I just don't see us signing Richardson because as other people have said he just isn't a Wigan type signing.
Even if Field doesn't come back I just cannot believe we would sign him.
In an emergency Powell could cover 7 so personally I don't see a HB coming in unless one of the Aussies under contract do not return.
We have more pressing concerns at centre and arguably prop.

I'd honestly rather have Hampshire or Mellor.

Danny Richardson?

What the fresh hell is this?

Read a thread on the independent Cas forum saying they’d agreed to let Gaz O’Brien move elsewhere. I wouldn’t be overly keen on him either but I’d take him above Richardson.

I can’t think of a halfback I’d want less than Richardson tbh, so it doesn’t say much for O’Brien or anyone else.

I’d rather sign none and wait for the right signing rather than sign from a selection of rejects.

We surely just do that over Richardson. I’m not having it that Rads, Lenagan and Wane seriously think Richardson is the answer and that they don’t think anything better will come along before the end of 2022. They may need to shuffle the quota round a bit to make it happen mid season but it gives breathing space and time for opportunities to crop up. I just can’t see anything in it.

Wonder what Brett Kenny is up to these days? We do have a propensity to re-sign former players and he’d do a better job than Richardson

Put Briers through pre season, if he survives I'd give him a playing contract before Richardson

I’m reasonably confident there is nothing in this but if there was, Lenagan always says he reads the forums, so I think the message about Richardson is pretty clear from the masses- DO NOT DO IT! Save the cash and stick with what we have. The lad isn’t good enough to play for Wigan or any other top superleague side.

I'd be more worried if he listens to fans about signings tbh.

In 99% of cases I absolutely agree (although he is only a fan himself) but not this one. As I say I reckon it’s a none event anyway but on the off chance it’s not, he’d be doing himself a favour by saving a few quid and doing the club a favour by not signing a player clearly not good enough for Wigan or most sides across the league.

I called Richardson out as a over hyped flash in the pan within a few months of his Saints debut and have seen plenty to strengthen my view.

I take it that you have seen him with your own eyes and the information wasn't given to you by a blind man on a galloping horse?

If the coaching staff wants him.....the coaching staff gets him.

IL's opinion should only come into it regarding the salary cap and who we can and can't afford.

There's nothing in it.

Jamie Ellis

We know that isn’t how it’s worked in the past though. Rads and Lenagan have selected and signed the players and handed them to the coaching staff. Now that may have changed and if it has and Wane has suggested him, I could maybe just about understand it (although he’s still shocking) but who knows.

Good

Not how it was explained at the forum

It has been in the past, so maybe it’s changed. They’ve said they identify the players as well as signing them. The coach hasn’t been in charge of going to them with a list of targets although they have said they consider their input.

Ultimately it doesn’t really matter. I’m happy all of them have more about them than to waste money on Danny Richardson. It has to be a none story. I’d back them with pretty much any signing. I haven’t bagged any of the other new lads, I can see exactly why each one has been signed but this would make no sense whatsoever.

I don't think I've missed a fans forum
I've never heard that

If the club were to sign Richardson, they would be signing a player who is no better or worse than Josh Woods who was released.

So the coach picks the targets then?

I missed the last forum but have been at every other one before that and it’s certainly not how I’ve ever interpreted what they say. I recall one forum where Lenagan explained how him and Radlinski have a document of which players contracts run out when, which academy lads are coming through in certain positions, who they expect could step up and they discuss targets well in advance of going for them.

Mitch Clark, Joe Bullock and Jarrod Sammut for starters weren’t the coaches picks surely?

Sammut was brought in specifically at Lam's request

Nope
Not solely
And I do believe Jarrod Sammut was Adrian Lam's pick

Below has always been my understanding
Coach, Assistant coaches,Scouts etc. etc. all bring suggestions to the table - Players are discussed and proposals put forward to Senior Management
Areas of requirements are discussed by Senior management & Coaching staff and people are tasked with looking into those situations and again info fed back into the Senior management

What is categorically NOT DONE in the simplistic way put forward, is KR & IL just pick a player and sign him

Ultimately there is a budget that sits behind everything and KR is in charge of that budget
Of Course he will say we have a list of academy players coming through and contracts etc. what else are they supposed to say - We have no idea who's on what contract and for how long?

The explanation they gave at the last fans forum also explains why it has to be a more nuanced approach than "The coach picks a player and signs him".

Heaven forbid the club would be as professional as this. You know it's more fun believing IL just spins a dice and hopes for the best.