I agree with you on this. That would see like a harsh penalty for a player who's been so loyal.

The club is in a position now where we must stop the player drain as it's already gone too far. Hansen has been a magnificent servant to the club but he's been payed for the privilege and a testimonial is a money sweetener at the end of the day.

1 year deals are no good to us and that's the bottom line IMO. It's hardly blackmail to offer the lad a 3 or 4 year deal.

Not really. Unless you knew he was going to get sent off. Expressing an opinion that Cross could do a job for us isn't insanity by any definition. Neither is that opinion invalidated by that sending off.

I maintain my opinion whilst hoping these kid props continue to prove me wrong. We will see who is right come Autumn but the fact is we must have by far the youngest, least experienced pack in the contenders for trophies. We have seen time and again how Leeds' experience comes to the fore at crucial times and that is experience we just don't have in our front rowers.

I agree with those who contend that we look set fair for the future (if we hang onto players like HH and Mossop) but IMHO our front row could well be too weak this season - HTH

Yes really.

I let it be known I didn't rate Cross and he wasn't what was required for the team - you obviously didn't see that before your "hindsight" post. Sunday was just another example of why I hold that opinion.

HTH.

Just because somebody is experienced it doesn't make them automatically good enough for Wigan.

I'd rather have a good young player then an average old one. At least you know their careers are going somewhere.

I don't agree with forcing a player to sign on for a 3 or 4 year contract in order to receive a testimonial. Are you saying if he doesn't sign he won't or shouldn't be granted a testimonial?

We're in an era where a contract needs to be looked at differently, they are broke regularly in all sports, just today LOD won't be seeing out his contract at Huddersfield.

I like the contract Sam is on, it's a realistic reflection of how to deal with a 'player drain'. 3 years of his 5 can't talk to any other club regardless of code, with an opportunity to set a deal up after 3 years. basically in effect we signed him to a 3 year deal with a option to play on. This grants the club the certainty that they will receive a fee for the player.

Basically sign the player to a deal which last longer than the time you expect him to be at the club, guarantee a fee.

The player drain is a club issue. Like Manchester Utd contracts need to be staggered to stop a group of first teams leaving at the same time, we've not yet figured this out.
Once we have a core set we will be able to make single signings per season which won't disrupt the team.
With the right ethos at the club bringing a new player up to speed will be much easier than integrating 2 new half backs in one season etc.

this is Harrison's 10th year playing for the first team as his first appearance was in 2004, If he is due and granted a testimonial it will happen in 2014 ( as per SOL, started in 2002 testimonial in 2012) At the moment from what I can gather Harrison is out of contract at the end on 2013, so if he does not sign for at least a further year for Wigan it would be very hard to arrange any functions if he is in the NRL.

I hope he does sign at least a 1 year extension and then gets the rewards of a testimonial year that he deserves.

I think that he'll sign a two or three year deal to stay at Wigan

He will be 28 at the end of this contract.
If he does re-sign, which I hope he will, I'd expect it to be longer than a one year deal.
At 28 maybe a three year deal with a further one year option.
A good player for Wigan and no trouble at all. Probably off the field he's low maintainance as well.
Good man H, get him re-signed!

I HOPE it's for 3 years as well......he just goes about putting in a solid performance week after week

I'm saying we want Hansen to stay for 3 or 4 years so that's the deal we should offer him. If he's here when his testimonial is due to take place then great and he'll deserve every penny he gets from it but what we can't afford to do is allow him to come to us and say 'I only want a one year deal' in the knowledge that it will see him through a testimonial and make him some extra cash to take to the NRL with him.

If Hansen just wanted the year I'd rather us look long term and say 'thanks but no thanks' and give that 3 or 4 year extension and first team game time to the likes of Hughes or Burke because after all the recent departures we now need to start being that bit more ruthless and think were the squad is going to be in 2,3,4 years time.

I suppose to sum up the testimonial is a side issue. Put a 3 or 4 year deal on the table and let him take it or leave it. Any testimonial will naturally take care of itself based on his decision.

It's up to HH really, I'm guessing a nice 3 year NRL contract will easily cover his Wigan wages and testimonial.

Surely not. One of the reasons you don't want Cross is that he got sent off last week? I'll listen to any argument about a players suitability or otherwise but I struggle to believe that. Hock, MM anyone?

I did miss your previous post so "hindsight" was wrong on my part. Apologies. Perhaps "gloating" would have been more appropriate?

Believe me jinkin jimmy, I know Andy and his opinion on Cross has never wavered since he was at Leeds. He has never rated him.

No, I've never said I didn't want Cross because he got sent off on Sunday. It was just [uanother[/u example of why I don't want him here. There are many reasons I don't want Cross:

- I don't rate him as a player (I posted this when he was here a couple of seasons ago as well as earlier in the thread)
- Based on what I've heard over this side of the hill as to why he left Leeds (which I've alluded to on here in the past)
- He certainly not someone who'd be good for the youngsters as some are making out, and Sunday was a good example of that. Stains were there for the taking and he potentially cost his side the game with his brain fart - not the actions a player with his experience should be doing.

As for "gloating", the term you were looking for was "another example of why I wouldn't have him anywhere near Wigan".

Ladies, this is supposed to be a rumours thread not a girl guides bickering thread.

It's a rumours AND SIGNINGS thread - it clearly says so on the title. People are allowed to talk about who'd they'd like to sign, and in the best traditions of public forums, others can disagree.

According to the MEN Luke Adamson formerly of Salford City Reds has joined us on a two-week trial.

I rated Luke while he was at Salford, he was a good solid line runner with decent defence to back it up.

I know SW was/is in the market for a new back rower but is Adamson the answer?

At least we can agree on something!
My ramblings on this actually started by me agreeing with someone mentioning fielden and cross but stu has disappeared from the argument which is a shame from my point of view. Or maybe you feel he couldn't do a job either? Anyhow, I wish these kids the best, ESP if we are looking to Lauaki to lead from the front.

I thought Adamson had gone to Bath. Another one not impressed with the dark side?

I'd have kept Fielden, but THAT is with the benefit of hindsight.

He played a lot of Union when he was younger as a centre so I anticipate he knew what he was going to. It's more likely he could not make an impact probably because he would struggle for a position these days in that code.

He is a player that has always impressed me. Really tough lad, decent carry very disciplined. Worth a punt to see how his face fits at Wigan.

Rated Luke Adamson at Salford, he's a tackling machine get him signed up!!! Much rather we signed him than Wood as Woods head isn't in the right place, he's past it and never has been anything better than average.

Adamson is a grafter and will put a shift in

I hear what you are saying regarding Adamson being a grafter and a tackling machine, but is that what Wigan need ?.
6 seasons at Salford, 172 appearances and 17 trys, he is 6ft tall and weighs 15st 4lbs.
With all due respect to the lad I just do not see how he can improve the Wigan squad, unless it is cost saving exercise
Maybe a sign of the times.

I see Salford are sniffing around Darrell Griffin, I remember we were interested in him a few years ago. Would we be again? He's a big unit and could feasibly come in on loan (if Leeds were willing).

Would he get in our 17 now?