude that sucks - there's many a coach who might fancy his chances of reining that in (especially if Smith is presented to him as a cheap option).

But what we were talking about was whether the players themselves might want to leave. I still see no reason why any of the above four would have a burning desire to stay at Wigan. Phelps, Mathers and Smith have all been lambasted by the fans - Smith has had his every move spied upon and reported back to message boards like this, while none of the four seem to figure in Noble's plans. Why not look for pastures new under those circs?

I agree!

Anyway, does anyone know what time the press conference is?

Mathers will end up at wire as Tony Smith wants him and Mathers likes Smith as a coach.

Also believe we are close to agreeing a fee for Gleeson with a 2 player swap as well.

Have been told time and time again Goulding is going playing for a Yorkshire club if this is permanent or on loan i dont know.

I was told it was on loan, but that may have changed with the events of the past week.

If it is on loan, the anti-IL lobby on the other forum will have a communal seizure. What will they have to whinge about then?

Will they suddenly decide that Phelps and Mathers were also indispensible?

I do hope its on loan we have lost to many youngsters in the past. I believe from what i am told we would need to send another player out on loan to fit Gleeson under our cap space 2 players out and 2 on loan are a lot of players just to fit in 1 new player but if the loan players are our younger players who are no getting first team action and they come back better for it it will be worth it.

Will there be room under the cap to enable them to return?

Would think so there are players leaving at the end of the season

Problem is, Wigan players are overrated by Wigan fans. We aren't very good, I was surprised when a number of people on these boards expected us to beat Hudders.. I honestly couldn't see why.

By arguing back you back up my point, the only stat you need to consider is the Win Loss stat, and ours or poor. Coach isn't to be blamed for players knocking on or throwing a forward pass or giving away pens for simple errors, such responsibility lies with the players.

Tim Smith-Been one of the worst 7's in the SL this season. Stop banging on about his undoubted skill, when it clearly is doubtable, people would sooner refer to the ONE good season he had in Oz rather than look at how he's playing this minute. He offers little in attack and is terrible in def. Don't bother with stats or how he used to play, look at him on game day.

Mathers-I feel sorry for him. But we have to be more ruthless. He has had opportunity time and time again and let us down. At his age he should be able to deal with pressure etc. When do we turn around and say, these players are simply not good enough.

Phelps-Maybe should have had a run out at 6, but too weak for a centre, not quick enough for a winger. Brought from the otherside of the world, we've got better in our own back yard!

Hansen-Doesn't cut it, players like him and O Carroll are a 'blind-side' for Wigan fans, because standards have slipped so much we actually think these players are good enough to play for Wigan. Hansen plods along offering nothing in attack. And some fans go crazy for him cos he can tackle, get with the programme, to be worthy of a first team spot a second rower needs to be able to run at the line causing problems, can smash but can also step and offload, can interlink their passing with the centres to create an overlap. Ask yourself this When Hansen gets the ball, do you ever really think he's going to do something with it? or just plot at the line then take the tackle.
Look at JJB, Gilmore, Wilkin, Hock, Ellis, Luittui (sp Leeds SR) Wild, Lockers, Joel Tomkins, Manu, how they attack in comparison, there is no comparison!!

O Carroll?- Good? Come on, an average prop by SL standards. Too small, I've seen him actually thrown on the floor. A PROP!!

Roberts-If he was so good, why did he Aussie club see fit to release him a year before his contracted ended? Cos they would sooner have room on their cap than have him in their squad. (Alarm bells!!!) He's not good enough to keep so what do we do? Offer him a 4yr deal at 28.
So far his attitude stinks.

Riddell-Not sure about his contract in Oz but I know St George got rid cos of his weight issues and how he failed to maintain a weight that would bring the most of our his game. We've played 8 games now, and as a Aussie pro he's had 1 good game in 8.

People could defend him, but lets look after our club, not defend the players who let it down.

Signings...

Richards(Sooner have him on the wing, but don't have someone better who can play FB sums up our squad)
Pryce or Roberts (Both are in contention not cos are both playing well, but cos both have major issues, lesser of two evils rather than cos they're both excellent, not good)
Gleeson (Not officially signed yet) Good player thou.
Carmont
Ainscough-Needs to work on his defense.
Sam Tomkins (Good, but young needs help in the halves, can't do what an experienced Trent Barrett did yet)
Tommy LuLu (SIGNING NEEDED) Tommy's a good player at 9, by now we should realise he, like other players is only playing in his position cos he's the best of a bad bunch, not exactly perfect system)
Fielden (SIGNING NEEDED) Had an overall terrible career at Wigan
Riddell (Tommy should be our main no.9) Riddell needs kicking into gear a.s.ap
Coley "(SIGNING NEEDED) Overall, like Fielden, had a crap Wigan career
Hock So hot and cold. will be better behind a stronger front row
Tomkins (not a SR a 13) look how much better he was last season when playing 13, far better than Lockers
Lockers We all know he's not a Capt, but once again he's probably capt cos there's no one else better to take the arm band. Almost captain by default. A massive issue which reflects on the field. Needs moving to SR, let him be the tackle machine. Something gotta be done when his selection at 13 is actually preventing Tomkins from playing his best.
----------------------
Feka No issues, awesome when on the field, needs to come off the bench after 20, do 20 till HT, use HT as a rest, come back on and do another 20, then off for the last 20.
Prescott-Just needs more game time. Will be good. One of the four props in rotation.
McClorum-Is he going to be good enough> top class? I'm unsure.
Hansen-Had it chance.

Team

NEW FB
Richards Gleeson Carmont Ainscough
S Tomkins NEW 7
NEW 8 Tommy NEW 10
Hock Lockers
Joel Tomkins
-----------------
Feka, Riddell, Prescott Farrell

*One enforcer prop and capt material, one impact prop to do 20 spells with Feka.
Farrell looks by far the best of the young backrowers

SELL

Phelps
Bailey
Mathers
Fielden
Coley
Goulding
Hansen
O Carroll
Smith

Time to cut the dead wood. And win some trophies.

If only it was that easy.

To be fair I agree with most of it. Maybe with the exception of Hansen. Everyone needs an average work horse in the team, ever team has one. If Bailey wasn't in the centres, he would probably be it, but our options are so poor there we have to change it in other areas.

Don't need any 'Average' players. For that role we have Lockers.

Never know an announcement to be made in a Morning Yet they are usually don in the afternoon

I was stunned to the point of full blow shock

Key area of signing is a prop, I'd like two.

Enforcer and Impact to do the 20min spells with Feka.

The most important would be a 60 min enforcer prop with Captain leadership qualities.

Hard to find, but what is needed. Probably this is how we use our CAP money and overseas quota spot. I think the Aussies overall, do produce this time of player better than we do.

Despite his age I think Wiki (if he could have been fitted into the CAP) would have been ideal.