[quote="Stu M":l00po1i6]Bell is a different type of player really. Its worked well for us when Bell has come off the bench after Knowles has done a really physical 20-30 mins. There's no doubt about it, he'd be a huge loss, he's probably the first name on the teamsheet for me and we really struggled without him last season. Woolf loves him and will undoubtedly make a play. Clearly his head has been turned and who can blame him. Having a young family means he needs to make the most of his career and having won everything in the game, I wouldn't blame him for going. It would certainly be easier to stomach if he went to the NRL and not another SL club. Lees is a funny one too. Again it would be easier to stomach if he went to the NRL but it does seem that the club have an option for 2026. Not sure how it all works whether a club could just pay a fee to break that or not or what will happen. If we lose both though, it leaves huge holes for 2026. That said we will have huge cap space if it happens because Hurrell will be gone (hopefully) probably Mbye, Paasi, Sironen, maybe even Bell. However how do you replace a Lees and Knowles with British replacements. You can't really which then means you are gambling with quota spots. With the Aussies you can get lucky with a Coote, Sironen or Matautia or you can get unlucky with a Blake type of signing. A lot of decisions to be made. Personally I think we've massively taken our eyes off the ball. Whether that's apathy or financial reasons who knows but we need to recruit well.[/quote:l00po1i6] Replacing British players in a nightmare. There just isn't the quality available form this country and then you go overseas and you start tying up quota spots. I do think Saints will retain at least one of Knowles/Lees but we'll see. Maybe one going will help keep the other but to lose both would be a huge blow. I just can't see it though because that is totally against how Saints have managed their roster in recent times. It's very rare players leave who Saints would like to keep.

[quote="Zig":1f7ckf9x]There is a guy ITK on the other Wigan forum, who is very well connected, and he is saying that Knowles to Dolphins and Lees to Wire are done deals.[/quote:1f7ckf9x] I'll believe it when I see it but Lees to Wire makes a lot more sense than us signing him, prop is where they are lacking IMO and bringing in him and Byrne would be perfect. I just can't see Saints letting this happen.

[quote="WWste":4eps3ncm]Jeez that a lot of players. Possibly looking at a further rebuild. What’s McManus said on all this, has he lost interest?[/quote:4eps3ncm] I don't think it's a bad thing, especially considering some of the recent performances from those that are OOC. Should drive some better performances out of those that are playing to secure their future and put us in a position of strength in the market if we are/have been proactive enough to get things done. There are a lot of highly-regarded young players waiting in the wings for an opportunity too, in particular the second year professionals who all impressed with their brief game time last year. Could be quite a bit of transition but that's not to say we shouldn't be competitive if the squad we do have stays fit. Whether the coaching is up to managing all this is another matter entirely however.

[quote="SFW":1d04pbbn]I don't think it's a bad thing, especially considering some of the recent performances from those that are OOC. Should drive some better performances out of those that are playing to secure their future and put us in a position of strength in the market if we are/have been proactive enough to get things done. There are a lot of highly-regarded young players waiting in the wings for an opportunity too, in particular the second year professionals who all impressed with their brief game time last year. Could be quite a bit of transition but that's not to say we shouldn't be competitive if the squad we do have stays fit. Whether the coaching is up to managing all this is another matter entirely however.[/quote:1d04pbbn] Getting underperforming/over the hill players out is great but replacing them is another matter and is even harder if Knowles or Lees (or both left). Every time I think of Wigan signing a player and then look at an OOC list from Superleague, It's startling the lack of British talent that could be available. The best players are already tied up at other clubs. Saints could have plenty of quota spots but that market is far tougher than it's been in the past as well. In short, it's probably the most difficult time I can remember to be going through a major rebuild and I'd imagine the agents of Knowles/Lees probably know that and will be pushing for every last pound they can get for them.

Looking increasingly like Knowles is off to the Dolphins. I don't begrudge him that at all. He's given great service, been here 11 years, won everything there is to win and has the chance to earn some serious wedge and team up with a decent coach again. Lees I believe is definitely being chased by Warrington but Saints are offering him a lucrative deal to keep him.

[quote="Stu M":21ppbj1i]Looking increasingly like Knowles is off to the Dolphins. I don't begrudge him that at all. He's given great service, been here 11 years, won everything there is to win and has the chance to earn some serious wedge and team up with a decent coach again. Lees I believe is definitely being chased by Warrington but Saints are offering him a lucrative deal to keep him.[/quote:21ppbj1i] They would be mad not to. If he goes where does a replacement come from? They will need to offer him marquee money.