[quote="TKOR":n8p89xfb]Looking at the comments regarding Vaughn, he seems to be a like for like replacement for Isa. Covers a couple of positions, real competitor and will (eventually) bring a bit of leadership as well. I do think however that we need a "big name" or star buy in 2026 to keep things fresh.[/quote:n8p89xfb] Would make sense Vaughan coming now. Can’t see a big name coming in unless someone unexpected leaves. Douglas is off contract (maybe replaced by Sambo?) Byrne is going to Wire but it’s looking like Hill will be the replacement (with McDermott etc back filling) Keighran is the big one, I’m not 100% sure Eckerlsey can slot straight in there but hopefully we’ll know during the year. Don’t think we’re in a place to sign a big player.

Agree with all of that. We really struggled against Wire's kids last year, albeit with 12 men. There's a post on Redvee that suggests we are essentially giving Vaughan a uni scholarship and other incentives. Not sure how that works with the salary cap but you can see why it has tempted him across. Edit: was meant to quote NSW.

Aside from all the Saints and Wigan rivalries, this move highlights how determined Danson seems to be to ensure Wigan keep being successful, not only in the short term but in the longer term also. Looking at what Stu was saying, it sounds like even more of an emphasis is being placed on getting the very best kids as well, so the academy should keep churning them out. I have no doubt if any of Wigans best players leave then we'll see top quality replacements brought. This cannot be the Maurice Lindsay era all over again due to the salary cap but having the finance to spend as much as is allowed and to keep bringing the best juniors to the club will make sure we continue to be there or thereabouts.

Stu, I'd be interested in seeing the "he's not all that comments" on Vaughan. I don't remember anything specifically relating to him but that's not to say there haven't been any. I think the comments have been more general and centred around Saints seeming reliance on the 'golden generation' and the fact that it's crazy to put your eggs in that particular basket. These signings actually go some way to proving that as there's two straight away who won't be having long first team careers at Saints (or however Mike Rush phrased it). Others may yet follow suit at some stage and then there's the usual ones that flatter to deceive etc. You mention the other side of the negotiations. Was this conducting them by message as rumoured on Redvee or something more?

[quote="NickyKiss":3w0rlnml]Aside from all the Saints and Wigan rivalries, this move highlights how determined Danson seems to be to ensure Wigan keep being successful, not only in the short term but in the longer term also. Looking at what Stu was saying, it sounds like even more of an emphasis is being placed on getting the very best kids as well, so the academy should keep churning them out. I have no doubt if any of Wigans best players leave then we'll see top quality replacements brought. This cannot be the Maurice Lindsay era all over again due to the salary cap but having the finance to spend as much as is allowed and to keep bringing the best juniors to the club will make sure we continue to be there or thereabouts.[/quote:3w0rlnml] I was told very early on re Danson’s ownership that he was committed to making our academy the best set up in the country and that he funded a lot of the cost associated with this from the outset with his links to the club. It’s interesting that in recent years more and more of the scholarship lads are from outside of the town. In the near future it wouldn’t surprise me if we start to pick up a few RU lads as well.

[quote="Stu M":130ccu7m]One of the reasons I come on here is to get different opinions, its balanced and nice to see. You make some good points but our frustrations are more wide ranging. Giving 3 year deals to Walmsley (old and can't stay fit) Lomax (gone as a player now) and then extending Hurrell after a serious injury and bigger than ever is beyond negligence. Percival is another who can't stay fit and we are going into a season with no announcements of Lees and Knowles yet when we all know Knowles is off. They wont want to tell us as its his testimonial year. To have 18 players OOC at the end of the season is staggeringly incompetent. This from the same club that used to make ruthless decisions, letting Coote go because Welsby was coming through etc. We've lost that connection with the fans that Holbrook brought in, the community stuff has gone. We have a media department that tells us very little and when it does, articles are littered with typos and errors. Its amateurish at best. On and off the field we've massively regressed (Liverpool women agreement apart) Don't get me wrong it always looks worse when our biggest rivals can't do anything wrong but there's a lot wrong with us at the moment.[/quote:130ccu7m] At the moment it looks like our longer term planning is much more focused than yours but it doesn’t guarantee that it will deliver success. I think that you will get off to flyer this season and if you do the current negativity will decrease pretty rapidly. From the outside looking in it looks like you have put a significant amount of faith in your youngsters which with Stephen’s, Whitby and Robertson you could have 3 very special players. For the coming season you need a relatively injury free season to obtain some silverware and I wouldn’t underestimate the value of Briers in transforming your style of play and ability to win crucial games. Don’t get me wrong I’d much sooner be in our position than yours but if a week is a long time in politics and 2 or 3 wins on the bounce can totally transform the vibes throughout the club. For all of the above I’m still enjoying the “fallout” that the signings have delivered but I’m also aware that success in sport is cyclical but hopefully our cycle has several seasons to go before we get overtaken. Interesting times.

[quote="Phuzzy":3rjckgei] You mention the other side of the negotiations. Was this conducting them by message as rumoured on Redvee or something more?[/quote:3rjckgei] Not in relation to how the negotiations were conducted, more in a reason for him leaving. Ordinarily I wouldn't give it much credence as it could be sour grapes but its come from two separate people who are well connected at Saints so its made me think. Regardless of that there's no point trying to make out we haven't had our pants pulled down. We have. It's not a Connolly or Platt situation but if he goes on to have a great career then we will have egg on our face.

