I particularly enjoyed the Peet vs. Wellens discussion.

Peet was our most successful academy coach ever winning 6 out of 7 grand finals and has worked his way all the way up through our system to get to the head coach role, proving himself and impressing his peers along the way. A very similar path to Wane who was also a very successful coach. That is 2 of our 3 coaches from the last 10 years who have come through the same pathways and have gone on to win multiple pieces of silverware at professional level. It's almost like there is a formula that is working at play here



But disregard all that because he never played at a professional level and Wellens did, it is like they learned nothing from Cunningham!

They have been for a while tbh but fair play for pointing it out

In Stone please

Nearly 16

Props win pots. Simple as that.

You can get by with makeshift centres/wingers as we have done in the past. You cannot get by with makeshift props.

Dupree Byrne Havard, Ellis, Mago and Thompson are the core props.

Cooper I don’t foresee getting many games and retiring after this season (is that harsh?). I’d imagine his experience will be good for the group.

Hill and Eseh are not ready for regular first team rugby. A loan move for both would be ideal.

Chan is the only one who looks a strange signing. I’ve never seen him play. He’s not in the Catalans team (was he injured?). 23 years old but we’ve given him a 3 year deal. I don’t see where he fits but who knows he could turn out to be the best of the lot.

2 years plus one year option in favour of the club. Saints offered him more money so I can only assume that he signed for Wigan for another reason

Fantastic. They are deluded, especially Magic.

Red Vee TV has tweeted they didn’t want him and it was always Wigan he was signing for but because The Game Caller (Mick Gledhill) said he was signing for Saints, people now think we’ve got one over them and we haven’t.

Honest guv

You just couldn’t make it up. They have tried to downplay every signing we have made. I wonder if they will be saying the same in a few years time?

Won't let me quote Zig but how do you know that Saints offered him more money? Were you part of the negotiations or has Eseh or his agent actually said that? I'd love to know.

I can't wait to see the team we put out for the 1st game of the preseason. With it normally being the academy, or reserves we're going to see some serious young talent. It's almost scary to list them...

Eseh, Hill, Nesemba, Chan, Farrimond, Eckersley, Douglas - maybe Walters and Hampshire too?

Just seen the lad’s interview on Wigan tv and I suspect that he will impress in preseason and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s pushing for a place in the first squad sooner rather than later.
Can’t wait to see him in the cherry&white shirt putting himself about on the field.

Agreed brilliant interview on the site.

Eseh, Chan and Hill to get “Wigan fit” for a year then replace Isa, Cooper and maybe Mago.

No I wasn’t involved in the negotiations but I know someone who was. You will no doubt remember that I told you that Eseh was signing for Saints has they had made a better offer. I am now informed that he has decided to sign for Wigan, on less money, because he is impressed by what Wigan have to offer, the future planning they have in place, their reputation for promoting from within and their plans for his personal development.

Yeah makes sense. We've won nothing in years, have a poor record of developing players and rarely promote from within.

No wonder he didn't sign for us.

I can only tell you what I know. That is not my view! He may have an eye on the future not the past. Maybe Rads and Peet are more appealing than Wellens and Rush. He may prefer the facilities at Wigan I don’t know but what I do know is that money didn’t do the talking! Don’t be bitter Stu you have had your 15 minutes of fame now it looks like it is someone else’s turn.

It could be any number of things Zig. He or his family may like the family and community first feel of the club. I think it fair to say that currently we do that better than anyone else. He may also be taking a 'jam tomorrow' approach to the early part of his career. He may simply see a club on the rise and want to be a part of that. There are numerous reasons someone would choose one club over another, particularly at the beginning of their career.

I agree and whatever reason it may be it is not because he is money motivated.

Rhinos fan in peace: gutted you guys have snagged Eseh (and Walters I still have tears), but happy he’s gone to you rather than Saints. Leeds must have been in for him as well and he’s from Leeds but hey.

You have some pack next year, I really like Peet he’s a top bloke so good luck.

McDonnell has been awesome for Leeds so thanks for that one at least.

He won't let you down that's for sure.

I heard that after negotiations with Saints his driver went through Parr on the way home and it swung the deal in our favour.

From what I’ve been told the facilities at Robin Park are a massive draw for a lot of players.

The England players have been blown away.