I agree.

It seems a very Lenagan style signing in that it's a gamble but it'll be cheap so it doesn't overly matter if it's a success.

We're really going to struggle to progress whilst we keep going for bargain bin signings.

As Long has now gone to Hull [urlhttp://www.hullfc.com/hullfc/contents/?p=3524[/url

Does that leave Wigan in the frame for Matt Orford.

That's what I've just put in the Shaun Long thread.

If Hull and Wigan were the 2 sides in for Orford and Hull have now signed Long you can only presume we're in pole position but there will be other clubs in the hunt i'd imagine.

I can't see Warrington being a million miles off.

Orford to wigan

Myler to warrington

Orford will be staying at Manly.

Lets go for Myler.

Thats my gut feeling at the minute but it will probably turn out-

Myler to Wire

Orford to Wire

Some cheap deadleg Australian to Wigan

Thats the wory. Its time for IL to either sign quality as he has done in Gleeson and not in quality of average players who do not make us a better side.

Riddell will take time to settle and he might become a good player for us. But Mcilorum is a better player at this present time. We need a quality prop and a quality No.7 or we can really kiss next season goodbye whoever is in charge.

True.

By why get a 31/32 yrar old Orford when in 2 years time we'll need a new halfback?

We need a long term partnership at Wigan.

No offence, but you weren't saying this when arguing the case for us to sign 31-year-old Sean Long on the other thread.

Orford will stay at Manly, I'm led to believe his financial demands exceed what any English club is prepared to pay.

I dont understand this

We would be in the same position if we signed Long. so whys your opinion different towards Orford

there aint half some back peddling going on in this thread

What about signing Shenton now and moving Gleeson to 6. has always been good at standoff when i have seen him play.

either that or move Phelps to 6 and get an exellent fullback.

I still think a Prop is a must, Mr webb will do just nicely.

also if we were to confirm the signing of say Webb or o'meely in the next few weeks. would the ball start rolling with regards to the home office sorting out his visa application?. purley so we could see if it would be granted or not. this would allow us more time to search for a possible replacement.

Is Shenton available?

i very much doubt it

That's what I thought.

I suppose that any player is available if you're prepared to offer their club a big enough transfer fee. But given that Shenton's comfy at Cas, and we have other positions to fill as priorities, I can't see us going along that expensive and torturous route.

I heard a rumour on here while back that he could be however with most things on here I have doubts to its validity. It was more of a hypothetical post from me anyway. Saying that surely it would be less expensive to sign him from his current contract that it would be for the like of Thurston, Orford, Lockyer or the like.

The point I am trying to make is that we have 2 people in our squad who will be here next year in Gleeson and Phelps (to a lesser extent Pryce) all of which have played 6 during their careers (with varying amounts of experience). With the current group of forwards we have we will never see a true reflection of what the aforementioned players could do in the halfbacks because we rarely win the ruck and have the momentum, therefore robbing our backline of the space required to make a mark on the game. With the cash channelled into signing one or two world class Props and releasing one of our multitudes of 2nd rowers. This would in turn allow Prescott to move into the back row (a position i feel he would be more suited to because of his size and speed).
This would give us a better picture of what is required from our halfbacks. I fear even if we were to sign a top halfback we would never see the best of him because of our poor pack.

I mentioned Shenton because this would allow us to move Gleeson to 6 and because Shenton is (for my money anyway) one of the biggest prospect s in SL. Not to mention the fact that we do not give Gleeson the service he needs ATM (this is another argument tought!!)
Likewise if we were to splash the cash on a world class fullback we could allow Phelps a shot at the title.
Basically we have possible have these players sitting on our doorstep however we will never know until we sort the props out.

or we could scrub the idea of playing a new 6 and resign Smith on a larger contract. therfore saving cash on a 6 and use it for an extra Prop.

with smith at 7 and sam at 6 we have a true partnership that could last a long time. they compliment each other verywell IMO

I only stated getting Long would be a good signing if we also brought in Myler.

Orford would want more cash.

Regardless, the whole point was that Orford won't come to Wigan. Wigan offered Long a deal.

I only stated getting Long would be a good signing if we also brought in Myler.

Orford would want more cash.

Regardless, the whole point was that Orford won't come to Wigan. Wigan offered Long a deal.

How do you know this?

he cant say

??

Wow it will be weird not seeing long in a Stains shirt. Good signing for Hull in the short term (i.e a year) but IMO a two year deal is too much. Glad we didn't get him.

But the pressure is on now, not many top halfbacks available. Only Matt Orford really and possibly Dobson. Richie Myler if we want him we will have to make him available and for some reason I just can't see IL spending big again.

But the question has to be asked lets say we get Matt Orford - where does he fit into the squad?

Riddell is here for three years and Leuluai has had an extension. Michael McIlorum and Sam Tomkins you would hope wont be going anywhere so someone will have to be dropped every week. One of either Tomkins, Leuluai, McIlorum or Riddell because you wouldn't sign a player to then immediantly drop him would you?

One of those players will have to leave and I get the awful feeling it will be McIlorum.

We all know a prop is the priority but a half back is also needed.

Phelps at 6 for a season wouldn't be a bad idea IMO he would need to be given games at 6 this season though really. If we could get Myler in for 2011 then I wouldn't be too bothered about seeing Phelps at 6 for a season.

2010

Roberts
Ainscough Gleeson Carmont Pat
Phelps Sam
Fielden McIlorum *NEW PROP*
Hock Lockers
Joel

Feka Prescott Tommy Hansen/Mossop

2011

Roberts
Ainscough Gleeson Carmont/*NEW CENTRE* Pat
Sam Myler
*NEW PROP* McIlorum *NEW PROP*
Hock Lockers
Joel

Feka Prescott Tommy Mossop

That would show clear signs of improvement and move us in the direction of success