[quote="Itchy Arsenal":n58l5mmh]At the moment it looks like our longer term planning is much more focused than yours but it doesn’t guarantee that it will deliver success. I think that you will get off to flyer this season and if you do the current negativity will decrease pretty rapidly. From the outside looking in it looks like you have put a significant amount of faith in your youngsters which with Stephen’s, Whitby and Robertson you could have 3 very special players. For the coming season you need a relatively injury free season to obtain some silverware and I wouldn’t underestimate the value of Briers in transforming your style of play and ability to win crucial games. Don’t get me wrong I’d much sooner be in our position than yours but if a week is a long time in politics and 2 or 3 wins on the bounce can totally transform the vibes throughout the club. For all of the above I’m still enjoying the “fallout” that the signings have delivered but I’m also aware that success in sport is cyclical but hopefully our cycle has several seasons to go before we get overtaken. Interesting times.[/quote:n58l5mmh] You'll probably sign Robertson now... In all seriousness those 3 are very good players and I believe Stephens has signed a new 4 year deal. Robertson has been training at centre pre-season and again this has been offered up as a reason for Vaughan's disillusionment in that he is not starting. I think this Salford game in R1 is huge. Lose that and the atmosphere will very quickly become toxic. Depending on what team Salford are able to field will make a huge difference. If the takeover isn't complete then they can't play most of the players is my understanding. With a full strength team they are more than capable of beating us and Wellens plans of only having one pre-season friendly and resting half of the team will come back big time to bite him.

[quote="Itchy Arsenal":1lva10cn]I was told very early on re Danson’s ownership that he was committed to making our academy the best set up in the country and that he funded a lot of the cost associated with this from the outset with his links to the club. It’s interesting that in recent years more and more of the scholarship lads are from outside of the town. In the near future it wouldn’t surprise me if we start to pick up a few RU lads as well.[/quote:1lva10cn] It's a great time to be a Wigan fan, that's for sure. I see the odd comment on social media and on various forums about how we're doing things that wouldn't have happened under Lenagan but that's unfair IMO. He didn't have the wealth of Danson and should be thanked for selling the club on to a guy who seems to not only care about it but has the finance to help make it successful. He did many important things for Wigan Lenagan but that is probably the biggest of the lot.

[quote="NickyKiss":19bbk8wb]It's a great time to be a Wigan fan, that's for sure. I see the odd comment on social media and on various forums about how we're doing things that wouldn't have happened under Lenagan but that's unfair IMO. He didn't have the wealth of Danson and should be thanked for selling the club on to a guy who seems to not only care about it but has the finance to help make it successful. He did many important things for Wigan Lenagan but that is probably the biggest of the lot.[/quote:19bbk8wb] Without IL I dread to think where we would be today. When he purchased us I was pretty amazed because the club was in a terrible state with very limited income streams. He turned the club around, made some auspicious coaching appointments and mentored KR into becoming an excellent CEO. Danson was the cherry on top.

[quote="Stu M":3q2hrf9t]You'll probably sign Robertson now... In all seriousness those 3 are very good players and I believe Stephens has signed a new 4 year deal. Robertson has been training at centre pre-season and again this has been offered up as a reason for Vaughan's disillusionment in that he is not starting. I think this Salford game in R1 is huge. Lose that and the atmosphere will very quickly become toxic. Depending on what team Salford are able to field will make a huge difference. If the takeover isn't complete then they can't play most of the players is my understanding. With a full strength team they are more than capable of beating us and Wellens plans of only having one pre-season friendly and resting half of the team will come back big time to bite him.[/quote:3q2hrf9t] Irrespective of what team Salford have out I think that you will give them a proper beating. Your first 3 games are heaven sent in terms of getting off to a good start. I’m pretty confident that you will be top of the table after 3 rounds. I don’t think that you will finish top come the end of the season but you will finish in the top 4 unless you have some real bad luck on the injuries front.

Seems like a media blackout re. the two Saints lads, wonder if the clubs are negotiating a deal to release them for this season, Saints won't want to spend anymore time/cash on their development and Wigan won't want them out of a pro environment for 12 months

[quote="Itchy Arsenal":1lj5dn69]Irrespective of what team Salford have out I think that you will give them a proper beating. Your first 3 games are heaven sent in terms of getting off to a good start. I’m pretty confident that you will be top of the table after 3 rounds. I don’t think that you will finish top come the end of the season but you will finish in the top 4 unless you have some real bad luck on the injuries front.[/quote:1lj5dn69] I don’t think Salford is a walk in the park as made out. They are a decent side and I imagine will be itching to settle things down on the pitch. I can see Saints getting beat in that game as they did in the pre season game with them

JV is an interesting one, I have read that he is England Academy captain and I recall on this forum that he caught the eye in the Reserves GF against us at centre.

[quote="WWste":vlalvwq3]I don’t think Salford is a walk in the park as made out. They are a decent side and I imagine will be itching to settle things down on the pitch. I can see Saints getting beat in that game as they did in the pre season game with them[/quote:vlalvwq3] When Salford have their full team out and are playing confidently, they're a very strong side. Rumours floating around a takeover might be announced tomorrow - if that's the case and Salford can keep their squad together then they'll be competing for the playoffs again if not top 4.